When death tells a story, you really want to listen. And this time you wouldn't want death to stop. He tells a beautiful and intriguing tale of Liesel Meminger and those around her.
He starts with a train journey. He tells us about the colour of sky that day, Snow white, when he met Liesel for the first time. He took someone away from her, her brother. It was at his grave where Liesel stole for the first time. She didn't know much about the book she stole "The grave diggers handbook", but the words in the book she stole got meaning once she meets papa "Hans Hubberman", who taught her to read.
And then starts a story where words overpower you with emotions,smiles,love and magic.
Set in Molching street,during the Nazi era "The book thief" is a must read. The story sometimes reminded me of Malgudi days but Markus Zusak's style of writing is very original. He paints the story of Liesel in front of your eyes with his imaginative use of words.
The characters around her stay on with you long after you have finished the book. The most notable among them are
- Rudy Steiner
- Hans Hubberman, papa
- Rosa Hubberman, mama
- Max Vandenberg
- IIsa Hermann
This book "The Book Thief" is one hell of a book. It is a slow book, but every page of this book is magic. Some of the scenes in the book like Rudy Steiner as Jesse Owens, when Liesel enters the library, Max painting Fuhrer on the basement wall and so on.
I would recommend this book for every one. And once you've read it, thank me for recommending it.
Image courtesy : www.flipkart.com
