A Review: Mark Zusak's The Book Thief

I'll just come out and say it:

I finished The Book Thief.  Oh, and I finally decided to post about it, too.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mark Zusak's prize winning novel, The Book Thief follows the lives of several characters residing in Germany throughout World War II. 

Liesel Meminger, an orphan, witnesses the death of her young brother while being taken to reside with Hubermann family by her biological mother.  Liesel is ever changed by this event, and learns the pain of suffering and loss at a very early age. Once acclimated to life with Rosa and Hans Hubermann, Liesel meets Rudy, her best friend and rival.  The narrative paints the town with characters that reside alongside Liesel and her family throughout the progression of the war. 
I thought, like so many others, that the use of death as the narrator was neither contrived nor lacking.  How poignant is the fact that death is the most prevalent figure in such times? Furthermore, the fact that the novel was written to portray the lives of the Germans who so feared for their own lives was a new reading experience for me.  There's not much I can say that numerous other reviewers haven't already stated.  I've seen arguments that blame Zusak for simplifying the subject matter and the horrific crimes of the Nazi party.  However, I feel that the novel never existed to tackle a huge task of explaining the intricacies of Hitler's rise to power and the fraility of the German nation at this time.  No, Zusak is using the text to explain the power of language and human communication.  Since this is a children's novel, I hope readers understand that the subject matter has been hashed out in more palatable language, while also encouraging young readers to embark on further investigation of this time period. 

The story evokes sympathy and heartache for the individuals that suffered.  It teaches compassion while exploring the darkest sides of the human condition.  I feel that the novel hopes to convince readers of the beauty of language and the power of words. 

I feel the writing itself was not as clear and eloquent as I had imagined it would be after reviewing so many reviews.  The story, however, was a complete success.  It might not be one of my favorite reads of all time, but I certainly enjoyed it and would recommend it to fellow bookworms. 

Note: Book three of the Classics Challenge. (assumed 21st century classic)

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Back to the Classics Challenge: March Check In

Check-in time!  Although I had scheduled this to come at a later date (once I had finished The Book Thief), I feel it's necessary to go ahead and provide a little update.

So, if you remember, Sarah (from Sarahreadstoomuch) asked us to choose one book from eight different catagories, all of which should be considered classics, and would need to be finished by June.  Eight books in six months.  Can't do it?  Don't fret - the challenge deadline has been extended to December; however, I'm still for shooting for the original deadline. 

An overview of my list: (Items in blue denote links to my reviews; bold and italics, currently reading.)

1. A Banned Book- The Jungle Upton Sinclair

2. A Book with a Wartime Setting (can be any war)- Suite Francaise  Irene Nemirovsky

3. A Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) Winner or Runner Up- The Age of Innocence Edith Wharton

4. A Children's/Young Adult Classic- The Magician's Nephew C.S. Lewis

5. 19th Century Classic- Dead Souls Nikolai Gogol

6. 20th Century Classic- The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath

7. A Book you think should be considered a 21st Century Classic- The Book Thief Markus Zusak

8. Re-Read a book from your High School/College Classes- Of Love and Other Demons Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Read: 2  Reading Now: 2  To be Read: 4

So far, things look good.  How about you?

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CC 1: The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Classics Challenge Post 1

As part of the Classics Challenge I was required to read one title considered a children's/young adult fiction classic. I'm generally not a young adult fiction fan. Yes, I read all the Harry Potter novels; however, I was in middle school when they were published and was considered a young adult at the time.  It worked.

Then again, I did choose a The Book Thief to fulfill my 21st classic novel requirement, another title that is considered young adult.

I don't believe I'll get into the habit of reading more young adult, per se, but perhaps these attempts will encourage me to look at the genre in a new light. 

I finished The Magician's Nephew as quickly as expected. A slim novel, coming in at a mere 192 pages, is the first in a seven book series called The Chronicles of Narnia, which has recently been made even more popular due to film adaptation.  I chose the title because I vaguely remember reading them as a child, and had further vague feelings of warmth and enjoyment. 

The novel follows the adventure of Polly and Digory, two children, who, in an attempt to explore an abandoned home via tunnel, end up in the study of Digory's magical, and seriously creepy, Uncle Andrew.  By force, essentially, the children are sent to several other worlds, unleashing a wrathful witch, and witnessing the creation of Narnia along the way. 

This is all fine and well.  It offers children adventure and encourages them to use their imagination.  However, I was utterly dismayed by the similarities between the novel and the creation story in the Bible.  Before reading, I knew of C.S. Lewis's religious background and fervor, but I was overwhelmed by the biblical allusions. 

I was especially annoyed with the woman-as-root-of-all-evil concept that was once again utilized.

All in all, it was a light read, and I could see the appeal of the series.  I don't see myself rereading any of the other novels in the collection.

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Classics Challenge Reading List

A month or so ago I mentioned participating in the 2011 Classics Challenge hosted by Sarah Reads Too Much.  I wanted this challenge to really force me to read things that have been sitting on my shelves collecting dust.  And while it's been difficult picking and choosing, I think I finally narrowed it down.

Classics Challenge list:

1. A banned book- The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

I know!  Can you believe I haven't read this one?  I'm stealing it from J and getting through it.  Must be done.

2. A book with a wartime setting- Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

I started this novel earlier in the year, but set it aside for another title.  This time I vow to finish it.

3. A Pulitzer Prize Winner- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

I really enjoyed Ethan Frome and have had numerous conversations about the value of Wharton's work. This one was on the list without a doubt.  And to prove that fact-- I'll admit that this is the only novel on the list that I actually have to purchase.

4. A Children's/Young Adult classic- The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

I remember reading these as a child.  Somehow I don't remember too many details.  I thought the first book in a seven book series might be just the break I need from all the massive commitments I'm making in the literary world.  Plus, if I'm transported to the time when I did nothing but play in the woods surrounding my home with my three brothers, I have six more to really feel like a kid again!

5. 19th century classic- Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol

Ah, Gogol.  As a lover of Russian literature, I am quite ashamed to admit I've never read any of his work.  Dare I also admit to a literary life devoid of Pushkin, as well? Yes, a true sin.  Bumping George Eliot's Middlemarch off the list, Gogol is a must this year.

6. 20th century classic- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Another book I started and never finished because of other reading commitments.  I have always enjoyed Plath's poetry and knew that I couldn't respect myself until I finished this classic.

7. A book that should be considered a 21st century classic- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I've heard time and again that The Book Thief is a favorite by young and old.  Projected to be a classic in years to come, I threw it on the list because I've heard great things, and because I thought it might be another to calm me down while juggling the book club meetings, the volunteer positions and the maintenance of a social life.

8. Re-read a book from your high school/ college classes- Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I will say, and perhaps you'll never forgive me, but I've never favored Marquez.  I read this, as well as, One Hundred Years of Solitude, which I absolutely detested, in college.  However, I thought I'd pick this novel up and try again.

I feel my list offers diversity, and will be nothing less than entertaining and informative.

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