Tolog Review: The Book Thief

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
reviewed by Genevieve Spiotto

Thievery. When one sees this word or hears it, they often think of it as something wrong. People also tend to look at this word and think of one stealing an actual item. This is usually true. Leisel Meminger in The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, finds this to be true. But is her thievery of books wrong? After having so much taken away from her it just makes sense that she should be able to take something for herself. Her mother stolen away by the Fuhrer and her brother stolen by death, Leisel must learn to cope with her losses and her new surroundings in her foster home. She does this by stealing something for herself. She steals books.

From 1939 to 1945, World War II took place. Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer of Germany, formed the Nazi party. During this time, Nazis would capture Jews and anyone who opposed the Fuhrer. The people captured would be taken away from their families. In The Book Thief, Leisel Meminger has the unfortunate problem of having to live in Nazi Germany during this time. Having a Jew named Max hiding in her basement does not improve her family’s situation. However, Leisel soon finds a friend in this character, and a friend in her foster father. Leisel’s friendships are important. The relationships that Leisel has are the most important aspects of the story, because it is Leisel’s friends and family who shape her into the intelligent, determined person she becomes. Leisel suffers losses, but she is able to regain happiness through her foster father, Hans, who teaches her how to read and acts as a major parental figure, and her friend Rudy who contributes enormously to Leisel’s happiness through his unending friendship and childhood antics. Then there is Max, who brings out the real Leisel; the Leisel who sees the world in a way only she herself can see it. The mayor’s wife also brings happiness into Leisel’s life in the form of hundreds of books.

The Book Thief is a truly entrancing book that allows the reader to see inside each character, and to see who they truly are. Rather than giving an overall view of Nazi Germany, Markus Zusak tells the story through several characters, all with different personalities. Leisel’s personality is the one that seems to develop the most, with her increasing understanding of the wrongness around her. As Leisel’s relationships develop, she becomes a stronger person. She gains determination, which is a good trait to have during her time of living.

Narrated by death, the author gives The Book Thief a mysterious theme. The story is heartwarming and tragic at the same time. The reader is able to feel the characters’ love, but also their emotional pain. This is what makes Zusak’s book so special, igniting in readers the same hope and determination that Leisel herself experiences, as she makes a journey that becomes the one story in her life that matters the most.