Daily Times

Everyone should read writer Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, says Philip Ardagh. Captivating, thrilling and spellbinding, “The Book Thief” is everything the lovers of history and unusual writing style will be appealed to. Markus Zusak, an Australian novelist has written this book with utmost realism towards the horrors of World War II and holocaust. Narrated by Death, this story is set in Germany around the years 1939-1943. It depicts to us the horrors of war, conflict and ultimately death. How death can sometimes itself be bored by its job.

“Where are my manners? I could introduce myself properly, but it is not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I’ll be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A colour will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away.”

Liesel Memminger, who is the protagonist in this novel, is a young girl adopted by Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Before arriving in her foster home, Liesel Memminger travels with her mother and brother in a train to the foster family, as told by death that is flying above the train and keeping a close eye on Liesel Memminger. She is a strong willed girl although she is damaged. An easily likeable girl, she is very curious about the things that are around her. She is a girl who judges neither books nor people by their covers.

In the book, Liesel Memminger’s foster father Hans Hubermann, who is a very kind soul and loves Memminger more than his own children, is hiding a Jew named Max in his basement because Hans himself was once rescued in a war by Max’s father. Hans plays an accordion given to him by Max’s father and Memminger loves it

The title of the book can be applied to both ‘death’, the narrator and Liesel Memminger, the main character. Liesel in the very first chapter is seen stealing a book although she does not know how to read as yet. Whereas death who is curious about Liesel from the very first time he has seen her is also a book thief as he is narrating from Liesel’s book.

In the book, Liesel Memminger’s foster father Hans Hubermann, who is a very kind soul and loves Memminger more than his own children, is hiding a Jew named Max in his basement because Hans himself was once rescued in a war by Max’s father. Hans plays an accordion given to him by Max’s father and Memminger loves it. Liesel is taught to read and write by Hans but her imagination comes when she has to explain to Max different things that he cannot see in the outside world. Another main character in the book is of Rudy Stiener, who is Liesel’s best friend. A fan of Jess Owens, Rudy plays a role in shaping Liesel’s personality in a way.

This book has been sold in some countries as a children’s book and in other as an adult novel. It is full of visually strong moments where the reader feels moved by the characters and the situation they are living in. a snowball fight in the basement, Max’s imaginary match with Hitler and many more of such incidents would make the reader totally feels in act with the characters.

The Book Thief will make many eyes brim. Markus Zusak keeps reminding the reader how small acts of courage and kindness keep the world going and how life goes on while death hovers over us all and these small acts of courage and kindness not only touches us but death as well.

The writer can be reached at miralam1960@gmail.com