Interim Response: The Book Thief

Absolutely engrossed in this book!

This novel is narrated by Death, which very promptly hooked me - right from the first pages. This unusual narrator brings a very blunt but honest reality to the plot. I am also really liking the layout and structure of the story - it's separated into parts which announce their contents on the beginning page. These parts are then separated into chapters, whose titles are like a keyhole into the chapters contents. Throughout, there are snippets of information interjected into the text. These range from 'reassuring announcements' to translations to subtle hints of the future...

The story shadows Liesel (a young girl) whilst she arrives, settles in and eventually loves her new foster home in Mulching, Germany. She swiftly creates close bonds with her foster parents and a boy named Rudy down Himmel street. I find all of the characters have such rich and complex personalities, that when woven together in each other's lives, create a quirky and unpredictable plot.  Liesel is taught how to read by her dear papa - Hans Hubermann. With her new found ability she (despite her childhood innocence) soon develops into a mischievous book thief! Each part is the name of one of the books she obtains.

Symbolism plays a key role - 'colours' and the Nazi flag regularly crop up... I love Markus Zusak's vibrant yet twisted writing style!

Must get back to reading...
Happy reading, Kate x