Book Thief, The (10th AE) Paperback – 1 January 2016

Reading The Book Thief (10th Anniversary Edition) was a profoundly moving experience. Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death, the story follows young Liesel Meminger, who discovers the power of words amidst the horrors of war. The anniversary edition enriches this journey with bonus content like manuscript pages and author notes, offering deeper insight into Markus Zusak's creative process

"The Book Thief" is a mesmerizing and emotionally charged novel that explores the human experience during World War II. Markus Zusak's masterful storytelling weaves a narrative that is both poignant and powerful.Set in Nazi Germany, the story follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who discovers the power of words and literature during a time of war and oppression. After losing her brother and being separated from her mother, Liesel is sent to live with a foster family in Molching, Germany. As she navigates her new life, Liesel develops a passion for books and words, which becomes her source of comfort, strength, and resistance.5/5

Book is in a very good condition.worth the money. But quality of packing should increase.

A nine year old girl,Liesel Meminger, was being brought to Himmel Street in Molchang town along with her younger brother by her mother to be handed over to foster parents at Himmel Street in Molching town. Unfortunately, her six year old younger brother dies during travel, forcing them to cremate the body with the help of railway guards and some graveyard diggers at a cemetery. Here the young Leslie finds a "The Gravedigger's Handbook" which she picksup and keeps with her without any one noticing.On an occasion her intrest in reading books is noticed by her foster father Hans Hubermann and later on a different occasion by one Ilsa Hermann (The Mayor's wife) while stealing a book during an anti-semitic mass book burning by Germans.Later whem Leslie visits Ilsa Hermann to collect laundry on behalf of her mother,she lets Liesel in to her house & shows her huge book shelfs, with a permission to read them and also going soft on Liesel's stealing books from her house at certain times. She is also encouraged by Max Vandenburg(The Jew,who is in to hiding in Huberman's place under their careful protection)in both reading and writing. On the whole " The Book Thief " by Markus Zusak is an outstanding book.It's different in many ways.On one side,if it's the narration that grips reader, then on the other side, it's about the storytelling,which is both confusing and interesting.Strangely, the story is narrated by death in all fairness and in a human way. Here, the reader is foretold about the unfolding of characters in advance.Whether it's the death of the Pilot,Rudy Steiner, or that of Hans & Rosa Huberman etc the writer tells you in advance while simultaneously bringing there presence in the story which definitely is a page turner not only towards forward pages but also towards backward pages,just to fall in track with the storyline or to clear the confusion that had arisen.The Nazis domination in Germany during WWII ,their tyranny on Jews and their suffering etc are very vividly brought out.The mention of athletic king "Jesse Owens", the long awaited innocent request kiss of Rudy Steiner with Lesilie that never comes up when he was alive,The Love between Leslie and her foster father(Hans Hubermann) Leslie and Max Vandenburg,The hardships and the integrity with which the Huberman's family protects Max Vandenburg etc all makes a wonderful reading.

The story is so great

WW fictions always stimulate a different kind of interest in me. I'm not at a pro level in reading this genre but read only a few. At this point, quite obviously, The Book Thief caught my attention few months back and have got my inquisitive eyes upto the last word only a couple of days back.I have cried. It has torn my heart apart..Just to write the story in brief and add a few sentences regarding my opinion is not what the book deserves when subjected to talk about. There is much more. Imagine you are leaving your parents and home at the age of 9 just because your father being 'kommunistisch' and not supporting the dictatorship. That's what the situation of Liesel Meminger, the protagonist, when she was made upto live with her foster parents and her little brother died in train, in front of her eyes. The story starts..A lot of good and bad things happen with Liesel, just like in our daily lives, make her to grow up mentally, emotionally which are bound to held the reader's attention in tight grip. The wailing of war affected helpless people is all over throughout the book along with the merriment and flattery gleaning of the dictator..Among these what prevails is the humanity. It shows how a genuine kindness doesn't get affected by any excuse of fear or something. It shows how to love a person unconditionally irrespective of race, age, gender, relationship. It shows how our default inner being is immaculate and full of love and kindness until we violate it by our so called 'growth' and 'elderliness'. Plus there is the power of words which are described masterfully by the author in two alternate ways..Its really difficult to express my thoughts on "The Book Thief" in small space. The importance and impact of being kind is what we should learn. The book is enough to question our so called 'humanity'..Although some people says that this book is only to get hype by manipulating the readers emotionally, I don't agree with this point of view. I think its worthy to feel a bit of sadness and pain, atleast through the words, of the poor people affected by the ruthlessness and warmonging nature of vile people. And if you think deeper you can see the picture is quite same even today. Power is ruling all over and persecuting common people and classified them according to the amount of money the people have..The book is loud and subtle at the same time. There is so much into the lines and so much between the lines. The writing is an artistry. And the message is quite clear. If you really assimilate the book you will definitely think twice before being unkind to people around you.