Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Knopf Books For Young Readers (March 14, 2006)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Historical/Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!

Book Description:
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

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I am always up for something out of the norm. There is just something to be said about a well written book that isn't like the others.

A book narrated by Death himself during a time when all the world knew was heartache and destruction. 

I could no sooner pick a favorite character in the story than I could pick a favorite child. They were all strong, fabulous, scared, damaged, and most of all, good.

To have Death be the narrator was indeed, perfect. His voice, while unattached at times was also humorous and whether he would admit it or not, admirable. He admired the living, they amused him, they fascinated him and in some cases, he even felt for them. 

I loved the whole feel of this book. The very fact that it makes us not just think about the soldiers of Germany and all the destruction that they caused but the actual living and breathing people of Germany as well. Those that adored Hitler and those that despised him. Those that supported him and those that deceived him. The Jewish inhabitants who lived in constant fear either in hiding or those being mistreated and dying in the concentration camps. Either way you look at it, this was a dark time in our worlds history but still a time were people banned together and got strength from one another. A time when they didn't give up and hope was still out there in the faces of those they loved.

This isn't just The Book Thief's story, this is a story about the effects of war, hunger, hatred, prejudice, greed, friendship, love, promises, deception, and growth. This is a story about those that succumbed to the harshness, the dangers and the death and those that triumphed over it all. Those that still knew what was good and right and at great cost and sacrifice helped those in need. This is a story about  the inhabitants of Himmel Street.

This was so captivating, from the very first page it had my attention, my devotion and my interest. It was extremely hard to put down and even though this is a 550 plus book, I read it in a day, I couldn't help it. I had to know how it all came together and how it all ended for Leisel, her family and friends.

This isn't an easy read. It is full of the darkness that was the time and some scenes are pretty harsh but my love for this story stems from the fact that with the harshness came lightness and new beginnings  as well. 

This was beautifully crafted and presented and will be one of those stories that stays with me for a very long time.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*