The Book Thief by Mark Zusak-Review

[bryleygm]

The Book Thief by Mark Zusak follows a young girl as she endures the hardships of living in Germany during World War II. This story begins with Liesel Meminger and her brother journeying to their new foster parents. Liesel’s brother passes away on the train to Munich, and a funeral is held for him, during which Liesel steals her first book. Liesel bonds with her foster parents on Himmel Street, and they stick together through the mounting tragedies and hardships of the next several years. Exploring the power of language and themes of love and death, The Book Thief is a heartbreaking picture of Nazi Germany.
I tend to really enjoy historical fiction, despite how tragic and heartbreaking it can be, but this book wasn’t exactly the type that I would read for enjoyment. It was heavy, descriptive, and blunt. I always prefer stories with hope and stories that give us encouragement, and this book contained relatively little of that, but I can see why, considering the circumstances and setting of the plot. I appreciated the writing, which may be the only reason I was able to finish this book. Altogether, it opened my eyes to the horrors that individuals experienced in Nazi Germany, and also gave me a better appreciation for the power of words and language.
Apart from my personal preferences, this book was extraordinarily well written. The prose was beautiful, almost comparing to poetry. The only aspect that really harmed the writing was some excessive use of swearing and taking the Lord’s name in vain. It could be argued that the language was important to convey a realistic illustration of life in Nazi Germany, but too much swearing may become a significant distraction from the unique style of the writer. Liesel, throughout the book, increasingly discover the power that words, especially books, may have over people. Language is described in multiple situations, from Hitler’s hate-filled speech to affectionate name-calling by several individuals. This serves to show the reader that words are capable of great hate, but also overwhelming love, joy, and peace.
What ages would I recommend this book for? I originally read this as a YA book, but it pushes boundaries on whether it is fully appropriate for teens. This book deals with heavy topics in a heavy way, one that is more appropriate for older teens and adults. I would recommend it to ages 17 and up, based on level of maturity I think is necessary to full comprehend the message. The topics dealt with are vital for teens of all ages to learn, however, this book may do more harm than good for younger adolescents.

[Sav Sparkman]

I read this book as a young adult, and I thought very highly of it. It is very well written and the characters are compelling. I agree that some of the themes are mature, but I think it would still be appropriate for a teenager to read. I would probably suggest that if there are concerned parents, they should read it before/with their teen so they can discuss the subject matter in a more productive and healthy way.