The Book Thief

The Book thief,  Markus Zusak

The story of Liesel Meminger, an orphan living with adoptive parents in Nazi Germany during World War ll, as narrated by Death..."when Death tells a story, you listen.."
Liesel has an irresistible affinity towards books and words. Though Mr. Death is extremely busy with his work that is collecting souls, during the war, he somehow irresistibly follows her. Liesel's love for words and books turns her into a book thief..

Death first meets her when he comes over to collect her little brother's soul.. There he sees her first theft, " The Gravedigger's handbook". And that's the book her papa ( adoptive father) uses to teach her words, later. Death follows her through her childhood, other thefts, adolescence, friendship and a tender bud of love that is charred by a bombing attack..

It is a wonderful book.. Set in a very dark time yet hopeful.. The narration is unique as the narrator himself and makes the book incredibly touching. The Book emphasizes the power of words, how it can be used for good as well as bad..Amidst all the violence, atrocities and war it portrays some good hearted human beings; and narrates a tender, timid and touching childhood love..

Preetha Raj