BOOK REVIEW
Before reading The Book Thief, I was not familiar with the works of Australian author Markus Zusak. At this point in time, I cannot determine for sure whether he is a sadist or not. There needs to be more research. I’m not questioning that Zusak is talented; I’m just saying someone might wanna check up on him, see how he’s doing. I mean, there is only so much heartache I can take. Although I have not had much time to recuperate from this reading experience, I still desire to dive into more of his work.
Interestingly enough, the story begins with an introduction from our friendly neighborhood narrator, Death. Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death documents the story of Liesel Meminger, a young German girl whose book thievery and storytelling talent help bolster up her family during a frightening time in the nation’s history. The author takes a tragic subject and relays it with dark humor through the use of Death; the ever-present narrator often interjects with his own feelings and thoughts regarding the events in Liesel’s life, while providing the reader with that of everyone else. During the beginning of the book, for instance, Liesel watches her younger brother die on a train ride to their new foster parents. Death observes the behavior of the guards who escort the family off the train as well as the pair of gravediggers who dispose of the young boy’s body: “When it came down to it, one of them called the shots. The other did what he was told. The question is, what if the other is a lot more than one?”.
Liesel grows attached to a book known as The Grave Digger’s Handbook which reminds her of her brother; this is the beginning of her career as a book thief. Her relationship with Hans Hubermann grows more loving as he teaches her the basics of reading and writing. The young girl discovers the power of words and the comfort which they bring, a theme of the book. Similar to Atticus Finch of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Hans is the nearly perfect father figure. Although, some of his choices end up putting the family in grave danger (No spoilers.) His wife Rosa, however, is a foul-mouthed, no-nonsense German mother who feels firmly planted in reality. Rosa contrasts with Hans’ gentle nature immensely, still the author is slowly able to peel back her tough exterior to unveil her soft spots, a testament to his skill.
Because Hans Hubermann owes his life to a soldier from the first World War, his family agrees to hide the hero’s son in their basement during Hitler’s reign. Max Vandenburg - the Jew in question - becomes very close with Leisel. While this part of the book is not the most eventful, it is essential for Zusak to show the reality of those individuals’ lives who went against the Nazi regime. He says, putting it ever so delicately, "Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day. That was the business of hiding a Jew." Way to keep it light, Zusak. Then again, Liesel’s friendship with the neighbor boy, Rudy Steiner, is always exciting, despite Death’s eery reminders that he is going to die soon enough. Similar to how family members of those fighting at war must feel, the reader is filled with dread knowing the character's demise is coming at any moment. Am I just overly attached to fictional characters? Perhaps.
The imagery in the story is as incredible as it is plentiful. Sprinkled across every page is a lovely metaphor or well-crafted word choice that only enhances the reading experience. Even though the events that took place in Germany were brutal, there is a beauty to be found in everything, we learn. Death, who becomes busier than ever during times of war, describes the colors and shapes like no other: “I see them tall in their heaps, all mounted on top of each other. There is air like plastic, a horizon like setting glue. There are skies manufactured by people, punctured and leaking, and there are soft, coal-coloured clouds, beating, like black hearts.”
While I may have become too immersed in the story for my own good, I think that is a testament to the skill of Markus Zusak. The Book Thief is a long and treacherous journey through a famous time in our planet’s past, but some stories are so vital that they must be told and retold, from various points of view, lest we be doomed to repeat them in reality.
