Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It’s just a small story really, about, among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel 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 before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

I would give it 5 stars, but on account that I'm currently in denial over that ending, and not to mention how hard I was sobbing.... probably tells me I shouldn't.
Four stars it is!

Reason everyone on earth should be forced to read this book: 

Um. Hello. History lesson. History must be remembered in order to prevent it from repeating itself. I truly believe this. Markus Zusak (despite his recent placement at the top of my "authors to hunt down and scream at" list) has drawn a beautiful, ugly picture of Nazi Germany and the horrors it caused the world. Not just to the Jews but to the Germans also, and to anyone with a heart. 

A list of emotions I felt while reading: 

Why the book didn't get that coveted 5th star: 

Well, I can't tell you that without ruining the book, but I can tell you it has something to do with that glass case of emotion. It's also partly the denial I'm currently in. One day I'm going to write a book called "How They Really End" in which I will re-write the endings of books that I loved, but hated. Including this one and Mockingjay (but that's another story).

A side note for the author: 

Just so you know, MARKUS, the tears are still drying on my face right now. I hope you're happy that you ripped my heart out, thanks. What was that one line? "He steps on my heart. He makes me cry." I think when I read those lines it pretty much summed up my feels. I think that's the line that actually did me in.

From there the crying got worse. Once you've read this you'll know what I mean. 

A thought to convince you I don't completely hate this book: 

I actually love it. It's a work of art. Pure art. It's beautiful and it's ugly. Just like humanity itself. As the final line of The Book Thief goes, "I have hated the words and I have loved them..." 

I will probably never read this book again. I don't think I'd be able to handle it again. But I am glad, grateful even, that I have read this book. It has opened my eyes to more than just a history lesson. It drug me, kicking and screaming, into the center of Nazi Germany. These characters were not real, but their story is, and it will haunt me until the day I die.