The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Published by Picador/Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Limited: 2020 (2005).

This year, for the first time, I am teaching an 'Academic' Year 12 class. That means I am teaching a book study at Year 12 for the first time, which also means I need to find a book to study at that level as well! Thus, I am looking through some of the books that the English Department has 'earmarked' for Year 12, and this is the first of those. 

I have heard of The Book Thief before. I have even seen the movie, which was appropriately moving. I remember that 'Death' was the narrator, although I don't fully remember how much the 'character' of Death came into the story itself. In the book The Book Thief, Death is once again the narrator, and plays an interesting role. He is kind of a character, commenting on proceedings, having a personality of sorts (he cares about some of the characters), even having the ability to take physical objects, in particular, the titular book.

Yes, to be clear, the book The Book Thief contains not only a book thief, but a book called 'The Book Thief', written (eventually) by the book thief from The Book Thief.

The book thief in question is Liesel Meminger, a girl growing up in Nazi Germany, whom we first meet (through the eyes of Death) as her little brother dies. At the graveside, she impulsively steals The Gravedigger's Handbook - her first theft. Her mother, a Communist, is no longer able to look after her, and Liesel is sent to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann in the town of Molching. Here she befriends a boy named Rudy, learns to read, and eventually - with the Hubermanns - helps to shelter a runaway Jew in the basement. 

Being a WW2 book involving a Jew and narrated by Death, it is apparent from the outset that this is not a 'light' book, but it does manage to be well written, mostly sweet, and with a strong tone of melancholic-redemption. Many people die (most of whom Death informs us will die long before the plot reaches that point!) and yet, it is still hopeful. At the same time, many people are already lost and broken, whether they are living or not. 

It's interesting.

It's complex.

It's... a little bit long to 'easily' be a book study (almost 600 pages!)...

But it's a worthwhile read, nonetheless.

It will stick with me for some time to come.

Completed 11 January 2026.

Previous Book ~ Next Book

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