I used to be quite unhappy with most WWII fiction books. Either they didn't tell the story properly, they were too graphic or favored only one side of the story. This book helped me shape most of my views on one of the darkest times in our world's history. In my opinion, it's completely different from all the other WWII books I've read.
I had wanted to read it for a while because it was increasingly becoming popular and I've heard that it is going to be made into a movie. I can't wait to see Liesel and Rudy on the big screen. I was browsing on the library website once and saw it under the bestseller children's list. That's when I remembered to request it.
Here's the cover that I read from.
The story starts with little ten year old Liesel and her brother riding a train to go to their foster family's house in a town called Molching. Their mother just recently died and they are being sent to a new home. Unfortunately, Liesel's brother dies from a severe cold and it is her alone who will reach Rosa and Hans Hubermann's house.
Rosa Hubermann is a strict lady who always wants everything done perfectly. She rarely shows any emotion except anger and frustration. She often calls her husband Hans (and then Liesel later on) Saukerl or Saumensch. Meaning "garbage" and "idiot". But she really does care. Deep down there is a frightened woman hoping every day that she won't wake up to be dead or see her loved ones dead.
Hans Hubermann is an easygoing accordion player who pays little to no attention to his wife's constant insults. It's a miracle that they get along at all. Even though he has a very mellow and accepting personality, he holds a dark past and a whole boatload of secrets he doesn't even trust Rosa with.
Liesel starts school and starts a deepening friendship with a boy named Rudy Steiner from her neighborhood. They go on many escapades together, trying to steal food from others in these hard times.
But if there's one thing Liesel can't get enough of in this new life, it's the books. They started as the book she saw buried in dirt at the train station. It was called the Grave Digger's Handbook. It was about what its name implies. Then it grew to midnight lessons on German with Hans Hubermann. He taught her how to read. And then to write. Soon she had finished the Grave Digger's Handbook and was moving on to other books.
Then came the man who changed her life forever. Max. An escaped Jew. He was the son of Hans' friend who died in the first World War. Max hid in their basement and escaped capture for how many months. He and Liesel had a steady friendship. Soon she began to love him as a brother. Until he too had to leave. He walked away with his bag slung across his shoulder.
Rudy gets selected to enter the Nazi Army, but his father refuses. The war rages on. Until what Liesel had dreaded most happens. Until it is all over.
My thoughts-
One of the most well-written books I have ever read. Let me start with the narration. The interesting thing about this book is that Liesel isn't the narrator. It is Death who is narrating the story. Death often explains how she is often left so busy during the war to carry souls. But whenever she had to come to Molching, she would always spy on Liesel and note down some more of her life story.
As she says, "Only a few men are able to cheat me once. But there are even fewer who can cheat me twice." And that's almost exactly what Liesel did. She cheated Death so many times just to be with the ones she cared about.
And the end is just about the saddest I have ever heard of. Even Rudy was gone during the air raid. I like how Death says that she just pulled Rosa's soul out from her mouth mid-snore and left her mouth there open and gaping. All who were left were Liesel and Mr. Steiner. They together are trying to resurface Molching from the rubble. I didn't cry (I'm pretty heartless while I'm reading. I feel no emotion while doing it.) but I could feel myself getting sad by reading it.
Everything is perfectly paced. Liesel spends about four years with the Hubermanns before the story ends. Those four years actually feel like four years because Zusak writes about almost every day of that time.
In short, one of the most touching historical fiction books I have ever read.
I had wanted to read it for a while because it was increasingly becoming popular and I've heard that it is going to be made into a movie. I can't wait to see Liesel and Rudy on the big screen. I was browsing on the library website once and saw it under the bestseller children's list. That's when I remembered to request it.
Here's the cover that I read from.
The story starts with little ten year old Liesel and her brother riding a train to go to their foster family's house in a town called Molching. Their mother just recently died and they are being sent to a new home. Unfortunately, Liesel's brother dies from a severe cold and it is her alone who will reach Rosa and Hans Hubermann's house.
Rosa Hubermann is a strict lady who always wants everything done perfectly. She rarely shows any emotion except anger and frustration. She often calls her husband Hans (and then Liesel later on) Saukerl or Saumensch. Meaning "garbage" and "idiot". But she really does care. Deep down there is a frightened woman hoping every day that she won't wake up to be dead or see her loved ones dead.
Hans Hubermann is an easygoing accordion player who pays little to no attention to his wife's constant insults. It's a miracle that they get along at all. Even though he has a very mellow and accepting personality, he holds a dark past and a whole boatload of secrets he doesn't even trust Rosa with.
Liesel starts school and starts a deepening friendship with a boy named Rudy Steiner from her neighborhood. They go on many escapades together, trying to steal food from others in these hard times.
But if there's one thing Liesel can't get enough of in this new life, it's the books. They started as the book she saw buried in dirt at the train station. It was called the Grave Digger's Handbook. It was about what its name implies. Then it grew to midnight lessons on German with Hans Hubermann. He taught her how to read. And then to write. Soon she had finished the Grave Digger's Handbook and was moving on to other books.
Then came the man who changed her life forever. Max. An escaped Jew. He was the son of Hans' friend who died in the first World War. Max hid in their basement and escaped capture for how many months. He and Liesel had a steady friendship. Soon she began to love him as a brother. Until he too had to leave. He walked away with his bag slung across his shoulder.
Rudy gets selected to enter the Nazi Army, but his father refuses. The war rages on. Until what Liesel had dreaded most happens. Until it is all over.
My thoughts-
One of the most well-written books I have ever read. Let me start with the narration. The interesting thing about this book is that Liesel isn't the narrator. It is Death who is narrating the story. Death often explains how she is often left so busy during the war to carry souls. But whenever she had to come to Molching, she would always spy on Liesel and note down some more of her life story.
As she says, "Only a few men are able to cheat me once. But there are even fewer who can cheat me twice." And that's almost exactly what Liesel did. She cheated Death so many times just to be with the ones she cared about.
And the end is just about the saddest I have ever heard of. Even Rudy was gone during the air raid. I like how Death says that she just pulled Rosa's soul out from her mouth mid-snore and left her mouth there open and gaping. All who were left were Liesel and Mr. Steiner. They together are trying to resurface Molching from the rubble. I didn't cry (I'm pretty heartless while I'm reading. I feel no emotion while doing it.) but I could feel myself getting sad by reading it.
Everything is perfectly paced. Liesel spends about four years with the Hubermanns before the story ends. Those four years actually feel like four years because Zusak writes about almost every day of that time.
In short, one of the most touching historical fiction books I have ever read.
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