I’m sure most of you have heard about this book as it was plastered everywhere when it came out in 2005. The story is set in Nazi Germany, just before WW II and describes a young girl's life and relationship with her foster parents, friends, neighbors, and a Jewish man who ends up hiding in her home as the War begins.
The reason why I chose this book for ABC was simply because of the great reviews about it. Everyone I had asked about this novel told me it’s amazing and such an incredible book. Everywhere I read about it, only had positive things to say about the story line as well as the author’s writing style. That’s probably why it has won so many awards and was also listed on the New York Times Children's Bestseller List for over 100 weeks!
And yes, you have read it correct… CHILDREN’S BESTSELLER.
You see, this book was originally meant for children and teens which is very hard for me to understand because it is a very dark and tough book. It is about death (after all, DEATH is the narrator), it is about the holocaust and people dying, it is about suffering and starving… and after our meet-up last night, I also found out that I wasn’t the only one who had trouble understanding and following the book.
I must say that the very first paragraph and chapter of this book does grab your attention… It starts by saying: “HERE IS A SMALL FACT … YOU ARE GOING TO DIE”.
Not sure if that is the greatest way to start off a children’s book … but it grabbed my attention... For maybe 1 more page.
In any event, I happen to believe that in order to really understand this book and every single story that is described in it, you must read it at least twice! Only then will you really and truly understand it.
In my opinion there were A LOT of stories and chapters that could have been omitted. They were useless and a waste of time to me. I liked the idea of the story line and having death narrate it made it kind of interesting… but overall, I did not like the book. It was hard to follow, it was too drawn out, I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters, the writing confused me many times, and I can go on and on. And on top of that, I don’t think this should be a children’s book at all. There are many other better books for children that explain death and sorrow and how to deal with it.
What about you guys?
Has anyone read this book? Did you like it?
Please share your thoughts and comments… would love to hear them!
Sincerely,
Aventura Book Worm
No!! First, sorry I didn't make it last night...but I really loved this book. I thought it was great, clever even (especially with death as the narrator, although i found him annoying at times). But overall, it was a great story that posed a very interesting question: would you do the right thing when a whole country really is against you. I loved Liesel and her relationship with Hans, Rosa was a great character and even Rudy (sad ending though). I even loved how we find out what happens to Liesel, that she gets to live a long life in Australia. Honestly, I think it should be made into a movie, it would be really interesting to see :).
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Honestly I'm happy to see this. I haven't read but with all the glowing reviews I am intrigued but I am going into it thinking I may not like it so if I do I am pleasantly surprised.
ReplyDeleteGreat honest review.
I haven't but my daughter(20) read it and my book loving sight-impaired mother-in-law(74) listened to the CD ... both loved The Book Thief!
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