My 11th grade English teacher told me about this book, but I didn't think much of it. Then I went to Costa Rica and one rainy afternoon, I sat down and read it. My roommate Annie brought the book in case she had time to read it, but I beat her to it. :) It has been over 2 years since I read it that day in the jungle, but I still think back to it as a quality read. Granted, probably I should have re-read it before writing a review of it, but it made such an impression I can still write about it.
The first thing that captured my attention was that Markus Zusak's novel is narrated by Death.
Secondly, it tells the tale of Liesel in Nazi Germany and of the Book Burnings.
Third, the writing is superb and poignant, lyrical and blunt.
Combine these 3 factors and you have a masterfully written and uniquely perspective WWII novel.
It may not sound like "your kind of book" but give it a chance. Test it.
And, just for your enjoyment, here is an excerpt:
"I've seen so many young men over the years who think they're running at other young men. They are not. They're running at me."
"Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day. That was the business of hiding a Jew." (p.239)
