The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
One Book You Are Currently Reading
I am on page 389 of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s taking me a while to get through it, not only because it’s 522 pages long, but somehow it just hasn’t grabbed me the way I expected it to.
The first time I heard about The Book Thief was at a Northern California Children’s Bookseller Association meeting at Hicklebee’s in San Jose back in March. It was book share night, everyone’s favorite part of the meetings. Valerie Lewis, owner of Hicklebee’s and an author in her own right, chose The Book Thief as her share as the best new book this season. She was especially enthusiastic because Zusak had just visited Hicklebee’s the day before as part of a panel discussion called “Teen Authors,” and gave a great talk.
Due to the unfortunate misnomer of that “Teen Author” event, I was, until five minutes ago, convinced that Mark Zusak was himself a teenager. I just looked him up online and discovered otherwise.
I think that belief might have colored my reading of the book.
I had been all prepared to rave about the impressive literary skills of such a young person (not that Zusak isn’t young—30 is, well, younger than me). However, I realize now that I have been reading with one foot on each side of the shore, as it were. While I wanted to be impressed, I might have been subconsciously eager to find immaturity in the prose and in the handling of the subject matter, which is by no means light.
I don’t know what happens in the end, but so far The Book Thief is the story of a German girl and her foster family during WWII, as they watch the progression of the fascist state, the persecution of the Jews, and the approach of enemy fire. I think I am relieved to know that this book, narrated by Death and taking place during one of the darkest periods of human history, was not written by a teenager. I can now enjoy the many unusual literary mechanisms and turns of phrase that Zusak employs without worrying about some eighteen-year-old trying too hard (there is such a fine line between cutting-edge literary devices and trying too hard). I’m afraid I might have judging the prose a bit too harshly in that light.
The Book Thief has already won huge critical acclaim, including Hicklebee’s own Book of the Year award and many Australian honors. I feel like I haven’t been giving the book its due, so I promise to tackle the remainder of the book with relish, and stop worrying.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
tags: children's books book reviews teen authors WWII Holocaust Markus Zusak
I am on page 389 of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s taking me a while to get through it, not only because it’s 522 pages long, but somehow it just hasn’t grabbed me the way I expected it to.The first time I heard about The Book Thief was at a Northern California Children’s Bookseller Association meeting at Hicklebee’s in San Jose back in March. It was book share night, everyone’s favorite part of the meetings. Valerie Lewis, owner of Hicklebee’s and an author in her own right, chose The Book Thief as her share as the best new book this season. She was especially enthusiastic because Zusak had just visited Hicklebee’s the day before as part of a panel discussion called “Teen Authors,” and gave a great talk.
Due to the unfortunate misnomer of that “Teen Author” event, I was, until five minutes ago, convinced that Mark Zusak was himself a teenager. I just looked him up online and discovered otherwise.
I think that belief might have colored my reading of the book.
I had been all prepared to rave about the impressive literary skills of such a young person (not that Zusak isn’t young—30 is, well, younger than me). However, I realize now that I have been reading with one foot on each side of the shore, as it were. While I wanted to be impressed, I might have been subconsciously eager to find immaturity in the prose and in the handling of the subject matter, which is by no means light.
I don’t know what happens in the end, but so far The Book Thief is the story of a German girl and her foster family during WWII, as they watch the progression of the fascist state, the persecution of the Jews, and the approach of enemy fire. I think I am relieved to know that this book, narrated by Death and taking place during one of the darkest periods of human history, was not written by a teenager. I can now enjoy the many unusual literary mechanisms and turns of phrase that Zusak employs without worrying about some eighteen-year-old trying too hard (there is such a fine line between cutting-edge literary devices and trying too hard). I’m afraid I might have judging the prose a bit too harshly in that light.
The Book Thief has already won huge critical acclaim, including Hicklebee’s own Book of the Year award and many Australian honors. I feel like I haven’t been giving the book its due, so I promise to tackle the remainder of the book with relish, and stop worrying.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
tags: children's books book reviews teen authors WWII Holocaust Markus Zusak
posted by Renee at 10:08 AM
feed me
5 Comments:
Ooh, I've not heard of this book. I love books with book themes. I'll be interested to find out what you think once you have finished it.
I have been given this book for my birthday by my son (same age like the author) and was intrigued by its beautiful cover, the whole exterior, the paper, the lovely fond "Golden Cockerel" but as soon as I started to read it, I was struggling. Struggling with the prolog, the prose, the many pages, the concept of this "strange" narrator DEATH, the character of Liesel the book thief, the bits and pieces of German words mixed with the English (they often, to me, sound a bit cliche "dummkopf", "saumensch" Do Germans really speak like that??)
A german myself I felt this mishmash of speech unnecessary, the so much praised book disappointing...and then I listened to the video of this young author,his enthusiasm about writing this book and the difficulties he encountered on the way, his explanations about "the book thief" and I was taken in by his charme and also his sincerity of a writer and I felt I should give it another try, start afresh....may be it was just me: I had recently read the marvellous book of THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini and was still on a high about it and could not adept to a totally different style and narrative. So I promise to all those fans of Zusak's book, I'll try again from page 1.
Yutka
I've also read THE KITE RUNNER and THE BOOK THIEF. Both are very different styles yet they both pull at your heart. I love those books!! If you enjoy reading such amazing stories that leave you turning page after page, you should read THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS. The author has slipped by mind but it is definitely worth picking up! I hope you enjoy it!
I've just started reading this book.
IT's become one of the best i have ever read.
It's unique form of narration was at first difficult to grasp, but after the first chapter, i was inlove.
This book is different than others.
I love the way the story is being portrayed, I'll reccoment it to any one.
I read it, and I thought it was fantastic! Such a quality of writing. I am 14, and would recommend it for anyone aged 10+, for it's such a great novel. It's almost a neccesity to read it.
It almost had me crying when she found Papa and Mama dead. I was reading it all through school and lessons, and I couldn't put it down. All the different storylines all shield the biggest storyline of all; what a worthwhile book to read!
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