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Markus Zusak

The Book Thief

Nazi Germany. For reasons she doesn't quite understand - something to do with the word Kommunist - nine year old Liesel is going to live with a foster family. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is her story.

Liesel's foster parents oppose the Nazi regime, and are willing to help those in danger - as is shown by them taking in Liesel and hiding Max, a Jew, in their basement. But this isn't a story of heroics - openly fighting the regime would just get you taken away as well. No, Liesel must still have a clean uniform for her Hitler Youth meetings each week. Rather the book is about the little things in life which are changed by such resistance.

The Book Thief. There is plenty of thievery going on in Liesel's community, but she is only on the edges of it. What she does steal is books, once in a while, and each one has it's own story.

This Novel is Narrated by Death. A bit quirky, you might think, and it certainly is for the first fifty pages or so - after that it settles down. What I liked about having such a narrator was that it gets away from using a death as a big event in a story. Yes, people are going to die, but don't let this rule your life.

In summary it's a haunting story giving a different view of a low point of 20th century civilization, and is well worth reading.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 576 pages
ISBN: 0375842209
Salesrank: 97
Weight:0.9 lbs

Published: 2007 Alfred A. Knopf

Amazon price $6.99

Marketplace:New from $6.02:Used from $4.21

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 560 pages
ISBN: 0552773891
Salesrank: 96
Weight:0.85 lbs

Published: 2008 Black Swan

Amazon price £3.59

Marketplace:New from £2.00:Used from £0.48

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Amazon.ca info

Paperback 576 pages
ISBN: 0375842209
Salesrank: 330
Weight:0.9 lbs

Published: 2007 Knopf Books for Young Readers

Amazon price CDN$ 10.94

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 6.14:Used from CDN$ 6.15

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Product Description
It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . . Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul. From the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

From the Hardcover edition.

This book will touch you for sure, don't miss the experience! *****
Although this book already has 917 reviews as I write, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to add my name to the list of lovers of this powerful book. I had a little trouble getting into it at first. After about 85 pages I called the friend who recommended it to ask why she loved it so much. She told me to persevere and I will be greatly rewarded. So rarely do I have tears in my eyes while reading. There are many well written powerful books on the market with heart wrenching tales to tell but this book does it so well without being maudlin and manipulative. It is a very special piece of literature.

This book will touch you for sure, don't miss the experience! *****

Although this book already has 917 reviews as I write, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to add my name to the list of lovers of this powerful book. I had a little trouble getting into it at first. After about 85 pages I called the friend who recommended it to ask why she loved it so much. She told me to persevere and I will be greatly rewarded. So rarely do I have tears in my eyes while reading. There are many well written powerful books on the market with heart wrenching tales to tell but this book does it so well without being maudlin and manipulative. It is a very special piece of literature.

Mr. Zusak's 500 paged masterpiece: The Book Thief *****
I went to Indigo three years ago looking for the new edition of Lolita. My mother who was with stumbled into the YA section and picked this book up for me and said it sounded interesting. I bought it, but I didn't think much of it for the past three years. But last summer when I literally had nothing to read, I read this book after two previous attempts. I devoured this book in one day. SPOILERS INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW There is not enough praise in the world I could give this book. Yes, I had read books about the Holocaust previously, but this book will stand out to me forever. Mr. Zusak's writing style is so captivating and distinct that no one but him could ever write like that. Sure, he breaks the cardinal rule of "show don't tell" but he does it in such a quirky way you really don't care and can't help but enjoy it. There isn't too much action in this book (if you want action go turn on Transformers) but ever scene was written beautifully and masterfully crafted. Although much of the book is about Liesel learning to read and her relationship with Hans, and Rosa, and Max, and Rudy, the Holocaust was elegantly woven throughout the entire book. Even if Liesel is playing soccer or reading or having fun, you still sense the gloom and the mood of the war. Even though Mr. Zusak's writing is superb, the real gems of this novel (tarnished however, in the best way possible of course) are the characters--each one his or her own individual and equally unique and realistic. Liesel was such a relatable character to me, because she acted like a normal 9 year-old girl at the start and 10, 11, and 12 year-old as the book progressed. She struggled to fit in, and she was, not to mention, illiterate. How she overcomes those struggles is what makes her such a wonderful character. Max was fantastic and you couldn't help but dread his fate, Rudy was lovable and you couldn't help but bawl when he died, Hans was the dad you wished you had, Rosa was an animated character that you couldn't help but secretly love. But the most interesting character, perhaps, was the narrator: Death itself. No, we did not get a back story to Death (how could we ever?), but Death was so quirky and witty he was a character, too! The book provided an interesting point of view from a German girl's perspective. This is a book that can be life altering--it really and truly opened my eyes. The ending was probably one of the saddest, most bittersweet ones I have read in quite some times. I cried for nearly ten minutes and then re-read the ending again. You will laugh at Rudy's witty remarks as well as Liesel's snarky comebacks. Your heart will melt when you read about Hans and Max. You will feel Rosa's pain. Most of all, you will experience all of this through Death's perspective. One of the best books I have read in a while. Perhaps I am overrating his book like crazy, but in my eyes, it deserves it all. Overall Grade: A++++++(Haha, no I'm just kidding....) A+ 5 out of 5 stars (If only there was a 6 option. Similar books include: The boy in the striped pajamas, Milkweed, and Hunger Journeys.

Mr. Zusak's 500 paged masterpiece: The Book Thief *****

I went to Indigo three years ago looking for the new edition of Lolita. My mother who was with stumbled into the YA section and picked this book up for me and said it sounded interesting. I bought it, but I didn't think much of it for the past three years. But last summer when I literally had nothing to read, I read this book after two previous attempts.

I devoured this book in one day.

*SPOILERS INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW*

There is not enough praise in the world I could give this book. Yes, I had read books about the Holocaust previously, but this book will stand out to me forever. Mr. Zusak's writing style is so captivating and distinct that no one but him could ever write like that. Sure, he breaks the cardinal rule of "show don't tell" but he does it in such a quirky way you really don't care and can't help but enjoy it.

There isn't too much action in this book (if you want action go turn on Transformers) but ever scene was written beautifully and masterfully crafted. Although much of the book is about Liesel learning to read and her relationship with Hans, and Rosa, and Max, and Rudy, the Holocaust was elegantly woven throughout the entire book. Even if Liesel is playing soccer or reading or having fun, you still sense the gloom and the mood of the war.

Even though Mr. Zusak's writing is superb, the real gems of this novel (tarnished however, in the best way possible of course) are the characters--each one his or her own individual and equally unique and realistic. Liesel was such a relatable character to me, because she acted like a normal 9 year-old girl at the start and 10, 11, and 12 year-old as the book progressed. She struggled to fit in, and she was, not to mention, illiterate. How she overcomes those struggles is what makes her such a wonderful character. Max was fantastic and you couldn't help but dread his fate, Rudy was lovable and you couldn't help but bawl when he died, Hans was the dad you wished you had, Rosa was an animated character that you couldn't help but secretly love.

But the most interesting character, perhaps, was the narrator: Death itself. No, we did not get a back story to Death (how could we ever?), but Death was so quirky and witty he was a character, too!

The book provided an interesting point of view from a German girl's perspective. This is a book that can be life altering--it really and truly opened my eyes. The ending was probably one of the saddest, most bittersweet ones I have read in quite some times. I cried for nearly ten minutes and then re-read the ending again. You will laugh at Rudy's witty remarks as well as Liesel's snarky comebacks. Your heart will melt when you read about Hans and Max. You will feel Rosa's pain. Most of all, you will experience all of this through Death's perspective.

One of the best books I have read in a while. Perhaps I am overrating his book like crazy, but in my eyes, it deserves it all.

Overall Grade: A++++++(Haha, no I'm just kidding....) A+
5 out of 5 stars (If only there was a 6 option.

Similar books include: The boy in the striped pajamas, Milkweed, and Hunger Journeys.

The Book Thief: A Teen's Perspective *****
I've been reading a lot of the reviews for this book and I've noticed a recurring theme with most of them. Some have been saying that this is not a book that teens would enjoy, but I'm here to let you know that that is nowhere near the truth. Now I will admit that I am an old teenager (19 years old) and that I mostly read mangas (Japanese comics) but although I still love Japanese comics, I'm looking for more novels to read, because I've miss them so much from my days as an avid reader. The Book Thief is a beautiful work of art amidst the vampire phase spurred by Meyer's Twilight series gags that I can't seem to escape in bookstores (seriously there's vampire crap EVERYWHERE, and quite frankly I'm sick of looking at it), Marcus Zusak has fired up my desire to read regular books. I'm now constantly on the look-out for more and more great novels like this one and I will be reading more of Zusak's work. I highly suggest any adults out there with teens to let them have a go at this book.

The Book Thief: A Teen's Perspective *****

I've been reading a lot of the reviews for this book and I've noticed a recurring theme with most of them. Some have been saying that this is not a book that teens would enjoy, but I'm here to let you know that that is nowhere near the truth. Now I will admit that I am an old teenager (19 years old) and that I mostly read mangas (Japanese comics) but although I still love Japanese comics, I'm looking for more novels to read, because I've miss them so much from my days as an avid reader. The Book Thief is a beautiful work of art amidst the vampire phase spurred by Meyer's Twilight series *gags* that I can't seem to escape in bookstores (seriously there's vampire crap EVERYWHERE, and quite frankly I'm sick of looking at it), Marcus Zusak has fired up my desire to read regular books. I'm now constantly on the look-out for more and more great novels like this one and I will be reading more of Zusak's work. I highly suggest any adults out there with teens to let them have a go at this book.

best read in a long time *****
There have been so many good reviews of this book. Just wanted to add mine as I loved this book. Can't really understand the young reader tag tho?? A great story but the writing style is the thing that grabs you. Should be used in any writing class as an example of perfection.

best read in a long time *****

There have been so many good reviews of this book. Just wanted to add mine as I loved this book. Can't really understand the young reader tag tho?? A great story but the writing style is the thing that grabs you. Should be used in any writing class as an example of perfection.

Unique, Enchanting, Heart-Breaking: A Modern Classic *****
I usually start my book reviews by writing a story overview to give you a glimpse of what the book is about. And I could do that for this book too ... "This is the story novel of a 9-year-old girl named Liesel Meminger who lives with her adoptive parents in World War II Germany in the working-class town of Molching. Given up by her mother to protect her safety, Liesel loses her younger brother on the train ride to Molching. (At his burial, she steals her first book, The Grave Diggers Handbook.) As she grows up on Himmel Street, we get to know Liesel and her accordion-playing adoptive father Hans Hubermann; her stern (but secretly loving) adoptive mother Rosa; her best friend Rudy; the depressed but kind Mayor's Wife (who passively encourages and abets Liesel's continuing book theft); and the sad but strong Jewish refugee Max (who is hidden in the Hubermann's basement). Set against the backdrop of World War II, we experience the war from Liesel's point of view--from forced participation in the Hitler Youth, to the stress of sheltering a Jew in your basement, to the importance of seeming to support the Nazis and Hitler when you're doing everything you can to subvert their atrocities while not being noticed." ...but I don't really want to do that. Why? Because giving a summary of this book doesn't convey to you what makes this book so incredibly powerful, amazing, gripping and poetic. It makes the book seem somewhat ordinary when it is anything but. For this is an extraordinary book. What makes it so extraordinary? The narrator. Our narrator, you see, is Death. (Yes ... Death. Like the Grim Reaper.) And, as you might expect, Death doesn't come at a story in the same way as you or I. EXCERPT: I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away. Death is tired. Death needs a distraction. A vacation. Which is why he notices colors. To Death, Rudy isn't just a boy. He is the lemon-haired boy. Hans Hubermann isn't just a man. He is the silver-eyed man (whose eyes begin to rust at his death). But Death notices Liesel ... and something about her catches his notice. As Death says: EXCERPT: It's the story of one of those perpetual survivors--an expert at being left behind. It's just a small story really, about, among other things: * A girl * Some words * An accordionist * Some fanatical Germans * A Jewish fist fighter * And quite a lot of thievery I saw the book thief three times. From the very first page until the very last, I was completely enchanted by this book. I loved Death's narration ... his bolded, centered asides, his sly sense of humor, his use of imagery and colors, his way of listing the events in the upcoming chapters, his advice for meeting him, the gentle way he holds a soul in his arms. For me, Zusak's choice of narrator and the way he tells the story elevates this book from "another World War II novel" to a shimmering, dazzling prism of light that reflects our humanness back to us. If you can't tell already, I loved this book. Loved it. When you read a lot of books, you're always hoping for one that will surprise you, tell you a story in a unique way, or open your eyes to what a writer can do with words. For me, The Book Thief was one of those books. Upon starting it, I immediately regretted that I hadn't read it sooner. What if Death had come for me before I got to read it? Then it became a book that I didn't want to end. Although it is 576 pages, I found something to love and linger over on each page. And although I'm not a person who likes to reread books, I know I will revisit this one again. So, if you haven't read it yet, don't delay. It is a wondrous book--brimming with love and dazzling in its inventiveness and words. Perfection. A Brief Aside: For some reason, this book is always classified as a Young Adult novel, which I feel might turn off some readers. Do not let this label fool you into thinking there is anything simplistic about this book. If this is YA book, then it is the pinnacle of the genre. In my mind, I don't see it needing to be labeled as such, and I fear that such a label might keep some readers away from it. Don't make that mistake!

Unique, Enchanting, Heart-Breaking: A Modern Classic *****

I usually start my book reviews by writing a story overview to give you a glimpse of what the book is about. And I could do that for this book too ...

"This is the story novel of a 9-year-old girl named Liesel Meminger who lives with her adoptive parents in World War II Germany in the working-class town of Molching. Given up by her mother to protect her safety, Liesel loses her younger brother on the train ride to Molching. (At his burial, she steals her first book, The Grave Diggers Handbook.) As she grows up on Himmel Street, we get to know Liesel and her accordion-playing adoptive father Hans Hubermann; her stern (but secretly loving) adoptive mother Rosa; her best friend Rudy; the depressed but kind Mayor's Wife (who passively encourages and abets Liesel's continuing book theft); and the sad but strong Jewish refugee Max (who is hidden in the Hubermann's basement). Set against the backdrop of World War II, we experience the war from Liesel's point of view--from forced participation in the Hitler Youth, to the stress of sheltering a Jew in your basement, to the importance of seeming to support the Nazis and Hitler when you're doing everything you can to subvert their atrocities while not being noticed."

...but I don't really want to do that. Why? Because giving a summary of this book doesn't convey to you what makes this book so incredibly powerful, amazing, gripping and poetic. It makes the book seem somewhat ordinary when it is anything but. For this is an extraordinary book.

What makes it so extraordinary? The narrator. Our narrator, you see, is Death. (Yes ... Death. Like the Grim Reaper.) And, as you might expect, Death doesn't come at a story in the same way as you or I.

EXCERPT: I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away.

Death is tired. Death needs a distraction. A vacation. Which is why he notices colors. To Death, Rudy isn't just a boy. He is the lemon-haired boy. Hans Hubermann isn't just a man. He is the silver-eyed man (whose eyes begin to rust at his death). But Death notices Liesel ... and something about her catches his notice. As Death says:

EXCERPT: It's the story of one of those perpetual survivors--an expert at being left behind. It's just a small story really, about, among other things:

* A girl
* Some words
* An accordionist
* Some fanatical Germans
* A Jewish fist fighter
* And quite a lot of thievery

I saw the book thief three times.

From the very first page until the very last, I was completely enchanted by this book. I loved Death's narration ... his bolded, centered asides, his sly sense of humor, his use of imagery and colors, his way of listing the events in the upcoming chapters, his advice for meeting him, the gentle way he holds a soul in his arms. For me, Zusak's choice of narrator and the way he tells the story elevates this book from "another World War II novel" to a shimmering, dazzling prism of light that reflects our humanness back to us.

If you can't tell already, I loved this book. Loved it. When you read a lot of books, you're always hoping for one that will surprise you, tell you a story in a unique way, or open your eyes to what a writer can do with words. For me, The Book Thief was one of those books. Upon starting it, I immediately regretted that I hadn't read it sooner. What if Death had come for me before I got to read it? Then it became a book that I didn't want to end. Although it is 576 pages, I found something to love and linger over on each page. And although I'm not a person who likes to reread books, I know I will revisit this one again.

So, if you haven't read it yet, don't delay. It is a wondrous book--brimming with love and dazzling in its inventiveness and words. Perfection.

A Brief Aside: For some reason, this book is always classified as a Young Adult novel, which I feel might turn off some readers. Do not let this label fool you into thinking there is anything simplistic about this book. If this is YA book, then it is the pinnacle of the genre. In my mind, I don't see it needing to be labeled as such, and I fear that such a label might keep some readers away from it. Don't make that mistake!

READ IT *****
Beautiful, stunning, original. Moving, emotional, tense. I wonder why it has taken me so long to read this book - please don't listen to anyone who says it's depressing - it's not. It's quite simply amazing.

READ IT *****

Beautiful, stunning, original.
Moving, emotional, tense.

I wonder why it has taken me so long to read this book - please don't listen to anyone who says it's depressing - it's not. It's quite simply amazing.

Truly Wonderful *****
I have never written a review before and although there are many I can't resist adding to them. This book is truly fabulous. I started it one night and finished it the next. Usually I put finished books on the shelf even if I have enjoyed them but never have I woken up the next day and read the last few pages again. The last 2 pages in particular made me bawl like a baby again and again. This book will stay with me for a long time and I am glad of that.

Truly Wonderful *****

I have never written a review before and although there are many I can't resist adding to them.

This book is truly fabulous. I started it one night and finished it the next. Usually I put finished books on the shelf even if I have enjoyed them but never have I woken up the next day and read the last few pages again. The last 2 pages in particular made me bawl like a baby again and again.

This book will stay with me for a long time and I am glad of that.

One of the best reads ever *****
This is a slow burner,beautifully written and observed, at the same time shocking. Its one of the best books i have ever read.

One of the best reads ever *****

This is a slow burner,beautifully written and observed, at the same time shocking. Its one of the best books i have ever read.

Page turner *****
Once into this book I could not put it down. Depressing at times due to the circumstances of a people under a repressive and crazy regime there are also wonderful moments too that inspire you. I did wonder if the writer had some family experience that gave him the ideas and background into this era as he looks so young. The detail of the lives of the neighbours in this poor road in Germany are so real I felt it must have been written by someone with close family ties to this time and place. A great insight into life in Germany under the nazis and not one we often hear of. Well done to Markus Zusak.

Page turner *****

Once into this book I could not put it down. Depressing at times due to the circumstances of a people under a repressive and crazy regime there are also wonderful moments too that inspire you.

I did wonder if the writer had some family experience that gave him the ideas and background into this era as he looks so young. The detail of the lives of the neighbours in this poor road in Germany are so real I felt it must have been written by someone with close family ties to this time and place.

A great insight into life in Germany under the nazis and not one we often hear of. Well done to Markus Zusak.

Don't let Death put you off ... ****
This is the first book I have chosen to read for pleasure since I began my English degree four years ago. So it was a big decision - what would the book be? I resisted the urge to read four year's worth of back issues of Heat magazine and settled down to read The Book Thief instead. I heard about The Book Thief from friends at university - quite how they had time to read their own choice of fiction and I didn't, I'm not sure, but figured it was best not to dwell on that! The Book Thief is a story set in WW2 Germany and chronicles the life of the `book thief,' Liesel, a young German girl, fostered by the Hubermanns, friend of Rudy, stealer of apples and lover of books. The narrator is Death ... but don't let that put you off, as this unique voice just serves to highlight the fighting spirit of Liesel and how she continues to elude `him'. It has an almost scrapbook feel to it, interspersing narration with lists, pictures and home drawn books. The only slight letdown is that the story meanders somewhat at the halfway point but the momentum gathered in empathy garnered towards this ordinary, unpolitical German family struggling to survive a war, means that the reader can forgive this slight lull. Like Liesel and her family, the book is not perfect, but that is what makes it wonderful. Sometimes they do right, sometimes they do wrong and, the setting and era aside, the reader, therefore, is still very much able to relate from one flawed human to another. The Book Thief is a celebration of words, of spirit and of friendship - what better book to read after finishing my degree at the ripe old age of 39. If you get the chance to read it, take it - you won't be disappointed.

Don't let Death put you off ... ****

This is the first book I have chosen to read for pleasure since I began my English degree four years ago. So it was a big decision - what would the book be? I resisted the urge to read four year's worth of back issues of Heat magazine and settled down to read The Book Thief instead.

I heard about The Book Thief from friends at university - quite how they had time to read their own choice of fiction and I didn't, I'm not sure, but figured it was best not to dwell on that!

The Book Thief is a story set in WW2 Germany and chronicles the life of the `book thief,' Liesel, a young German girl, fostered by the Hubermanns, friend of Rudy, stealer of apples and lover of books. The narrator is Death ... but don't let that put you off, as this unique voice just serves to highlight the fighting spirit of Liesel and how she continues to elude `him'.

It has an almost scrapbook feel to it, interspersing narration with lists, pictures and home drawn books.

The only slight letdown is that the story meanders somewhat at the halfway point but the momentum gathered in empathy garnered towards this ordinary, unpolitical German family struggling to survive a war, means that the reader can forgive this slight lull.

Like Liesel and her family, the book is not perfect, but that is what makes it wonderful. Sometimes they do right, sometimes they do wrong and, the setting and era aside, the reader, therefore, is still very much able to relate from one flawed human to another.

The Book Thief is a celebration of words, of spirit and of friendship - what better book to read after finishing my degree at the ripe old age of 39. If you get the chance to read it, take it - you won't be disappointed.

A must read! *****
A tremendously inspiring and moving book. Takes the German experience from the World War II and humanizes it on numerous fronts.

A must read! *****

A tremendously inspiring and moving book. Takes the German experience from the World War II and humanizes it on numerous fronts.

Needs to win awards. *****
This book is brilliant. Emotional, captivating and inspiring. I was reading reviews on google and inadvertently stumbled upon this book's review and thought to myself I have to read it and I am glad I did.

Needs to win awards. *****

This book is brilliant. Emotional, captivating and inspiring. I was reading reviews on google and inadvertently stumbled upon this book's review and thought to myself I have to read it and I am glad I did.

Touching and thought provoking *****
Best book I've read on the Holocaust. I'd recommend it for high school students or adults looking for factual historical fiction.

Touching and thought provoking *****

Best book I've read on the Holocaust. I'd recommend it for high school students or adults looking for factual historical fiction.

A great read! *****
I have gotten away from reading fiction, leaving many books half -finished over the last few months. This book drew me right in and just held and haunted me until I finished it. It must have have done the same with the author. I can imagine him struggling to live day to day while carrying this around in his head and heart, letting it out bit by bit, wondering where it was taking him. I loved the author's style and the unique point of view of the narrator. What a great book!

A great read! *****

I have gotten away from reading fiction, leaving many books half -finished over the last few months. This book drew me right in and just held and haunted me until I finished it. It must have have done the same with the author. I can imagine him struggling to live day to day while carrying this around in his head and heart, letting it out bit by bit, wondering where it was taking him.
I loved the author's style and the unique point of view of the narrator.
What a great book!

Hmm... ***
...it didn't move me. Before I began reading it, I was curious about how this novel could have accrued so many accolades...and yet also, some really scathing reviews. The book's blurbs were so effusive. It seemed like reading it was going to be a real experience for me, a truly transcendent experience. It wasn't. On either count. It's well-written. Its often pithy and almost point-form style makes the subject matter easier to process. (Not that I needed it to be; I'm an adult reading a piece of young adult literature.) And the characters are almost all interesting and well-shaped. But it wasn't a memorable story. I didn't find myself not wanting to put it down. In fact, I found myself in 'dutiful reader' mode. I'm glad that this story was written. I'm glad that so many people have clutched it to their chests. And I'm glad for the author's success. It just didn't do it for me...regardless of its category. (Personal rating: 7/10)

Hmm... ***

...it didn't move me.

Before I began reading it, I was curious about how this novel could have accrued so many accolades...and yet also, some really scathing reviews. The book's blurbs were *so* effusive. It seemed like reading it was going to be a real experience for me, a truly transcendent experience.

It wasn't. On either count.

It's well-written.

Its often pithy and almost point-form style makes the subject matter easier to process. (Not that I needed it to be; I'm an adult reading a piece of young adult literature.)

And the characters are almost all interesting and well-shaped.

But it wasn't a memorable story. I didn't find myself not wanting to put it down. In fact, I found myself in 'dutiful reader' mode.

I'm glad that this story was written. I'm glad that so many people have clutched it to their chests. And I'm glad for the author's success.

It just didn't do it for me...regardless of its category.

(Personal rating: 7/10)