THE BOOK THIEF-MARKUS ZUSAK
After
all the stuff I had read about words saving the girl’s life, I really
considered the insinuation to be on a more philosophical note. But I was proved
wrong to a great extent. To my surprise, words LITERALLY saved her life!
‘The Book Thief’ written by Markus
Zusak is not just a book about words feeding the soul, or the horrific
consequences of Nazi-Germany or the morbidity of it all. It’s a lot more than
that.
Published
for the first time in 2005 in Australia as an Adult novel, the book begins on a
rather phlegmatic note, contrary to the kind of beginning one would expect
considering the story is set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany. The
narration is calm and serene throughout the book. The narrator is none other
than the omnipresent Death.
Death
narrates the entire plot, giving us a rather humour-filled yet dark perspective
of things. It contradicts the common belief of Death and War being friends.
Death claims to be commiserating, empathetic and unabashedly sick of his job.
I
would say that the author has done a brilliant job with the narration. It is a
unique concept, and the words chosen could not have been more perfect. This
book definitely impressed me because I don’t normally praise books so
wholeheartedly. The scene of a war-enveloped country melts the heart of the
reader with immense sympathy and pathos.
The
book revolves around the main character Liesel Meminger, who has just had to
leave her Communist mother being taken away and watch her brother die in a
train on the way to her foster parents’ home i.e Hans and Rosa Hubermann. She
refers to them as Papa and Mama throughout. She develops an interest in reading
and words after the first time she steals a book, and Papa waters this interest
of her by helping her read each night. The book stealing continues as she finds
herself guided by nothing but words from every possible direction.
In
the first few days of her new life she gets acquainted with Rudy Stiener and they
go on to become best friends. The end of which is heartbreaking.
Eventually,
we are introduced to a Jew-in-hiding, Max Vandunberg who seeks shelter in the
Hubermann’s basement. Liesel and Max’s relationship develops a strong bond, a
testimony of how love sees no barrier of race, religion etc.
The
end of the book is shattering. In a melancholic Hubermann house devoid of Max, Liesel
sits in the basement crafting her own words. Meanwhile Molching is bombed by
the enemy and everyone surrenders to Death’s ambulant arms.
All
but Max. Because had been caught by the Nazis.
I
found it very hard not to notice the irony behind the book’s theme of how all
the Germans die whilst the Jew lives. A cruel humour maybe. In ways it also
brings out the unprecedented nature of life and how death cannot be
prognosticated irrespective of social, cultural and political conditions.
The
book, however, does get slow at times. Death’s narration can get a little
stretchy but he catches up.
Obviously,
these are more of my immediate thoughts about the book rather than a review.
Lots of spoilers too. But it’s a book every avid reader should try. I’m not
sure about the others though.
Also,
a splendid review of the same by John Green:
