Book Recommendation: The Book Thief

I suppose I am behind as far as this one is concerned.  It’s a book that I have heard talked about for some time now.  I also recently found out there is a movie based on the book, too.

I’m not sure why it took so long to get to it, other than my “to read” list seems to grow daily.  It has been on my list for awhile and within the last month or so, something pulled me to it.

I had been in a Barnes and Noble recently getting a gift card for a friend’s birthday and saw the book front and center when I walked in.  There were a couple people there talking about it, saying good things.  Then, on a Walmart trip a week ago, I saw someone with it in her hands by the book shelves.  I figured it was time to read it.

Depending on who you talk to it is either a Young Adult book or it isn’t.  I never felt like it was.  At the same time, reviews were either really good or really bad (I saw more good than bad).  It’s not a fast read, but I never felt like it was too slow.

Here is the Goodreads synopsis:

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel’s foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel’s world is both opened up, and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

The book is narrated by Death.  He tells the story and gives many of the details.  There are likeable characters and some not so much. 

What I found interesting about this particular book was that it is not written from the perspective of a Jewish person as most World War 2 books are.  The main characters are almost all German.  It was interesting to read it this way.

There were a few things in the book that I didn’t care for, but nothing that takes away from a good story.  I hope to be able to watch the movie version in the coming week, but am hesitant because I know what Hollywood tends to do to books.

If you do choose to read this, I’d love to know your thoughts!