BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The Book Thief
The Book Thief
By Markus Zusak.
By Markus Zusak.
Zeehan Rahman Hazarika
Zeehan Rahman Hazarika
Cotton University
Cotton University
“One was the book thief. The other stole the sky.”
“One was the book thief. The other stole the sky.”
Written by Markus Zusak and first published in 2005, The Book Thief
Written by Markus Zusak and first published in 2005, The Book Thief
tells the story of nine year old Liesel Meminger, as she comes of age
tells the story of nine year old Liesel Meminger, as she comes of age
in Nazi Germany during the Second World War; from the perspective
in Nazi Germany during the Second World War; from the perspective
of Death itself. The novel develops through the war years, exposed
of Death itself. The novel develops through the war years, exposed
to the horrors of Nazi regime. The protagonist is caught between her
to the horrors of Nazi regime. The protagonist is caught between her
childhood innocence and the maturity demanded by the devastating
childhood innocence and the maturity demanded by the devastating
atmosphere around her.
atmosphere around her.
Set in the fictional German town of Molching, we meet Liesel initially
Set in the fictional German town of Molching, we meet Liesel initially
traumatized by her brother’s untimely death and separation from
traumatized by her brother’s untimely death and separation from
her family, as she moves in with foster parents, Hans and Rosa
her family, as she moves in with foster parents, Hans and Rosa
Hubermann. Despite Hans' lack of work and Rosa's sharp tongue,
Hubermann. Despite Hans' lack of work and Rosa's sharp tongue,
their home becomes a loving sanctuary for her. Liesel, first steals a
their home becomes a loving sanctuary for her. Liesel, first steals a
book at her brother’s funeral; which later results in a series of thefts.
book at her brother’s funeral; which later results in a series of thefts.
With the help of her foster father, she learns to read. She later
With the help of her foster father, she learns to read. She later
adjusts to the new life and finds a friend in the neighborhood’s Jesse
adjusts to the new life and finds a friend in the neighborhood’s Jesse
Owen fanatic, Rudy Steiner. As her obsession with books grows, the
Owen fanatic, Rudy Steiner. As her obsession with books grows, the
war closes in, air raids began and Hans hides a Jewish man in their
war closes in, air raids began and Hans hides a Jewish man in their
basement. While their struggles proceed, Death takes in more and
basement. While their struggles proceed, Death takes in more and
more souls everyday.
more souls everyday.
The most interesting aspect of the novel is Death's narration, who is
The most interesting aspect of the novel is Death's narration, who is
not portrayed as the Grim Reaper, rather as a humorous, informative
not portrayed as the Grim Reaper, rather as a humorous, informative
and curious character fascinated by humans and the colours of the
and curious character fascinated by humans and the colours of the
world. He doesn’t enjoy stealing lives, but takes pride in it. At one
world. He doesn’t enjoy stealing lives, but takes pride in it. At one
point he mentions that “Even Death has a heart.”
point he mentions that “Even Death has a heart.”
Zusak provides an array of characters with their distinctive character
Zusak provides an array of characters with their distinctive character
arcs, most interesting of them being those of Liesel and Max, the
arcs, most interesting of them being those of Liesel and Max, the
Jewish man protected by Hans, who has connection to his past.
Jewish man protected by Hans, who has connection to his past.
Liesel's first book theft serves a connection to her birth family, who
Liesel's first book theft serves a connection to her birth family, who
“abandons” her. Later on, her hunger for books increases as the
“abandons” her. Later on, her hunger for books increases as the
enjoys the power of words. Once, she steals a smoldering book from
enjoys the power of words. Once, she steals a smoldering book from
a book burning and hides it beneath her shirt which burns her skin.
a book burning and hides it beneath her shirt which burns her skin.
As for Max, he shares the same connection with words. He white
As for Max, he shares the same connection with words. He white
paints the books of the Mein Kampf, and writes a story for Liesel, this
paints the books of the Mein Kampf, and writes a story for Liesel, this
act of his, probably signifies that words have to power to change
act of his, probably signifies that words have to power to change
lives. Ironically, this book holds a key to Max's life. The book
lives. Ironically, this book holds a key to Max's life. The book
also depicts the different facades of the Germans. Hans is the kind eyed accordion player and Rosa, though foul mouthed had the
also depicts the different facades of the Germans. Hans is the kind eyed accordion player and Rosa, though foul mouthed had the
biggest heart. Apart from Rudy Steiner, Ilsa Hermann is another
biggest heart. Apart from Rudy Steiner, Ilsa Hermann is another
character who forms a bond with Liesel.
character who forms a bond with Liesel.
Unlike other war novels, Zusak provides a different perspective
Unlike other war novels, Zusak provides a different perspective
towards the impact of wars on ordinary lives. It is mostly
towards the impact of wars on ordinary lives. It is mostly
suspenseful, foreshadowed by Death's sympathetic description. The
suspenseful, foreshadowed by Death's sympathetic description. The
author's careful usage of metaphors, symbolism, and its lyrical and
author's careful usage of metaphors, symbolism, and its lyrical and
poetic writing style makes it a feast for the readers, ignoring the
poetic writing style makes it a feast for the readers, ignoring the
book's thickness. Hence, I would clearly recommend people,
book's thickness. Hence, I would clearly recommend people,
especially those who are into the historical fiction genre to read this
especially those who are into the historical fiction genre to read this
book, as it provides an emotional punch in the most intellectual yet
book, as it provides an emotional punch in the most intellectual yet
artistic way possible.
artistic way possible.