Book Review-The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Oh.  I liked this book.  I like the way it was written.  I like the main story.  I like the sub plots.  I just liked this book all the way around.

The story takes place in WWII Germany, where a girl is taken in by foster parents when her own mother can't take care of her anymore.  She has several incidents that happen to shape her belief in stealing, such as death, famine, bombings, the inequality of gender, and race, and then her own desire to learn and know.  Liesel is also faced with what would happen to her or her family if the Jew they are hiding is found.  Her foster family is compassionate.  They are dissatisfied with how the Jews are treated.  They hold on to those beliefs as long as they can until to survive, they must conform.  They do as little as possible in the Nazi world.  Liesel's character is varied, as humans are.

Some other characters I loved; Rudy, Liesel's best friend, who also happens to be a boy.  He is constantly trying to get her to give him a kiss.  He also hates the arrogance of the Hitler Youth, and does all that he can to put them in their places.   The foster father, Hans and his quiet defiance against Nazi Regime.  The foster mother, Rosa, who sounds a lot like my sister, Cathy.  Very stern on the outside, but a big softie on the inside.  But the character I liked the best, was Death. 

The whole story is told from the point of view of Death, the one who comes to take your soul away when your breath leaves you.  Death narrates the story.  I liked how this author uses this unique view point.  Another point I like is the little side bars that would appear about every page or so.  Death would give us a glimpse into the rest of the life of this character, or that place.  It was fun to see what happened to these people outside of the story or when the story ends.  Very refreshing. 

After having said all that, I don't know if I should recommend this book or not.  I had another book reader say to me, "The writing is very original in my opinion, but I would not choose to read it again, nor recommend it because of the profanity.  I've read plenty of WW II stories without."   Ouch.  I didn't think the profanity was that bad.  Yikes.  SO, here's my disclaimer.  There is some profanity.  They have two particular pet names for themselves that are not very nice, but since they are written in German, it is hard to remember that you are reading a derogatory name.  Also, the boys in the neighborhood like to swear.  Is the book laced with it, on every page, and every conversation?  No.  Is there enough there that you notice it?  Yes.  You make your own decision about it.  I enjoyed it.  Call me a sinner.