I highly recommend this masterpiece of literature and historical fiction to everyone who loves to read and even those who don’t, as this would change their opinion of reading. Rarely will you find a book so incandescent and intense, it would move you deeply. From an unlikely narrator in Death himself, to a strong and courageous protagonist, to endearing as well as flawed but sincere characters, to a War that’s about to happen and did, to friendships that know no race or religion, to moments that reveal what it truly means to be human, this story will make you feel things.
This coming-of-age story set in Nazi Germany in World War II follows nine-year-old Liesel Meminger when she first came to Himmel Street at Molching, Germany, and starts a new life there. A starving, timid, awkward girl, who first stole a book at her brother’s funeral and who always wakes up in the middle of the night screaming from dreams of her brother’s death, Liesel meets people who would teach her kindness, love and the power of words.
Reading this book also reveals the power of the author’s words as he builds a world so vivid it is as though you are also at Himmel Street, watching Liesel play soccer with the neighborhood kids or in the kitchen with Hans and Rosa watching them play the accordion and cook soup. In parts funny due to the characters’ personas and sense of humor as well as Death’s sardonic wit and also heartbreaking due to the background of World War II and dehumanization of the Jews, reading the book is also an emotional roller coaster ride.
There are themes of death and loss but also of courage and hope, emotions many of us are familiar with and so we are able to empathize with Liesel and the rest of Himmel Street’s occupants. Although there is suffering and even Death himself is confused as to how humans can be both glorious and ugly, there is love, tender and pure, emanating throughout the book, shining like a brilliant light even during the darkest moments, and that is what makes this book so extraordinary.
