The Book Thief

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Doubleday, 2007

This is a book that actually deserves all the hype and brouhaha that has surrounded it. However, because of it, I was a bit wary and prepared to be disappointed when I started reading it. Death is our narrator and he turns out to be quite a likable fellow, albeit with an unpopular job. He tells the story of one of his favourite humans, Liesel Meminger who arrives as a foster child to a couple outside Munich at the beginning of WWII. Set in an evil time, this is a novel with a surprising number of good people. This is a relief since books about this era tend to bury themselves in horror and misery. The circumstances would be horrible enough one would think. The story and narrative of this novel are good, but the real reason you should read it is the evocative language! Quite a treat, in other words. Just try to steer clear of all the hype before reading it so this does not kill it for you.