19 February 2014

The Book Thief

Woah 2014, what's the hurry? Slow down a bit, please. Summer has been wonderful, a combination of enjoying the outdoors, spending time with my girls and losing myself in novels.

Living.
Loving.
Losing.

That's a great segue into the topic of this blog post. Dear book lovers, I have just finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I am only sharing with you what you will learn if you read the back cover so there will be no spoilers other than to say that it is a tale of love, loss, survival and unlikely friendships forged amongst the setting of Nazi Germany. Narrated by none other than Death itself, it is a story that has not left me since I finished it last weekend.
My thoughts: Some of the most poetic prose I have ever read (and a German swear word or two) beautifully woven into a well-constructed plot with likeable main characters. Poetic prose might sound like a contradiction in terms, but it's the best way I can describe it. I thoroughly recommend it. However, I should mention that I have a penchant for novels that are set against the backdrop of war so if the persecution of Jews or the bleakness that is the reality of war are not themes that hold much interest, perhaps this is not the book for you.

I would love to read some recommendations of your own, feel free to let me know what books have stayed with you long after the final page was turned.

9 comments:

  1. Ooooh, I saw this at the movies and I've got the book on reserve at the library but I think I'm still about 60th in the queue so it could be a while! I've heard the book is way better and I love the sound of poetic prose.

    Have you ever read Cry The Beloved Country set in 1950's South Africa - that's my favourite book ever. I have a copy I can lend you too. Maybe we should catch up and do a swap?!! :-)

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  2. Glad that you have been enjoying your time immersed in your books!! xx

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  3. Amazingly we were talking with my friend last night about this book and the author grew up in the next suburb along from where we live! How far out is that!! He taught at the local high school too!

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  4. I have bought this book for so many other people based on all the great things I've heard - however I've not read it yet! the Kite Runner and Birdsong are two books that I can still acutely "feel" when I think of memorable reads.

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  5. Nemesis by Philip Roth is a book that stays with me. I haven't read the Book Thief yet but it is on my list. My mile long list of books that I might never have time to read. Sigh. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

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  6. I recently read the new Wally Lamb - We Are Water. I still lie in bed thinking about how previous events in our lives can impact on what and how we act in out present lives. Well worth a read.

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  7. Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour bookstore....clever and timely, maybe since I live in Silicon Valley.

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  8. Marcus Zusak's other two books are good reads also. Not as good as The Book Thief but good. Two other very good older books are Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Water For Elephants. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a different type book but is very complex.

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  9. Hi Leanne, Sara gave me the name of your new blog, love it....... I see Julie has read Wally Lamb, I was going to suggest him to you. I've recently discovered him and think he's great. 'I Know this Much Is True" and 'The Hour I First Believed'.
    I read on a website that Wally Lamb thinks that a worthwhile novel should not only draw you into the story but also kick you in the pants so that you'll be more inclined to go out and fix the world. I think his books certainly get you thinking, and do stay with you.

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