I started reading this thinking I would be reading a book before seeing the movie. The movie looked good. I very much am fascinated by that era in our history- WW2 and the Nazi invasion of the world (I know it's not literally the world, but we all know about it and the atrocities, so it really is in the psyche of the world). What I wasn't prepared for was the sheer love for a book that would soon become a well loved favourite. Although I have only read it once at this moment, I know that I will read it again and again with any hesitation.
The Book Thief follows a young girl by the name of Liesel (one of my favourite name for a girl. I hope to name a daughter of my own that one day). After loosing her younger brother and her mother abandoning her- leaving her with another family, she is sure her world couldn't get worse. The only problem with that, the year is 1939 in Germany. The very beginning of the reign of terror imposed on the country by the man who changed the world, Adolf Hitler. Two precious lives collide when Liesel's foster family hide a Jewish man in their basement. Everyone is put at risk but despite the danger a friendship blooms. more than that, a love of words bloom. Liesel couldn't read when she stole her first book, but through the persistent love of her foster father and her continued thieving of books , Liesel, the young book thief learns not only how to read but exactly what the power of words can do. she begins to understand so much more than any young girl should when she grows to love and hate the written word. What makes this book so unique is it is written from the perspective of Death. the all-seeing, but not necessarily all-knowing bidder of the afterlife. It's through Deaths eyes (Death is quite rightly not given a gender, and I think that is definitely for the best). and Liesel's words that the story is brought to life. The highlights and lowlights of a small town stuck in the middle of Nazi Germany. The lives loved and lost (It's not a spoiler- its WWII, thousands of people died on a daily basis), the triumphs and tragedies that plagued a nation for years.
As I said before I didn't expect this book to be anything life changing, but good golly miss dolly was I proven wrong. If nothing else this book says appreciate life and what you have cause you never know when it will be taken away from you. Or in some cases ripped away from you. Life isn't fair and sometimes you have to take whatever opportunities you have in front of you, even if they're not the ones you would usually go for. It says be strong in the face of adversity and you can make it through anything, you will be scarred and hurt and angry but you will be alive and that is more than a lot of people can say. Be thankful for what you have and above all remember that family- blood related or otherwise is everything. As long as they're safe, happy, healthy and above you should be rejoicing to the heavens. There is a reason this book is a New York Times best seller. A very very good reason. Do yourself a favour, pick it up and just start reading. Admire the words and realise- just as Liesel did- how much of an impact they really can have.
