My book group got together to discuss this book last Thursday, there were 8 of us in total.
Synopsis from the Transworld Website:
'It's just a small story, really, about other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, a jewish fist fighter and quite a lot of thievery...'
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The book thief is narrated in the all-knowing matter-of-fact voice of death, witnessing the story of the citizens of Himmel Street:
When nine-year-old Liesel arrives outside the boxlike house of her new foster parents, she refuses to get out of the car. Liesel has been separated from her parents - 'Kommunists' - for ever, and at the burial of her little brother, she steals a gravedigger's instruction manual which she can't read. So begins a love affair with books and words, and her illustrious career.
So what did the group think of it?
Well four members of the group including me really loved the book, two were indifferent to it, one hadn't read it and the other hated it with a passion.
The reasons for liking the book - The writing style and especially the narration by Death, who is actually nice and just doing his job... As a distraction when he collects each soul he focuses on the colour of the sky and there are some nice descriptions of this throughout the book. The story that is being narrated is the one of Liesel and interspersed in bold throughout the book are notes and thoughts by Death. It describes every day life in Germany and the human aspect and the dangers of the time. There are some really interesting characters, there was one in particular that we all liked (I won't spoil the book for you by giving you more detail about the characters). During the story a book is written for Liesel and as there is no paper available, the pages of 'Mein Kampf' are whitewashed over so that the new story can be written. But the old words refuse to disappear completely and seep through in parts. We also liked the how, why and where she stole the books from.
The reasons for not liking the book - It was almost a rant the book was considered so awful. Written for Children, far too long, bad writing style and patronising. I think that sums it up. Oh yes and Death was irritating!
Afternote: The book was first sold in Australia as an adults book and later in America as a children's book. In the UK it had two editions, one for adults and one for children.
Well four members of the group including me really loved the book, two were indifferent to it, one hadn't read it and the other hated it with a passion.
The reasons for liking the book - The writing style and especially the narration by Death, who is actually nice and just doing his job... As a distraction when he collects each soul he focuses on the colour of the sky and there are some nice descriptions of this throughout the book. The story that is being narrated is the one of Liesel and interspersed in bold throughout the book are notes and thoughts by Death. It describes every day life in Germany and the human aspect and the dangers of the time. There are some really interesting characters, there was one in particular that we all liked (I won't spoil the book for you by giving you more detail about the characters). During the story a book is written for Liesel and as there is no paper available, the pages of 'Mein Kampf' are whitewashed over so that the new story can be written. But the old words refuse to disappear completely and seep through in parts. We also liked the how, why and where she stole the books from.
The reasons for not liking the book - It was almost a rant the book was considered so awful. Written for Children, far too long, bad writing style and patronising. I think that sums it up. Oh yes and Death was irritating!
Afternote: The book was first sold in Australia as an adults book and later in America as a children's book. In the UK it had two editions, one for adults and one for children.
9 comments:
I have not heard of this book, am interested in getting a copy now , I shall seek out where and will get back to you. Sounds like a great read :-)
I, too, would like to read it.
Cherry
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SANTILLI
You liked Death's style, Cherie?
Nunyaa - I look forward to hearing your views on it :-)
Welshcakes - Let me know if you do.
Luiz - Hi you are welcome!
James - Oh yes :-) death has a lot of style in this book ;-)
I don't suppose you've read 'Fatherland'?
I did enjoy that.
Crushed - No I haven't read that one. I have just read some reviews on it and it looks quite interesting, so I might give it a go :-)
Oh, I started reading this 2 nights ago! It was on my Christmas present list. I also gave it as a birthday present to Alun, my workmate, and he loved it but it made him cry at the end.
Liz - I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did, let me know what you think when you have finished it. It made me cry too xx
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