THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

(NOVEL)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Alfred A. Knopf, 2007).

Reviewed by Lisa Proehl

The Book Thief is set in Nazi Germany, and explores Liesel Meminger’s relationship with a Jewish man, Max, who hides in the basement of her home during part of World War ll. As their friendship deepens, he shares his life story through a series of sketches.

This is a beautifully written story, interestingly narrated by Death, which adds to the depth of the novel. The story reveals the brutality and horror of the war, while at the same time expressing the beauty of words, art, literature, and friendship. Liesel learns the great value of knowing how to read, and of having a voice. She also believes that words are what hold the country under the power of Hitler and the Nazi party. She sees literature as being partly responsible for the upheaval, but also as her escape from it. Words can cause destruction and peace. So can humans.

How do these two sides of humanity coexist? As Death reveals at the end of the novel, “I am haunted by humans.”

I couldn’t put this book down; I highly recommend it.


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