The Book Thief

Book - The Book Thief

I don't know whether the sick feeling in my stomach is from how much I just cried, or whether it's something else entirely. I don't know how to respond to this book, this brilliant, brilliant book.

Even saying that feels like lying. Because it is such a good book, but to say things like “it was wonderful” or “I really enjoyed it” feels wrong. Because there's nothing wonderful or enjoyable about it, not in a literal sense. I can't remember the parts that made me smile, though I'm sure they exist. They're overshadowed by the end of the world and the last words of Death.

The Book Thief is narrated by Death, a creature who looks like your reflection in the mirror and is haunted by humanity. To my knowledge, Death has never before been depicted in such a way—such a human way. In The Book Thief, Death is not evil; it is not cruel. It suffers from its work; becomes buried under the burden. It needs to find distractions. Before Liesel, its primary source of comfort was in colour. After Liesel, it is held up by her book.

I can't say that the whole book is wonderful—the events are too ugly for that—but there are some truly wonderful characters. I think my favourite is Rudy, but on the other hand, I love all of them; Rudy and Rosa and Hans and Max and Liesel and Ilsa Hermann. And Death. Throughout the book, they slowly but surely expose themselves to you, until you know everything you need to know about them. Some of them grab your heart right at the beginning, like Liesel and Papa. Others take longer to get to know you, like Rosa and Ilsa. But you know them all by the end.

Just in time to have your heart completely demolished.

Quote time. I have a lot of bookmarks. For a lot of different reasons. I think I'll just list them. A couple of them are the interjections of Death, like sidenotes in a textbook. Like the first.

***A DEFINITION NOT FOUND ***

IN THE DICTIONARY

Not leaving: an act of trust and love,

often deciphered by children. --pg. 37

Many of the quotes that stood out to me were for literary reasons, as is often the case when I read a brilliant book. So I'm not going to explain most of them; I'll just let you figure out for yourself why I chose them.

For now, Rudy and Liesel made their way onto Himmel Street in the rain.

He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world.

She was the book thief without the words.

Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like the rain. --pg. 80

*** A GUIDED TOUR OF SUFFERING ***

To your left,

perhaps your right,

perhaps even straight ahead,

you find a small black room.

In it sits a Jew.

He is scum.

He is starving.

He is afraid.

Please—try not to look away. --pg. 138

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