📖 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4,5 stars The Book Thief is a novel about the horrors of World War II, narrated by Death, who tells the story of Liesel, a young German girl whose love of books and storytelling helps sustain both her family and the Jewish man they are hiding. As a German woman, I am particularly drawn to books set in Germany during World War II. They remind me of my country’s difficult history, a past that cannot be changed but one that is important to understand and learn from. Through Death’s narration, we follow Liesel as she grows up in Nazi Germany. She is surrounded by a regime she and her foster family do not support, and they even risk their lives by hiding a Jewish man named Max. This story is incredibly emotional and heartbreaking. It is difficult to comprehend that these circumstances were once a reality for so many people, but that is exactly why it is so important to continue talking about this period in history and to never forget it. The only aspect I was unsure about at first was Death as the narrator. Initially, it felt a little unusual, but after reading about 20% of the book, I no longer minded it. In fact, I often forgot that the story was being told by Death, which shows how naturally the narration blends into the story.

Gute Story, hat sich leider vieel zu lang gezogen. War knapp ab der Mitte mühsam zu lesen, weil wenig neues passiert ist. Geschrieben war es nicht schlecht (habe es auf Englisch gelesen). Teilweise leicht verwirrend, wenn man nicht an einem Stück liest. Es wird immer wieder aus der Zukunft erzählt wird, meist vom Tod der betreffenden Person und anschließend lebt sie aber noch. Wie gesagt, an einem Stück ist es okay aber bei dem Teil, den ich immer nur so zwischendurch gelesen habe, war ich immer mal verwirrt.

A book about the power of books and words. About humans and death. And just another reminder what war means.