The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak was an extremely touching novel. There are many reasons I completely fell in love with this book, but I’ll give you my top three.

1. The book is narrated by Death.
Death personified makes for a fascinating read. Death has such an eloquent way of describing things. Everything is a color. He foreshadows but also flashes back. He frequently makes interesting side notes. He tells Leisel Meminger’s story through his own lens.

2. Leisel Meminger, book thief, protagonist of the novel.
Leisel is a little bit of everything. She is loyal, she is sensitive, she is strong, she is smart, she is stubborn, she is eager. She has a fierce love of words.

3. Time period – WWII, Nazi Germany.
I just don’t think this book would be the same if it didn’t take place during WWII. Leisel Meminger’s story is special, because she formed a special relationship with a Jew who hid in her basement. Leisel saw and experienced many things a young girl should never see or experience.

This book was such a beautiful (yet somewhat tragic) tale about friendship and love and the power of words.

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