Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief follows the life of a little girl named Liesel Meminger, who, during the Second World War, is made to feel as though she has no place in Nazi Germany. Separated from her mother at a young age, Liesel finds herself prematurely accustomed to the feeling of loss. The novel has themes surrounding war, grief, friendship & morality.

Though it took myself a while to read, this novel wasted no time in introducing characters that I believe I won’t forget for a very long time yet:

Hans Hubermann, a shining example of what it means to be an inspiring & motivating father…

Rudy Steiner, the boy next door who showed unwavering loyalty towards his sport, friends & family…

& Max Vandenburg, the one with patience similar to that of a saint.

What I continue to find most intriguing about this book is the narrative. The book is told from the perspective of Death. Needless to say, that in itself made for a highly immersive read as the narrator would foreshadow events that would later take place. With that said, the spoilers meant little when what Death hinted at would actually transpire – nothing could have stopped those tears from surfacing. Ironically, I resented not being properly prepared for what was to come.

A truly unforgettable tale, The Book Thief needs to be read if you want firsthand insight into a country that is riddled with the constant fear of being bombed, what it is like to say goodbye to somebody without knowing if it’s the last time you’ll be in their company & what fierce loyalty resembles. I’ll sorely miss following Liesel in her journey to overcoming this time in her life she probably wishes she’d never lived.

Yours tearfully,

Sheeza

Trigger warning: violence, war, suicide