Valet Reader

The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

From death’s perspective… interesting. Don’t be fooled though, this death is not being characterized as carrying the trademark scythe, the black robe or skeletal appearance. Wouldn’t want you thinking that now would we?

I was put off at first when I began reading this book, as it’s not exactly clear from the first page who is telling the story. Now that I’ve already given away who the narrator is you’ve got a head start on me, but don’t worry it doesn’t really spoil anything by knowing that. Consider it a present, from me to you.

I’ve had this book on my list for quite awhile now and I’m not really sure why I hadn’t read it sooner considering it is hailed by People magazine as “A major achievement”. I don’t really know what the hell that is supposed to mean. Apparently this book has made its rounds on the best seller lists and it kind of floated on my peripheral vision for awhile. I wanted to read some fiction and thought this may be a good break from my past couple of books. I guess I was hoping for an uplifting story, after all the last fiction piece I read “I know This Much Is True” was anything but. Yeah, I suppose I should have read the book leaf in more detail.

If you know me, you know that I’m not much of a sentimentalist (unless there are puppies involved). I do hold a special place for World War II or holocaust stories based on my heritage and religious beliefs (they are fleeting I will admit, but I am still a member of the Tribe). Don’t be fooled, I didn’t break down and cry at any point during this sad tale but had the circumstances of my reading (i.e. not being on a bus) been different perhaps my eyes would have watered a bit.

The story is fairly simple, guilt,

love, death and a terrible time to be living in Germany for a young girl or anyone. Her heart gets broken time and time again and eventually she finds herself in a far away place. I’m not going to delve into details; I never do, so that’s the gist of it. She’s a book lover (surprise, surprise) and I guess for that reason she wins extra points with me. The only thing that I will be critical of in this story was the climax or ending. There really wasn’t one. Sure the story ends but there were no real surprises. I suppose you’re saying, yeah, of course there were no surprises it was the holocaust. I guess what I’m driving at is that I wanted a little more, I feel like something was missing at the end. Either way, if you’re looking for a nouvea Anne Frank, Liesel Meminger may just be your girl.