Book Thief Reflection

Over the past couple of weeks I have been enjoying The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I picked this novel because when I first heard about it, it instantly was caught to my attention. Not only was it a bestseller but also a film produced. All the talk and gossip had me intrigued for awhile. I am so glad this class gave me the opportunity and motivation to read it. The culture of this novel is about Adolf Hitler and the disturbing hatred he had toward Jewish people. My Aunt is Jewish and so are a lot of my family friends which is why I identify with it.
Markus Zusak is an Australian author although his mom is originally from Germany. He grew up in a household where stories about the Holocaust were greatly talked about. His mother has many memories of when she was a kid and witnessed people being herded to concentration camps. Some of the stories she told were ideas never mentioned in documentaries. This brought him the inspiration to write a book of his own including the ideas his mother gave him. Markus Zusak’s writing is so powerful and momentous throughout the book. I can feel the impact that words and language have in both a positive and negative way. The Book Thief takes place during World War 2 in Nazi Germany. At this time Jews were labeled by slurs and the negative impact is strongly felt. …show more content…
The novel is about a young German girl, Liesel Meminger during World War 2 who lives with her Foster parents. Throughout the story Liesel grows from a little girl to an alert and careful adult. She must keep a Jew hidden and in secret in her basement. Max, Liesel, and her family encounter a lot of danger while hiding away Max during this awful time in Germany. I felt Liesel’s emotions of anger and love throughout the book. I could hear Death’s voice narrating the story from the beginning. This book left me in tears but I can honestly say it took me on a journey and was a pleasure to