DEATH'S STORY

Jan. 29th, 2009 at 5:04 PM

OHMYGOODNESS. I just realized I never did a review on this book, even though I read it a while ago. I also re-read it just yesterday. It's an amazing book, and now is one of my absolute favorites.

THE BOOK THIEF

Some Background Information:
- It is written in Death's point of view
- It's about a girl who steals books, but her story incorporates so much more than that
- you can't help but fall in love with the characters
- I will not give away the ending (although death does at some point in the book)
- It made me bawl

As I've said, Death (he makes it clear that he is not like the grim reaper and does not carry a scythe) narrates the story that was written by Liesel Meminger who later takes on the name, the Book Thief. The story defines the periods of her life with the 10 significant boks that she owned, the first being The Grave Digger's Handbook, stolen from the snow in the cemetary where Liesel's brother was buried. A couple things about death: he's an interesting character. He's cynnical and sarcastic, but not in the obnoxious sense. It just makes you want to hear more from him. And he makes it sound although he's not that much different from the humans; sometimes he even admires them.
So there are these small little interruptions in the story where some things are explained, but it's not a part of the written story. If you've opened the book, you know what I'm talking about. I'm not sure how to describe it. It's a bit unusual, but it gives pretty good insight and details that would appear irrelevant if written in the actual story. But they make you so attatched to the characters and to the story itself. Opinionwise, I think it's a very well-written story...I love Hans and Rosa Hubermann and Rudy. And I love Max too....they're unforgettable.
I'm not going to lie....the ending was a big blow. I'm not telling what it is, because that would spoil the entire thing. I cry every time I read it. it was very moving. So I encourage you to read this. It's truly heart-wrenching.