This is a story about a young girl growing up in the middle of World War II Nazi Germany, told from the perspective of death. It sounds a little depressing, I know. To be honest, it took me a while to get into it but its extremely captivating in a way that makes it easy to relate to the character.
Liesel Meminger, our heroine if you will, is a child who is put into the foster system by her mother, in order to save her from being punished for having communist parents. Just when you think Liesel is safe, out of trouble, and wondering where else the book is going to go, Liesel's family hides a Jew in their basement. Zusak keeps you on the edge of your seat for the duration of the book. If you're not wondering about how things could get worse, or when the Meminger's are going to be caught, then you're thinking about the subtle love story between Liesel and her neighbour, and if their young, undiscovered love is going to get chance to bloom before harm befalls them.
Zusak lures you in with a false sense of security, and breaks your heart when you least expect it. The Book Thief provides readers with a heartfelt, yet desolate glimpse into the life of a young girl with an enormous heart. It has just the right amount of suspense, and intrigue to keep you captivated, but provides a subtle romance and depth that embeds itself into your heart.
As they walked past the precarious town hall shadows, the book thief winced.
"What's wrong?" Papa asked.
"Nothing."
Quite a few things, however, were most definitely wrong.
Smoke was rising out of Liesel's collar.
A necklace of sweat had formed around her throat.
Beneath her shirt, a book was eating her up. (Page 122)
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