Module 10: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Citation:
Zusak, M. (2005) The book thief. New York : Alfred A. Knopf : Distributed by Random House.
Summary:
This story is a third person omniscient novel as told by Death. Death tells the story of the book thief, Liesel, who grew up in Nazi Germany. Unlike many novels written about this time, it is not about the concentration camps, though they are mentioned and not glossed over. This is about Liesel, a little girl who lost her family (because her parents were communists and her brother dies on the way there), and was put into the care of Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Liesel's life was pretty simple for a few years, she got a best friend (Rudy) and Hans and Liesel worked on her reading, since she was behind. Then Max comes in the picture. Max is Jewish and the son of the man who saved Hans's life. As the war seems to be progressing it gets more and more dangerous for the Hubermanns to keep Max a secret.
My thoughts:
What a compelling story. I have read many stories about the holocaust, but this is something new. The way Death uses colors to describe people, and events like war and the ovens, really had the desired affect. Liesel and the Hubermann's struggle to keep themselves safe in Nazi Germany while wholeheartedly disagreeing with the views of the Führer sheds a light on a rarely told story. I don't think this is a story that needs repeating or more stories like this need to come out, as I feel it is more important to hear the voices of the oppressed, rather than the oppressor, but having some light shed on this part of Nazi Germany was important as well.
Professional Review:
"Opening accordion music sets a somber tone for the introduction of Death, the storyteller of this powerful book. British narrator Corduner, whose crisp enunciation reveals a reverence that Death affords departed souls, does an outstanding job. His affable asides lighten the seriousness of his reading task. Death relates events in the life of Liesel, a young foster child who lives with Rosa and Hans in a town in Nazi Germany. Watching and listening as the inflammatory remarks of the Führer affect her life, Liesel gradually realizes both the power and comfort of words. Transforming from the Death character, Corduner dons a guttural Germanic accent in his portrayal of multiple characters, including strident Rosa. He reads Liesel in warm, affectionate tones and captures the playful, boyish bantering of best friend Rudy. The shouts and calls of neighbors contrast with the harsh, discordant orders of the Nazi soldiers. "Heil Hider," a standard greeting at Hitler Youth meetings, is authentically relayed. Thanks to Corduner's moving interpretation, the horrors and impact of Hider are readily discerned through the eyes of resolute Liesel"
Pam, S. H. (2007). The book thief. The Booklist, 103(11), 68. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2165/docview/235682072?accountid=7113
Library Use:
This book, along with others with it, would be great for a point of view discussion or display, not only does it show a different side of Nazi Germany, but it also shows a great use of the third person omniscient point of view writing.
Zusak, M. (2005) The book thief. New York : Alfred A. Knopf : Distributed by Random House.
Summary:
This story is a third person omniscient novel as told by Death. Death tells the story of the book thief, Liesel, who grew up in Nazi Germany. Unlike many novels written about this time, it is not about the concentration camps, though they are mentioned and not glossed over. This is about Liesel, a little girl who lost her family (because her parents were communists and her brother dies on the way there), and was put into the care of Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Liesel's life was pretty simple for a few years, she got a best friend (Rudy) and Hans and Liesel worked on her reading, since she was behind. Then Max comes in the picture. Max is Jewish and the son of the man who saved Hans's life. As the war seems to be progressing it gets more and more dangerous for the Hubermanns to keep Max a secret.
My thoughts:
What a compelling story. I have read many stories about the holocaust, but this is something new. The way Death uses colors to describe people, and events like war and the ovens, really had the desired affect. Liesel and the Hubermann's struggle to keep themselves safe in Nazi Germany while wholeheartedly disagreeing with the views of the Führer sheds a light on a rarely told story. I don't think this is a story that needs repeating or more stories like this need to come out, as I feel it is more important to hear the voices of the oppressed, rather than the oppressor, but having some light shed on this part of Nazi Germany was important as well.
Professional Review:
"Opening accordion music sets a somber tone for the introduction of Death, the storyteller of this powerful book. British narrator Corduner, whose crisp enunciation reveals a reverence that Death affords departed souls, does an outstanding job. His affable asides lighten the seriousness of his reading task. Death relates events in the life of Liesel, a young foster child who lives with Rosa and Hans in a town in Nazi Germany. Watching and listening as the inflammatory remarks of the Führer affect her life, Liesel gradually realizes both the power and comfort of words. Transforming from the Death character, Corduner dons a guttural Germanic accent in his portrayal of multiple characters, including strident Rosa. He reads Liesel in warm, affectionate tones and captures the playful, boyish bantering of best friend Rudy. The shouts and calls of neighbors contrast with the harsh, discordant orders of the Nazi soldiers. "Heil Hider," a standard greeting at Hitler Youth meetings, is authentically relayed. Thanks to Corduner's moving interpretation, the horrors and impact of Hider are readily discerned through the eyes of resolute Liesel"
Pam, S. H. (2007). The book thief. The Booklist, 103(11), 68. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2165/docview/235682072?accountid=7113
Library Use:
This book, along with others with it, would be great for a point of view discussion or display, not only does it show a different side of Nazi Germany, but it also shows a great use of the third person omniscient point of view writing.
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