Markus Zusak “The Book Thief”

http://www.foerderwerk-natur.de/laden/images/articles/14507AB.jpg

 

The book is about the girl Liesel Meminger, who is given by her communist persecuted mother to a foster family in the fictive place Molching, near by Munich. On the way, her brother dies and is buried. This is the time when the “book thief” Lieses steals her first book “Handbook For Gravediggers”, although she cannot read a word. Her foster father Hans Hubermann later fulfils Liesels ardent wish to learn reading. 

Liesel’s foster mother Rosa Hubermann takes care oft he laundry of some rich people in the neighbourhood. Liesel has to deliver the laundry and makes friends with the wife oft he mayor, who grants her access to her library. When the conditions of the war become worster and she has to quit, Liesel starts to enter the library secretly through an open window to steal books, together with her friend Rudi. 

Liesel shares her love to read with Max Vandenburg, a Jewish man, the family hides in their cellar for some time. Later, because of difficult circumstances he leaves the family. They see him again during a march of prisoners of the concentration camp Dachau. 

The narrator of the whole story is death. He is portrayed as a powerful but peaceful person who plays a central role. He portrays war as his employer and already anticipates the end, when a catastrophe happens, which only Liesel survives. 

Liesel has three encounters with death. Thee first, as already mentioned, is the death of her younger brother. This is an event which accompanies her consistently. 

Later Max Vandenburg gives her a collection of sketches which he has called “The Word-Shaker”. It thematizes the power of words in relation to the repulsive areas of good and evil. In relation to this, Liesel and Rudi witness a plane crash of an English (enemy) pilot. 

And the last encounter also is already hinted. The last encounter with death ist he end oft he book. There is a bomb attack on Molching. Only Liesel survives because she slept in the cellar. She wanted to write her life story into a book, the wife of the mayor gave to her. Both her foster parents and her friend Rudi die. The same to many other people of the neighbourhood. 

Reading this book is emotional and requires a lot of interpretation. But it is definitely one of a number of books which should have been read. It makes you think about some things, but gives you food for thought as well. In my opinion it is very recommendable. 

(Marit)