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Miranda Reads's Reviews > The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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really liked it
bookshelves: audiobook

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This one is a long book. But was it worth all that paper?

for my video review of the big bois in my life.
The Written Review:
description

I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.
Liesel, an orphaned girl, is sent to live with a foster family right before the Nazi's take over Germany.

She has a peculiar attachment to books, her first being a gravedigger's manual that she picks up during her brother's funeral.

Death takes an interest in her and her books on that day and follows her, sometimes constantly and sometimes at a distance.

There's just something so...fascinating...about her that Death cannot stay away.

Meanwhile Liesel slowly grows up in the heart of Nazi Germany.

Her adoptive Papa and Mama make her bleak life bearable. But Rudy, her best friend, makes everything right in this world.
A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.
But their idyllic lives cannot stay that way forever. Food shortages are rampart, money becomes ever tighter and Papa's son believes every word from Hitler.

And throughout all of this, Death watches.... and waits.
Even death has a heart.
Whew. I have avoided this one for so long...and I'm so glad that I finally took the plunge.

Normally, I dislike most books/movies/games set in Nazi Germany.

I absolutely hate anything that turns that much pain and sorrow into a gimmick to sell more of the product. I feel that a majority of that entertainment field both cheapens the experience and is hugely disrespectful to the victims.

I feel like this subject should be treated delicately - and there are very few bits of media that I feel do it justice.

The Book Thief was just absolutely perfect in that sense. This book was just the right mixture of joys and sorrows, of highs and lows, and of good and evil.

I loved Liesel and the way she grew up against the ever-present tide of Nazis.

The way she and her family struggled against the world, by hiding a Jew or showing sympathy, really made this book shine.

Death made an interesting perspective, though I wish the book would have been narrated more from inside his head.

Overall, loved this one. Though (and this may be just me), but am I the only one disappointed by the title?

I really was expecting a bit more book-thievery...instead Liesel was (mostly) given the very few books that she "steals".

Audiobook Comments
Extremely well-read - an absolute delight to listen to!

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Reading Progress

September 17, 2018 – Shelved
October 1, 2018 – Started Reading
October 10, 2018 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-48 of 48 (48 new)

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peachygirl Great review! Hoping to read this one soon.


Miranda Reads peachygirl wrote: "Great review! Hoping to read this one soon."

Definitely tell me what you think!


message 3: by Rajeswari (new) - added it

Rajeswari Roy It is indeed a beautiful book...💓


message 4: by Ana (new) - added it

Ana Guerra Amazing review Miranda! I don't like books set in Nazi Germany either, but might give this one a try :)


Miranda Reads Rajeswari wrote: "It is indeed a beautiful book...💓"

Totally agree


Miranda Reads Ana wrote: "Amazing review Miranda! I don't like books set in Nazi Germany either, but might give this one a try :)"

I think it was very tastefully done


Bharath Great review. I am reminded of Mila 18 by Leon Uris which is painful but very well written. Do look it up..


message 8: by KAS (new)

KAS Glad you finally decided to pick this one up and ended up loving it, Miranda ;) Excellent review, as always!! ❤️💚❤️


message 9: by Dean (new) - added it

Dean Glad you loved this so much, Miranda!!!


message 10: by Paula (new)

Paula K Brilliant review, Miranda!🎄


message 11: by Kim (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kim I happen to be reading it now. Borrowed from the library. I totally agree with your review.


Elithanathile Yes, but if she were caught with those books, she likely would have been executed as a sympathizer to the Jews [quite a few people who tried to help the Jews WERE in fact executed]! The point wasn't "thievery" as much as her owning something precious she shouldn't have had in her possession to begin with (as the nazis were burning all these books at the time)! These books were as good as "stolen" in the eyes of the nazis!
Also, like any book referencing the horrors of the Holocaust, this wasn't "set" in nazi germany as much as it was ABOUT nazi germany and the unspeakable horrors and tragedies of the Holocaust!!
I've taken it upon myself to read many Holocaust books [I wholeheartedly believe it's important to know and to NEVER EVER forget], and this one, to ME, was absolutely brilliant! I adored how Zusak approached this topic with grace, humility, respect, TRUTH, and kindness! It's incredibly difficult to believe kindness existed back then, amidst all the unspeakable hatred and horror, but the very rare and the very few did exist, and it's wonderful to see here!!


Miranda Reads Bharath wrote: "Great review. I am reminded of Mila 18 by Leon Uris which is painful but very well written. Do look it up.."

Thank you for the suggestion!


Miranda Reads KAS wrote: "Glad you finally decided to pick this one up and ended up loving it, Miranda ;) Excellent review, as always!! ❤️💚❤️"

Thank you KAS


Miranda Reads Dean wrote: "Glad you loved this so much, Miranda!!!"

Awwww, thanks! :)


Miranda Reads Paula wrote: "Brilliant review, Miranda!🎄"

Thanks!!


Miranda Reads Kimberly wrote: "I happen to be reading it now. Borrowed from the library. I totally agree with your review."

Let me know what you think when you finished it!


Miranda Reads *~*~*Hyperion & Interabang*~*~* wrote: "Yes, but if she were caught with those books, she likely would have been executed as a sympathizer to the Jews [quite a few people who tried to help the Jews WERE in fact executed]! The point wasn'..."

All excellent points. Definitely agree!


BrandyD I simply adore this book.


Felicia I love Liesel 💖 terrific review, Miranda


Miranda Reads Brandy wrote: "I simply adore this book."

It's soooooo good


Miranda Reads Felicia wrote: "I love Liesel 💖 terrific review, Miranda"

Agreed and thank you!


message 23: by Constantine (new) - added it

Constantine Nice review Miranda. I was supposed to read this in 2018, but now I hope in 2019 that will happen.


message 24: by Liz (new) - rated it 5 stars

Liz Great review. I started this book last week but have put it down until next week, when I'll get the peace to read it.


Yours Truly, Yejin-ah~ thanks Miranda


BrandyD I love the “narrator� of this book. Unexpected and it really works with the story, gives it a unique perspective with great depth.


Miranda Reads Constantine wrote: "Nice review Miranda. I was supposed to read this in 2018, but now I hope in 2019 that will happen."

Good luck!


Miranda Reads Liz wrote: "Great review. I started this book last week but have put it down until next week, when I'll get the peace to read it."

I hope you enjoy it!


Miranda Reads Sarah McCoy wrote: "thanks Miranda"

You're welcome :)


Miranda Reads Brandy wrote: "I love the “narrator� of this book. Unexpected and it really works with the story, gives it a unique perspective with great depth."

It really was a unique experience


Kaylee Walterbach You may have convinced me to finally read this! I had no idea it’s narrated from death’s perspective


Miranda Reads ⋯Kaylee wrote: "You may have convinced me to finally read this! I had no idea it’s narrated from death’s perspective"

Definitely check it out.... but be prepared for tears!


Yours Truly, Yejin-ah~ thanks Miranda

I really love this book its amazing
but I recently cant find the book in stores . but now I have my kindle I will surely have this book

I have noticed that everyone who comes to that store takes that book only so no chances that I would take
but kindle can do that

I am happy


Miranda Reads That is good!!


BrandyD Yes, be ready for tears. Have some tissues handy because it’s gonna be one of those ugly cries!


Miranda Reads Totalllllllllly agree. I completely lost it when Liesal was in the basement when the bomb dropped


message 37: by Rosemiya (new) - added it

Rosemiya I started this book, but a few days later got distracted by my tbr. I might start reading it again...


Angieleigh I am currently listening to it. I'm not a fan of the narrator, but he's not too horrible. I started off not really liking this book, but I've gotten more interested as it goes on. I am absolutely dreading the ending...I can't imagine that Max is never discovered. I have about 4.5 audio chapters left to go.


Whitney Great review!! Glad you liked it!


Mikayla Great review, Miranda!


Hannah Great review of a fantastic book! :)


Samiksha Bhattacharjee I agree, this book was really good!


message 43: by Linda (new) - added it

Linda Miranda. Wonderful review. I've been on the fence for a long time about this one. You've convinced me to give it a go.


Audrey It felt rather gimmicky and emotionally manipulative to me.


Nocturnalux I'm in two minds about this one. In a way, I found it highly engaging while I was reading it. Yet I do think it was emotionally manipulative and German reviewers have made a very strong case for the extremely unlikely depiction of Germany, starting with the slang.


Audrey Interesting!


Kanwar Rajinder Great book. Have read about half. Nice review of the book


message 48: by Joshua (new) - added it

Joshua no


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