The Book Thief by Markus Zusak --- Pt. 7

Pgs. 492-End

My final verdict? Extremely disappointed.

I was promised that the last hundred pages or so would really pick up and I would be impressed. I was also promised that I would need tissues. Once more, Markus Zusak sabotaged himself.

The author's unyielding need to tell you what happens before it happens destroyed any type of suspense, unexpected grief, or excitement, from hitting me. Way to go, Markus!

Now, the author's suspense killing method of writing might have killed the story, but it did not kill all of the writing. He was very descriptive and he had very insightful ways of creating sentences. Once or twice, I was blown away by some of his quotes. The way he described the weather through the character of Liesel and the way he described death through the narrator point of view was interesting.

He also placed several facts about his family in the story. I wonder exactly what he took from fiction and what he took from fact. Unless we ask him, I doubt anyone will ever know. Maybe, one of these days.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak --- Pt. 6

Pgs. 359-491

I was really upset that Zucker was pushed up as an important character but then he gets killed. His only use was to get Hans home. If you want the truth I was confused as to Zucker's character. He was a jerk and nothing more. The story could have gone on without him. I just don't see how a story with so much detail can leave so much out at the same time.

As of this point in the story, I'm still not liking it. It does get interesting and exciting, but it is just so inconsistent and annoying that I cannot enjoy it.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak --- Pt. 5

Pgs. 292-358

Rudy Steiner is a huge idiot; this appears to be the point of the first couple of sections. He just doesn't know when to buck up and act "right." I know that acting like a Nazi isn't necessarily right, but the alternative is hugely painful and humiliating. In the end, Rudy gets out of the situation, but it takes a while. And he nearly freezes to death. That's ridiculous.

Then Max gets sick. I found this section to be very annoying. Liesel gives him trash to make him feel better. I find that on the dumb side, but she is 11 or 12. Then, she reads to him. I find that much more interesting, but her book choices are very weird. She reads about a murderer escaping. Weird.

Then Max makes it through only to be nearly discovered by a Nazi officer. It was a "fast-pace" section...Or at least as fast-paced as this book can get.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak --- Pt. 4

Pgs. 239-292

Apparently the mayor's wife is out of the picture for the moment. The mayor fired Liesel's mom and now Liesel can no longer go up to her house/library. Not that it matters really, because the little girl is now completely angry with the older woman.

The relationship between Liesel and Max is disturbing. You know that the author doesn't really mean for their interactions to be taken badly, but they can be misinterpreted. Earlier, while reading, I thought they were falling in love until I realized that Max is 24 and Liesel is eleven or twelve. For just a moment I was disturbed. I had to remind myself that his feelings toward her are solely social and platonic than anything else. Besides, Liesel loves Rudy even if she can't admit it to him.

I like that the story is still giving you glimpses at the history of the World War, but I don't think it gives you enough. I think that Death, since he is the voice of the novel, should talk about his job a little more. He worked overtime during the war, as he would have in any war. Maybe the author didn't want to do an over load, but it's almost necessary. Let us really know what's going on!

Mama and Papa have both taken a back seat, nearly disappearing altogether. You only see them mentioned in passing. Mama did have one quick scene when Liesel told her that the mayor had fired her. And Papa had a quick snippet just after that.

I'm so ready for this book to have a point.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak --- Pt. 3

Pgs. 168-238

Things I don't understand:

1). The point of this story.
2.) Why the author is including all of these small details.
3.) What the point of the mayor's wife is in relation to this book.
4.) Why Liesel steals books.
5.) Why we had a complete info overload for the character of Max Vandenburg.
6.) Why the author goes from completely obscure and secretive to completely overbearing with giving us details or information.

My opinion of this book has not become any better. Yes, the narrator can be funny. Yes, Liesel can pique my interest. Yes, I want to know what happens, but I don't want to spend my entire life figuring it out. I'm growing old waiting for this plot to actually make sense. There is only the slightest sense of push...the tiniest essence of danger. It is true that World War II is happening all around them, but it seems so far away from this scene that you hardly remember it is happening.

I want something to happen. I want action. I want drama. The author packs so much fluff into this novel that I'm choking trying to get through. Give me meat! Not peas.

Give the editor of this book a scapel and tell him to carve a story from it.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak --- Pt. 2

Pgs. 69-167.

Still, I have no clue as to what the point of this story is. It could just be an informative novel about World War II. However, I hope there are a fews more themes than just that.

I find the main character to be hard to grasp. She's hilarious in parts and completely serious in others. She's written too old for her eleven year old self. She grasps concepts that are beyond her even though she can hardly read. Every time I try to play the story in my head I see a sixteen or seventeen year old girl instead of who she really is. I suppose, though, that since the book is written from Death's perspective, he might have something to do with how we see the girl.

I love the fact that she got into a fight and beat the bigger boy up. I love it even more that in her enraged state, she attacked a second boy that didn't even deserve it. This little girl takes no prisoners. She's all business. That is until she gets around her best friend. When they are together...It's a complete change. She becomes likeable.

The only great thing about this book is that by the time I'm done with it, I'll be able to curse like a sailor in German.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Pgs. 1-68

I want to make it clear that I don't like the author's writing style in this book. It's too choppy and confusing. Death, because that's who is telling this story, keeps hinting at things that are going to come in the story, but he does it in a manner that pretty much gives it away. I don't like that, because I'd rather read about it later and be surprised than to already know and be let down because there is no suspense.

Death is a strange character. He keeps trying to tell about his occupation without telling you too much, but it just creates a jumbled mess that doesn't really make sense. He can smell colors... Which I find strange, but I won't judge him for that.

The setting is during the reign of Hitler in Germany. The Nazi party is working hard to create anti-Jewish propoganda. There are lots of little facts in this story that are taken directly from history and just worked into the piece of fiction. I think this is a good way for someone who doesn't like to read history books to get a little bit of a background...

So far... I'm just not sure what the point of the story is... It is not giving us enough hints. Maybe it's about the importance of education and reading. The book's title is what it is for a reason. Hopefully I will learn soon enough what the author wanted to get across.