The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Welcome to Germany! It's 1939 and your host for the next 6 years will be Death. The story will star Liesle and be variously populated by Max, Rudy, Hans & Rosa. Oh, and the Fuhrer.

Remember earlier when I said that I was "kind of bored of Books About The War". Well this book, as you might've guess from the DATES and the reference to the FUHRER, is a Book About The War. Alas.

I enjoyed the Book About The War, but it wasn't in anyway incredible - it didn't help me think about the war in a different way; it didn't teach me anything new. It took up some of the questions I always ask about The War, like: What regular, non-Jewish, non-disabled, non-gypsy, non-socialist Germans did and didn't know, and did and didn't do with that knowledge, and it was undoubtedly interesting to have a chance to watch characters attempting to answer these questions.

The narrative was touching, and the book stealing metaphor was lovely. The subject matter was dealt with tenderly and the earthly characters were endearing. Liesel, Randy, Max, Rosa and Hans and their supporting cast were so wonderful, so engaging, in fact, that I found Death a bit of a let down: Death as a character who comes and collects souls as they fall and remembers things in colours is a novel concept, but personifying an experience didn't work for me, really. Luckily, the narrator only imposes his character on the story a handful of times, and for the most part dutifully plays the role of omnipotent messenger.

This was a perfectly good book, and I am judging it harshly - but if you're going to be A Book About The War, I am going to expect Big Things. Nice try, Mr Zusak, but no biscuit for you, I'm afraid. Thanks, none the less, to Vicki & Ric for this, and the collection of other stolen items - watch out I don't take the breaking into your library and eating your snacks...