Group Discussion: The Book Thief

Hello my readers!

Today I'm posting a reflection of my group's discussion of Markus Zusak's novel The Book Thief.  If you have not read the book, there will be spoilers in this post.  You have been warned.

The Book Thief takes place in a German town during World War II.  It's great in that it gives a different aspect of World War II from the typical view we as readers get in the world of fiction.  Instead of focusing on the Nazis and on the death camps, The Book Thief instead focuses on what life was like for a family living in the thick of it.  It shows things like how survival depended on being part of the Nazi party even if someone didn't agree or believe in it, and the risks involved with day to day life.  It shows that there are two sides to every story and that to save yourself, sometimes impossible choices must be made.

One of the biggest things about The Book Thief is the use of narrator.  Death is our narrator through the novel and acts as an omnipresent force remembering his time during the war.  Zusak has Death repeat ideas and themes throughout the book, telling readers about things before they happen.  When I read The Book Thief, I felt a little frustrated with this because for me, it didn't make things such as bombings and character deaths leave as much of an impact.  But through group discussion, it came to light that by having Death foreshadow and repeat so much actually allows young adult readers to absorb the full impact of the situation more.  They see it coming and they still have to experience it.  Now that I understand that technique, I'm planning on re-reading the book.

Another interesting thing about The Book Thief is the title.  Yes, the main character steals books.  But Zusak is referring to more than just her.  The story is full of people who steal books.  Max, the Jew that Lisel's family takes in, has a stolen copy of Mein Kampf that he ends up writing a new story over.  Lisel of course steals books.  And even Hitler, through organized book burnings, stole books during the war.  If you look at The Book Thief with those thoughts in mind, it opens a whole other dimension to the tale.

Through our discussion, my group ultimately decided that The Book Thief is like an onion.  It has so many layers that you need to read it multiple times.  Each time you read it, your experiences and knowledge causes it to add another dimension of meaning.  It's a great book that makes World War II accessible to young adults in a way that is more meaningful and intimate than a documentary or textbook can do.

The Book Thief is a fantastic read that I would recommend to anyone in high school or beyond.

What do you think, dear readers?

~Meaghan

Classic Novel 2: The Book Thief

Hello readers!

Today I'm going to be giving my review of Markus Zusak's novel The Book Thief.

The Book Thief has been around for a little while and was a book I was actually recommended for reading when I was in upper high school.  I never got around to reading it.  In hindsight, I'm not sure why I didn't.  The story takes places during World War II in Nazi Germany, which is something I've always been interested in.  The only thing I can figure the recommendation came during a period where I wasn't reading much.

I was incredibly pleased to read The Book Thief for this literature class, and the book did not disappoint me.  As mentioned above, the story takes place in a Nazi Germany town.  Most of the action occurs on Himmel Street, which translates into Heaven Street.  The narrator is an omnipresent individual (I won't spoil for you who the narrator is in this post) and tells us (the readers) the story of Lisel, a young girl living with a foster family.

The town they reside in is very pro-Hitler.  Lisel is forced to participate in the Hitler Youth program and the activities they put on.  These contain, among other things, book burnings.  Lisel doesn't know how to read in the beginning of the story, but she begins stealing books anyway.  As the story progresses, her foster father begins to teach her to read in the basement of their home, until Lisel is reading on her own and able to devour all the books she's stolen.

Through events out of her control - including hiding a Jewish man in the basement, the bomb threats that begin constantly plaguing the street, and the increasing stress from Hitler - we experience Lisel's growth and struggles.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Book Thief.  It brought a refreshing take on World War II by showing a different side that we rarely get to see.  The book is funny, smart, and emotional.  There were parts where I felt the narrator was over explaining their intentions, but I do understand why Zusak chose to write it that way.  I highly recommend The Book Thief for high schoolers and adults alike.

What are your thoughts on The Book Thief?

~Meaghan

P.S. : If you want more information on this book or on Markus Zusak, his website can be found here.