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Book Review: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
Are you wondering if The Book Thief will be a good read for you? Check out this review of Markus Zusak's bestseller to get an expert's opinion on the story, characters, and themes. With the comprehension of a typical 9-year-old, Liesel Merminger struggles to survive with a foster family in Nazi Germany. Books and the words within become Liesel’s strongest tool as she learns to read and fight for her life. Young adults learning about the Holocaust can gain an insider’s perspective from this fictional portrayal. Readers are taken on an emotional journey narrated by Death.
What makes this book stand out against other WWII fiction novels? Markus Zusak focuses on the children who barely understand the changes taking place in the world. A poetic tone enhances the flow of the story, and the characters will haunt your thoughts long after you finish reading. In addition to the positive and negative aspects, this review covers the author’s backstory to give you insight into his knowledge of the era. With a list of awards the book has received and quotes from expert reviewers, you will gain a better idea of how Markus Zusak's The Book Thief will resonate with you.
What makes this book stand out against other WWII fiction novels? Markus Zusak focuses on the children who barely understand the changes taking place in the world. A poetic tone enhances the flow of the story, and the characters will haunt your thoughts long after you finish reading. In addition to the positive and negative aspects, this review covers the author’s backstory to give you insight into his knowledge of the era. With a list of awards the book has received and quotes from expert reviewers, you will gain a better idea of how Markus Zusak's The Book Thief will resonate with you.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2013
320 people want to read
About the author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 2, 2014
I don't usually write review for books but above all the books I have read I can hands down say this is my favourite book I truly can't fault it i loved the story, how and when it's set and by far the POV from death it really is masterfully written and if anybody can recommend a book like it I'm open to suggestions.
August 20, 2014
The story of Liesel Meminger is told to the reader by the being who collects the souls of the dead. The novel takes place in Nazi Germany and the reaper of souls first sees Liesel when it collects the soul of her brother who dies on the train while their mother is taking them to Munich to be placed in a foster home. She is no longer able to care for the children. Liesel steals her first book at her brother's funeral: "The Gravedigger's Handbook". Liesel cannot read.
Liesel is placed in the home of Rosa and Hans Hubermann who live in Himmel (Heaven) Street in the town of Molching, outside of Munich. Both Rosa and Hans love Liesel, but Hans takes special interest in the frightened child...teaching her to read, staying with her through her nightmares, helping her adjust to her new life and family and friends and always ready to listen.
This is a fascinating book..it not just Liesel's story but the friends she makes, the Jew who the family takes in and hides, the families of Himmel Street, the Mayor's wife (from whom Liesel steals books)...and that of the reaper of souls and the horror of it's duty in Nazi Germany and WWII.
I highly recommend this book It is the first I have read by Markus Zusak, and I will certainly try others books by him.
Liesel is placed in the home of Rosa and Hans Hubermann who live in Himmel (Heaven) Street in the town of Molching, outside of Munich. Both Rosa and Hans love Liesel, but Hans takes special interest in the frightened child...teaching her to read, staying with her through her nightmares, helping her adjust to her new life and family and friends and always ready to listen.
This is a fascinating book..it not just Liesel's story but the friends she makes, the Jew who the family takes in and hides, the families of Himmel Street, the Mayor's wife (from whom Liesel steals books)...and that of the reaper of souls and the horror of it's duty in Nazi Germany and WWII.
I highly recommend this book It is the first I have read by Markus Zusak, and I will certainly try others books by him.
November 16, 2014
A wonderful story of youthful curiosity, tenacity and daring set against a backdrop of a society that controlled the minds and actions of its citizens with fear.
May 5, 2023
Fantastic! Must read for everyone.
February 6, 2018
Such a great book! I love historicals. This one was set in Nazi Germany. So many of those stories are told from a Jewish person's point of view, but not this one. The main character is a young German girl, whose Communist father is taken away and her mother sends her to safety in another town. Took me a little while to get into the formatting, all the capital, bold type here and there. And I finally searched online to verify that yes, the narrator was Death. But once you get past those two things, the story is gripping, compelling. I loved this book.
October 7, 2014
I found this hard to get started but once into it I did enjoy it. This story showes true compassion and the importance as such things as a book that in life today we take for granted. Having a man hide away in your basement to keep him from being killed and risking your own life to do so just shows the love some can have in a time when compassion could get you killed.
June 25, 2014
Just as I was about to stop going to book club, we picked a book that I truly enjoyed. This book which takes place in Nazi Germany is narrated by death. It follows the adventures of a nine year old girl who is of all things a book thief. I gave the book five stars. I enjoyed it tremendously.
October 21, 2015
Wow! Fantastic.
March 31, 2017
excellent historical fiction set in Nazi Germany.
March 18, 2014
A truly enjoyed this book. Well written. Loved it.
February 1, 2015
excellent, emotional, deep. the kind of book that is hard to put down.
February 13, 2015
Took me a min to get into this book, but by the end I was gasping or smiling, or whatever along the way. The perspective is very thought provoking too. Like.
December 28, 2016
Mesmerizing...an awesome book!
July 15, 2025
Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is a moving historical novel set in Nazi Germany, originally published in 2005. Known for its inventive narration and lyrical prose, the book has captivated readers with its intimate portrayal of ordinary people enduring unimaginable circumstances. While many World War II novels focus on soldiers and politics, this story shines a light on the resilience of everyday life during wartime.
The novel follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl sent to live with a foster family outside Munich. As she learns to read, books become her refuge and a way to make sense of the chaos around her. Narrated by Death itself, the story weaves together Liesel’s personal losses, her growing love of words, and her quiet acts of resistance. Through her relationships—with her gentle foster father, her spirited best friend Rudy, and the Jewish man hidden in their basement—Liesel discovers the power of kindness and the danger of indifference.
Pros:
Uniquely imaginative narration that adds poignancy and perspective.
Beautiful, poetic language that elevates the story beyond typical historical fiction.
Deeply developed characters who feel authentic and relatable.
A fresh lens on a much-written-about period, focusing on the humanity of small moments.
Cons:
The unconventional narrative style may take time to adjust to.
The pacing can be slow in some sections, especially in the middle.
In conclusion, The Book Thief is an unforgettable novel that balances heartbreak and hope with remarkable grace. Markus Zusak’s choice to have Death as the narrator is both daring and effective, underscoring the story’s themes of mortality and compassion. For readers drawn to historical fiction that feels both intimate and universal, this book is a must-read—haunting, tender, and ultimately life-affirming
The novel follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl sent to live with a foster family outside Munich. As she learns to read, books become her refuge and a way to make sense of the chaos around her. Narrated by Death itself, the story weaves together Liesel’s personal losses, her growing love of words, and her quiet acts of resistance. Through her relationships—with her gentle foster father, her spirited best friend Rudy, and the Jewish man hidden in their basement—Liesel discovers the power of kindness and the danger of indifference.
Pros:
Uniquely imaginative narration that adds poignancy and perspective.
Beautiful, poetic language that elevates the story beyond typical historical fiction.
Deeply developed characters who feel authentic and relatable.
A fresh lens on a much-written-about period, focusing on the humanity of small moments.
Cons:
The unconventional narrative style may take time to adjust to.
The pacing can be slow in some sections, especially in the middle.
In conclusion, The Book Thief is an unforgettable novel that balances heartbreak and hope with remarkable grace. Markus Zusak’s choice to have Death as the narrator is both daring and effective, underscoring the story’s themes of mortality and compassion. For readers drawn to historical fiction that feels both intimate and universal, this book is a must-read—haunting, tender, and ultimately life-affirming
October 22, 2020
I started this book about a year ago and couldn’t quite follow it. Then I put it down and picked it up again and decided to try and pay more attention to the writing style. The person who recommended this book to me is about eighteen years old and I thought the title was intriguing. The writing style is great. It was easy to follow once I figured out it was in vignettes and was narrated by Death. What an appropriate narrator. I had to smile when Death says that “Hitler delivered himself to me” toward the end, of course. The story is told by Death from the perspective of a child though I hardly think the point of view is that of a child. I think children knew exactly what was going on especially in Germany there would have been no doubt in their minds of who were the hated. I’ve never read a story where one man whose life was saved by another saved the life of a direct descendant of the friend. He couldn’t know he was saving Max’s life but he did exactly that even though he felt bad about pushing him out when he thought he would be arrested for giving another man bread. is that confusing? You should read the book. It’s a bit confusing there, but like I said once I got used to the style I figured it out. Luckily for all of us the Jew survives the story. I don’t think Death felt cheated in that instance. Death says he was very busy in those years. That’s an understatement. You will appreciate the humor and sarcasm, truths and odd twists and turns of this story. It is quite unusual as far as WW II literature goes. I will probably reread the book again in a couple of years. I know I’ll buy it. And I’m sure I’ll read other books by Mr. Suzac.
June 22, 2022
I loved this book so much! It is my ONLY absolute favorite book so far.
It is set sometime in World War 2, normally, when a book is set in any world war, the main character usually is with the Allies but this time, Liesel the main character, (the book thief in other words) lives in Germany. In her life-story, there was death (literally, the actual death as in guy) , love, sadness, fear and horrible suffering. In this story Death, is the narrator, he tells you the story of Liesel who is an adopted child taken in by Hans and Rosa Humbermann. In her story she meets Rudy, her friend and Max, a suffering Jew. Liesel steals books and food also sometimes (coz rations, :( ).
There is a lot of mystery and sadness in Liesel's story, but also a small speck of hope.
Like Death said at the very very beginning of the story...
"here is a small fact: you are going to die"
It is set sometime in World War 2, normally, when a book is set in any world war, the main character usually is with the Allies but this time, Liesel the main character, (the book thief in other words) lives in Germany. In her life-story, there was death (literally, the actual death as in guy) , love, sadness, fear and horrible suffering. In this story Death, is the narrator, he tells you the story of Liesel who is an adopted child taken in by Hans and Rosa Humbermann. In her story she meets Rudy, her friend and Max, a suffering Jew. Liesel steals books and food also sometimes (coz rations, :( ).
There is a lot of mystery and sadness in Liesel's story, but also a small speck of hope.
Like Death said at the very very beginning of the story...
"here is a small fact: you are going to die"
June 11, 2017
This is an incredible historical fiction told in a death perspective during the world war 11. Markus Zusak reveals the ordeals in the light of a young character, probably 12 years or less, who is confronted by a tricky situation as she can’t understand why.
Instead of enjoying her milk of youthfulness, the character is finds it difficult to understand why her community burn books and why they are confronted by the situation at hand.
It is super interesting to watch the young hero copying with the hard environment and live a fulfilled life during this time of immense tribulation. Read More...!
Instead of enjoying her milk of youthfulness, the character is finds it difficult to understand why her community burn books and why they are confronted by the situation at hand.
It is super interesting to watch the young hero copying with the hard environment and live a fulfilled life during this time of immense tribulation. Read More...!
February 2, 2020
This book made me cry..........I remember the second world war............lived in a home with my grandparents, 3 aunts, my parents...........and my Dad the only on working. He tried to enlist in this terrible war, but was refused as the govt. thought his job too important........I recall so many of these stories from talk in our house, and how horrible Mr. Hitler was..............It was a terrible time for Americans after we got involved...........rations, so many people off to war, our food ways changed, the news and movie news was so scary for a child. I was born in mid 1939. How I recall the war, so many of my family were involved..........the blackouts, the rationing, etc., etc. I shall keep this book.
September 6, 2022
From the first line I was I love with this book, this girl, her family, her friends, her street. Death narrates her story and he has a beautiful way of looking and seeing our human world. I could not put this book down once I started it even though I knew by the end that I would be broken hearted . In the last pages of the book, Death says something that sums up my feelings of this story. He says ," There's a multitude of stories (a mere handful, as iv previously suggested) that I allow to distract me as I work, just as the colours do, I pick them up in the unluckiest , unlikeliest places and make sure to remember them as I go about my work, The Book Thief is one such book ". ... Markus Zusak has written a book to be remembered.
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September 2, 2020I think it was a great read. I read all kinds of books and this was a gripping and thought provoking book. My mother was from austria and many of the German words were familiar. Also the Holocaust has always been an interest to me because of my mother. I was not expecting this tale and how this story was told. The narrator being death was a wonderful spin. It will be a while before I find such a delightful change of pace.
April 20, 2023
One of the best books I have ever read; the tears I shed for the characters. From the perspective of death and how the complexity of human interactions can create awful yet beautiful moments. Outstanding!
March 27, 2018
This is the book about the books. This book really hook me into reading. This is one of my book recommendation for all starting to love a book.
May 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this book
January 23, 2021
A must read....
November 10, 2021
Wonderful book, just makes you feel good. Very well written
June 30, 2022
Ya it's a boon for book lover's
January 25, 2024
I loved this book. Death is the narrator
September 26, 2024
This is actually not ok
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November 27, 2024Narrated by Death, this unique and powerful tale set during World War II captures the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews