Review: THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zusak, Markus. 2006. The Book Thief. Read by Allan Corduner. New York: Random House Listening Library. ISBN 0-7393-3800-5. Text ISBN 0-375-83100-2

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Liesel Meminger is a young girl in Nazi Germany. She is introduced as “The Book Thief” by the narrator, who in an interesting twist, identifies himself as “Death.” Liesel watched her brother die on the way to her foster family; a rough, but loving foster mother and a compassionate foster father.  Liesel learns to be street-smart and an excellent soccer player. She and her best friend Rudy, also become accomplished thieves. The items Liesel finds irresistible are books. She steals her first one at age 10, when a grave-digger at her brother’s funeral drops a copy of “The Gravedigger’s Manual” in the snow. Though not able to read, Liesel keeps the book, and it is this book which she reads first when her foster father teaches her to read. Liesel’s book collection grows to include books given to her, stolen from a book-burning and from the mayor’s wife’s library, and made for her by the Jew hidden in the basement.

During the bombing raids, Liesel reads to neighbors and even to the Jewish man who was hidden in their basement. As the book progresses, Liesel matures from a young, frightened, illiterate girl who is haunted by nightmares of her brother’s death, to youth who comforts and provides escape for her neighbors during bombing raids. While she continues to survive through more tragic deaths of friends and family, Liesel becomes an adult who uses the power of words to record her own life and experiences.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

By using “Death” as the narrator of this story, Markus Zusak immediately captures the attention of the reader. The book contains a realistic picture of Nazi Germany, with mention made of Hitler Youth, bombings, mandatory service in the Nazi army. In the author’s note contained in the text, Zusak tells that he based some of the scenes in the story on his mother’s memories of growing up in Nazi Germany. Liesel Meminger is a believable character who rises above her circumstances and finds that books and indeed words are powerful treasures which can make life bearable and offer hope in the midst of the scenes of horror and violence.

Allan Corduner does an excellent job as the voice of “Death” in the 11 CD audio version of this book. His voice is rich and deep as “Death” but sharpens or gets softer in tone depending on the character being represented. In the prologue, “Death and Chocolate”, Corduner’s voice has a friendly, almost teasing quality as “Death” advises: “Just don’t ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.” When “Death” makes a last note to the reader, Corduner’s voice has a puzzled tone in his final statement “I am haunted by humans.” This story is powerful, thought provoking and captivating. It is intended for ages 12 and up, and should not be read by younger children due to language and content themes.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review: "Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of a sophisticated teen and adult readers. A mesmerizing and original story."

THE HORN BOOK starred review:  "A tour de force to be not just read but inhabited."

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: With quick vocal strokes, Corduner paints vivid, provocative portraits of Germans and Jews under unfathomable duress and the ripple effect such circumstances have on their lives.

5. CONNECTIONS

*This novel should be taught or listened to in conjunction with WWII History. Students should research Germany during WWII using library and internet sources. They could use a Venn diagram or T chart to compare the information learned from the book with the non-fiction information found on-line.

*Other Young Adult books by Markus Zusak:

Zusak, Markus. I Am the Messenger. ISBN 9780375836671

Zusak, Markus. Getting The Girl. ISBN 043938950X

Zusak, Markus. Fighting Ruben Wolfe. ISBN 0439241871