Message from Dean - May 8th 2007

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Binding: Paperback
EAN: 9780552773898
ISBN: 0552773891
Label: Black Swan
Manufacturer: Black Swan
Number Of Pages: 560
Publication Date: January 01, 2008
Publisher: Black Swan
Studio: Black Swan

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.co.uk Review:
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak was the best-selling debut literary novel of the year 2007, selling over 400,000 copies. The author is a prize-winning writer of children's books, and this, his first novel for adults, proved to be a triumphant success. The book is extraordinary on many levels: moving, yet restrained, angry yet balanced -- and written with the kind of elegance found all too rarely in fiction these days. The book's narrator is nothing less than Death itself, regaling us with a remarkable tale of book burnings, treachery and theft. The book never forgets the primary purpose of compelling the reader's attention, yet which nevertheless is able to impart a cogent message about the importance of words, particularly in those societies which regard the word as dangerous (the book is set during the Nazi regime, but this message is all too relevant in many places in the world today).

Nine-year-old Liesel lives with her foster family on Himmel Street during the dark days of the Third Reich. Her Communist parents have been transported to a concentration camp, and during the funeral for her brother, she manages to steal a macabre book: it is, in fact, a gravediggers’ instruction manual. This is the first of many books which will pass through her hands as the carnage of the Second World War begins to hungrily claim lives. Both Liesel and her fellow inhabitants of Himmel Street will find themselves changed by both words on the printed page and the horrendous events happening around them.

Despite its grim narrator, The Book Thief is, in fact, a life-affirming book, celebrating the power of words and their ability to provide sustenance to the soul. Interestingly, the Second World War setting of the novel does not limit its relevance: in the 20th century, totalitarian censorship throughout the world is as keen as ever at suppressing books (notably in countries where the suppression of human beings is also par for the course) and that other assault on words represented by the increasing dumbing-down of Western society as cheap celebrity replaces the appeal of books for many people, ensures that the message of Marcus Zusak’s book could not be more timely. It is, in fact, required reading -- or should be in any civilised country. --Barry Forshaw




Rating: - Ultimately disappointing
I have mixed feelings about this book. I thought the idea of having Death narrate the story was a great idea and at the end this was superbly done. Unfortunately, he doesn't really have much to do with the story of orphan Liesl and her Aunt and Uncle, the Jewish friend they keep hidden from the Nazis and her friends as it rambles on for hundreds of pages. I don't know if it was his detached reporting of events, but I never really felt as if I was reading about Nazi Germany. The sentimental storyline and some of the phrases used made me feel like I was reading about an Irish-American family and no amount of the odd bit of German was going to change that.

Although some moments were really well written and I thought the author was very brave to try to do something so different, ultimately I found I couldn't really care for the characters as none of it rang true.

Still, I struggled through to the end to find that the author had saved the best for last. If only this ... Read More

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Rating: - The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
This book is absolutley brillant! It appears at first glance to be a simple novel, but it is anything but. Its this deceptive appearence and its easy read narrative that makes it impossible to put down. The book's sweeping illustration of life in Nazi Germany through the eyes of a child and added input from its narrator is sheer genious and ensures that you are hooked on the characters and story from page 1. The book is highly entertaining, funny and unbelievably sad in places. This is absolutely a book that should be added to everyones' book list.

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Rating: - ** A 'Must Read' **'
If you cried at Time Traveller's Wife or sobbed at the Notebook this one is for you.

I remember reading through the tears! You know its a good one when the words swim and you get annoyed that you cannot read any more.

Beautiful story told by a very human-like Death, you may know what's coming but you still are shocked when it happens. Well written and absorbing. You will be buying this book for your relatives and friends just like the Time Traveller's Wife.

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Rating: - Just Amazing
I will not go into the ins and outs of the plot, many many of the other reviewers here can do that for you. I just had to write what I thought of this, I got this as a Christmas present from my father who couldn't understand why I wanted it... I was a bit unsure myself. Suffice to say I am so glad I got it. I have read many war/holocaust novels that have made me think but this one was/is incredible. I have laughed and sobbed through it. I truly think that everybody should read it. The characters of Liesel, Hans, Rudy Max and all of the others come off the page with such intensity that I could not put it down. It is not a happy story, it is not meant to be - but there is an element of triumph amongst all of the tragedy. The writing is fantastic, I loved the way Zusak put it together, the words and the form are such that you cannot rest but to finish it. I didn't want to finish it in some ways, you are led unremittingly towards the end with very little choice.
I put it back on ... Read More

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Rating: - Average story but very original format.
While I enjoyed this novel I felt that beyond its unique structure it was not as brilliant as previous reviewers. The narrator is the Grim Reaper(Death) and he tells us who dies and the endings before telling us the details of the story, a quirky aspect I enjoyed. It is very accessible with short snappy chapters, an interesting look at ordinary decent Germans during WW2 and for a book which addresses the holocaust is not overly sentimental like most novels dealing with the issue. I would recommend without question but don't expect to be reading your all time favorite.

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