Sophie came up with the idea of combining my passion for Formula 1 with my love of reading by reviewing a book by an author of the same nationality as the weekend’s Formula One. This week it is the Australian Grand Prix. Therefore this week I am going to review The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
I was challenged to read this by Christie, Sophie’s little sister, in our annual reading challenge where we have to read 5 books chosen by the other throughout the year. So far this year, The Book Thief has been my favourite read. I love how witty and funny Zusak makes his novel despite it being a very serious and depressing topic. For those who haven’t read it, I strongly recommend it to you. Even if you have already seen the film, the words create a better picture and expand on the story.
For those who do not know, (where have you been?) this story is set in Nazi Germany, near Munich on a street named Himmel Street (Heaven Street). The main character (the book thief) is Liesel Meminger an orphan who is sent to live with her new foster parents, Rosa and Hans Hubberman after her mother can no longer provide. At first she is apprehensive and scared, as you would expect, but she soon warms to her new home and family and grows to love her new mama and papa.
I am sorry for being so vague and I know that most people will probably have already read this and therefore it cannot be spoilt but just in case you are reading this and you haven’t read it I will do my best to avoid spoilers.
One thing I didn’t realise from watching the film, or at least I couldn’t remember was the fact that Death is the narrator. This is something I had not thought about when watching the film though it is a lot more prominent when reading the book. There are little notes from the narrator and little anecdotes about elsewhere in Germany and how the Second World War was for him. These anecdotes can range from being thought provoking and upsetting to quite amusing and even laugh-out-loud funny.
This future classic is one for all, it is a true masterpiece and one all literary lovers should pick up at some point in their lives. I hope that if I was ever to write a novel I could write something as moving as this and could make such an impact on someone as this novel has made on me. I feel like I am describing this poorly but it is simply too difficult to explain just how much I enjoyed this novel, definitely my favourite so far.
Danny
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