It’s quite bizzare, rare even, to come across a book which is narrated by death itself. A kind, deep, gentle death who sympathizes with his victims. Markus Zusak does wonders; leaving the readers spellbound by his astonishing narrative. Set in the beginning of World War II in Germany, the plot revolves around destruction and love and death and friendship. It talks about how a young girl, Liesel, arrives and adapts to her new home after the death of her younger brother. The character development speaks volumes as the story proceeds. From her loving father Hans, to the Jewish fighter Max that shows up unannounced at their doorstep. By the due course of the book, Liesel steals her first book, and then goes back to steal some more. She learns how to read and write, with the letters sprawled across her walls in paint. She learns what loss is, and more importantly how to cope up with it. Recognizing the power of sharing the written word, Liesel also writes her own story, and shares the power of language with Max. She befriends her neighbour Rudy, a smart, skinny, blue eyed boy who is always trying to win her attention.By the end of the book, you will have fallen in love with the characters so much, that nothing will leave you prepared for the twist that is to come. This teaches you, rather instills in you, that even amidst death and destruction, there can still be place for kindness and love.
– Swara Shah
Another Level Higher 