Markus Zusak, The Book Thief Review

Overall Rating

Highly original style, gripping, deeply moving. The wonderful characters, particularly Leisel and Max. An original narrator who had both ironic precision and heart-warming insight.

I have no patience with those who suggest its overwritten. I loved it and cried and cried after finishing it. I cannot see anything critical in this wonderful piece of writing.

I was deeply moved by this, mostly because of the innocence of the children as they struggle to understand the barbaric cruelty and intolerance of adults. Fortunately this cruelty is more than balanced by the wonderful humanity of Papa Huberman, who gives the reader faith that people can do the right thing in such oppressive conditions. The narration from Death is an excellent device as it often warns of future events and then tricks at the last moment. However, nothing can prepare for the heart-rending conclusion, which had me weeping uncontrollably for such loss and such hope.
A truly wonderful novel.