As I close this book, my head swirls with the words, saumensch and saukerl… running the streets of Molching, hiding in the basement of 33, Himmel Street… very tiresome.
This book kept coming to me. I first saw it as a Goodreads suggestion, since I had a few books by Ken Follett in my read and to read shelves, so related to World wars. But then a friend’s review put my interest off. My cousin gave this book to me, in exchange for some of my books, and I was tempted, but still not sure. This was chosen for the July group read, and I happened to check the mail only towards the end of the month. I was finding some reason to avoid it, but then finally, I had to read it, the book got the better off me.
The story is set at the back drop of Germany during WW II and so Hitler, Nazis and the holocaust have a sound presence. Also the narrator is Death itself, personified. With all the preconceived notions, as I read the first few pages, it felt such a drag, so negative. At less than about 50 pages I decided to shelve the book. I tried reading Mein Kampf, so that I will not be biased. As I googled for the details of World war, my favorite subject during elementary school, the holocaust, the pogroms. I let go off my prejudices, thought I will try reading once before returning the book.
The initial days of Liesel at the Hubermanns, the child finding solace in the foster father… is such understanding possible even with real parents? The transition of my feelings for Rosa was so subtle, the woman keeps swearing but still made me fall in love with her character. The friendship between Liesel and Max is so beautifully woven, sure to melt hearts. Need to mention, the meetings with the Mayor's wife Ilsa, the thievery at her library, the note Liesel writes to her.
Love is trust, and it is so beautifully brought out where Hans instructs Liesel to keep Max’s presence a secret, while he doesn't even break the news to his own daughter, and still the secret is well kept between the four, all of them not related by blood. Little acts of kindness and care make huge differences to the lives we lead.
There can be many politically correct and (or) better books on the Nazis, holocaust and WWII. For me, this book focuses on the people side of it, and probably that is what makes it a best-seller. Death is inevitable, but dying every moment with the fear of death is despicable.
There is a bit of irony in the way the characters die. Hans dies with so much of guilt, before actually being bombed to death, while Max survives the camp, Rudy dies in spite of not being sent to the war, and Liesel lives to see her grand kids.
This book kept coming to me. I first saw it as a Goodreads suggestion, since I had a few books by Ken Follett in my read and to read shelves, so related to World wars. But then a friend’s review put my interest off. My cousin gave this book to me, in exchange for some of my books, and I was tempted, but still not sure. This was chosen for the July group read, and I happened to check the mail only towards the end of the month. I was finding some reason to avoid it, but then finally, I had to read it, the book got the better off me.
The story is set at the back drop of Germany during WW II and so Hitler, Nazis and the holocaust have a sound presence. Also the narrator is Death itself, personified. With all the preconceived notions, as I read the first few pages, it felt such a drag, so negative. At less than about 50 pages I decided to shelve the book. I tried reading Mein Kampf, so that I will not be biased. As I googled for the details of World war, my favorite subject during elementary school, the holocaust, the pogroms. I let go off my prejudices, thought I will try reading once before returning the book.
The initial days of Liesel at the Hubermanns, the child finding solace in the foster father… is such understanding possible even with real parents? The transition of my feelings for Rosa was so subtle, the woman keeps swearing but still made me fall in love with her character. The friendship between Liesel and Max is so beautifully woven, sure to melt hearts. Need to mention, the meetings with the Mayor's wife Ilsa, the thievery at her library, the note Liesel writes to her.
Love is trust, and it is so beautifully brought out where Hans instructs Liesel to keep Max’s presence a secret, while he doesn't even break the news to his own daughter, and still the secret is well kept between the four, all of them not related by blood. Little acts of kindness and care make huge differences to the lives we lead.
There can be many politically correct and (or) better books on the Nazis, holocaust and WWII. For me, this book focuses on the people side of it, and probably that is what makes it a best-seller. Death is inevitable, but dying every moment with the fear of death is despicable.
There is a bit of irony in the way the characters die. Hans dies with so much of guilt, before actually being bombed to death, while Max survives the camp, Rudy dies in spite of not being sent to the war, and Liesel lives to see her grand kids.
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