Is The Book Thief Effective

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak is effective in many ways from its use of Death as the narrator to its use of historical context in the book. The author puts strong emotion into this novel. The Book Thief is set in Nazi Germany as Jews are killed and sent to concentration camps but the book focuses on one person in particular, a young German girl named Liesel, Death likes Liesel. The author uses death and irony to keep the reader hooked.

One reason The Book Thief was effective was the use of death as the narrator. Death gives spoiler alerts but somehow keeps you interesting. “You are going to die” (3) death uses quotes like this to prepare the reader so they have some idea of what is going to happen as you read through the sad and chilling facts of this book. Death has a salty personality he is more negative than he is positive and I think that interests the reader. “Please, be calm, despite the previous threat. I am all bluster – I am not violent. I am not malicious. I am a result.” (6) in this sentence death describes himself so you know he isn’t as bad as he is described in the movies and made up

stories. At the end of the book death says “ I am haunted by humans” (550) that sent chills down my spine, the thought that one of the things that haunts humans the most is haunted by us, it’s sad that humans can be so horrible that death is haunted by them.
Another reason The Book Thief is effective is the characters.

Hans Hubermann is probably the most inspiring character in this book. Hans gives bread to a dying Jew after he gives the bread to the Jew he is whipped (394). Hans was always there for Liesel he would stay up with her through the night when she has nightmares about her brother’s death and he would read to her. Liesel Meminger is a young girl who at first doesn’t know how to read but with time and the help of Hans Hubermann she learns to read and eventually writes a book. Rudy Steiner is in love with Liesel “if I beat you I get to kiss you” (53) Rudy desperately wants to kiss Liesel and little does he know he is going to get the kiss but it’s going to be after he dies. Liesel is also in love with Rudy “Rudy, please, wakeup, Goddamn it, wake up, I love you” (535) Liesel admits she loves him but it’s too

late.
The author uses foreshadowing to get the reader hooked so they will keep reading. “he had already cheated me in one World War but would later be put into another, where he would somehow manage to avoid me again” (33) Death is always using foreshadowing and I think that it keeps the reader wanting to read even though they know what’s going to happen. “a small announcement about Rudy Steiner he didn’t deserve to die the way he did” (241) in this sentence death foreshadows Rudy’s death but doesn’t tell us when he is going to die, in the chapter that death says this in Rudy is going to jump in a river to get Liesels book and the reader thinks this is how Rudy is going to die. “Or maybe there was women who on Grande Strasse who now kept her window open for another reason- but that’s just me being cynical, or hopeful. Or both.” Death tells us that the mayor’s wife is keeping the window open so liesel can steal books, but Liesel doesn’t find that out until later on in the book.
The use of history in this book made it seem like it actually happened. “I have no idea where the convoy had traveled from, but it was perhaps four miles from Molching, and many steps more to the concentration camp at Dachau.” (389) the Jews are walking to Dachau through the town of Molching. The book also talks about how people hid Jews in their basements and or closets. The book is based on the holocaust and mentions Hitler and the Nazis which actually happened. Kristallnacht is also mentioned in The Book Thief it is also referred to as night of the broken glass. The Book Thief is set in Germany during World War II and the Holocaust, where six million Jews were killed.
The Book Thief has all the good characteristics of a good book. It has heartbreak, sadness happiness, and so many more emotions. As you read through the many pages of this book you will experience all of these emotions. This book is a great portrayal of life under the Nazis, especially as it was experienced as a child. The characters suffer but also are great examples of personal sacrifice, friendship, courage and heroism. To truly understand the book you would have to read it.