Monday, March 3, 2008

Thommy-Boy's Thoughts on The Book Thief

First and foremost . . . I totally heart this book. I gave it five stars in Goodreads and have already recommended it to a couple of people. Great choice Laura . . . great choice.

1.The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
I really liked the narrator, I think it is what made the book special. The author did a great job "humanizing" Death and it was through his eyes that I think the reader could best understand what was going on with all the characters and the setting. I had no problem with how things were given away. There was a sense of foreboding in the story any way and I felt prepared for much of the tragedy. As things approached I still was tense and sad, but not too emotional. I don't know if I could have handled the book if there weren't some give aways. I think it would have just been too darn sad and too much at once.

2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
What about Papa and Liesel? Without Papa would Leisel ever have been able to recover from her brother's death, would she have been able to learn about hope and goodness, would she have been able to come out of the darkest times in her life? Without Leisel would Papa have been able to have hope for a good future, would he have been able to have something to live for, would he have been able to see the goodness in the tragedy that was his life and situation?

3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
I think that you make a good point about how books draw her to her family and help create relationships. Liesel's relationship with books reminds me of Francie Nolan's relationship with books in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. They both use books to learn, to develop, and think of a better world. I think it is books that help both of these characters wish for more and then seek it. Books are also an escape from the harsh reality of life, and they gave these girls the hope that they needed. I think that we all enjoy that about books.

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