I finally finished reading a book that took me a while to get through.
I’ve started it multiple times over the past few months but never got far. This time, I stuck with it, and I’m glad I did because now it’s one of my favorite books.
And the said book is The Book Thief by Markus Zasak.
If you’ve read the book, I’m sure you know how great it is. And if you haven’t, please do. The book is set in Nazi Germany during World War II and is narrated by Death itself.
It follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl sent to live with foster parents. The story will give you deep insights into Liesel’s struggle with poverty, loss, and the horrors of the war.
There was a particular instance that stuck with me. It was when Liesel and her friend, Rudy, found a coin on the road and decided to buy mixed candies with it.
But after reaching the store, they realized that the coin would only get them one candy, and as the said candy was hard; it was difficult to break it into two halves. So, they concluded that each one of them would suck on it exactly seven times before giving it to the other one.
I had to stop reading the book at this point because:
I wanted to suddenly cry even though the scene was not described in a sad way.
It was a moment that made me reflect on my own privilege.
I’ve read many books where reading books played a major role in the protagonist’s life and even though The Book Thief is kind of the same book, it starts in a way I hadn’t expected.
I don’t know why even before starting the book; I decided that Liesel would be the girl who loves to read, steals the books and the books give her a way into some alternate reality, making her life in bleak circumstances tolerable.
And I couldn’t have been more wrong.
First, Liesel didn’t even know how to read when the book started. How she learned is such a beautiful story. I don’t want to ruin it.
Next, she was indeed the book thief, but why and how she stole the books is a major part of this book.
Books saved Liesel’s life, but not exactly in the way I thought. As the death perfectly described:
When she came to write her story, she would wonder when the books and the words started to mean not just something, but everything.
And Liesel’s book also gives solace to people around her, which was another scene that’s imprinted on my mind.
This book is powerful and it will change you.
I don’t know how, but it will.
And this was the best I could do without ruining the plot for you. The death does it throughout the book. That’s what makes this book even more special. I knew what was going to happen as death already narrated it in advance, but still every scene was so beautifully written, that I cried a little in my office (it was lunch and no one saw me, thank god)
The last 10% of the book was hard for me to read. I knew what lay ahead, and I didn’t want the book to end. So, I procrastinated a little until I gave in and finished it in one go.
If you’ve read this book, I’d love to hear about your experience. If you haven’t, consider giving it a try, and I look forward to hearing about your thoughts in the future. Email me your experience when you finish!
In the end, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book
She was the book thief without the words. Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain.
I’ll see you next Tuesday.
S 🩵
One of my favorite books! You inspired me to re-read it 💜