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  Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

  An original and intelligent book that is unlike anything that I have ever read. The book is set in Nazi Germany,, and follows the story of Liesel and after finding a book in the snow, starts to love reading and because books are hard to find she resorts to stealing them. This is a brilliant book that will stay with you long after you've read it.

  Review by Sally of the Borders on 2009-02-19 10:49:02

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  book thief

  Death, the narrator in this story makes many visits since it is set in Nazi Germany. |The first however to be visited is Liesel's brother,whilst on route to a foster family. At the funeral Liesel steals her first book" The Grave Diggers Handbook" - an unlikely "first reader " book, but with the patience of her foster father Leisel makes many journeys both literary and emotional in the course of her career as a book thief.

  Review by susan ravalde on 14:04, 04 Apr 2008

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  3-star review

  Incredibly well written and with such originality. This novel marks one of those increasingly rare moments when one stands back and bows to the author for giving the world such an excellent book. The story starts on a train, where a boy dies. And then is narrated by the one being that is always their at the end of life, Death. The grim reaper tells the tale of a young girl. Taken from her mother and sent to live with another family during Nazi-Germany. A time when Death had almost too many souls to carry. He talks about her life, the difficulties growing up, of one plight after another that seem to spring up in her life. And of the crippling fear that Nazism brought, not just to Germany’s enemies, but to it’s own people. But in some way, it personalizes the Grim Reaper, in such a moving way that you could almost feel sorry for him. I applaud Zusak for such a wonderful book, and look forward to anything else this promising author may bring.

  Review by Nathan Thompson on 14:04, 04 Apr 2008

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  The Best Book Ever Narrated By Death Himself!

  This may well be the only book to be narrated by the Grim Reaper himself, and that is just one of many little touches that makes this book unforgettable. "The Book Thief" is the story of Lisel, a nine year old girl in Nazi Germany, who crosses the path of Death a number of times. The beautifully written and enchanting nature of this novel shines through its grim back-drop, but with Death telling the story, keep some hankies close.

  Review by Jo Wallace on 14:04, 04 Apr 2008

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