The Alchemist MJ

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (published in 2005): A summary

Narrated by Death, the Book Thief is a historical novel of nine-year-old Liesel Meminger who lives in a small town in Germany. The story is set in Nazi Germany.

The book begins with Liesel losing her six-year-old brother on a train while traveling to her foster family. His death, which continues to haunt Liesel throughout her life is the start of her book thievery. Liesel’s first stolen book was The Grave Digger’s Handbook, stolen from her brother’s burial. During this time, she is unable to read or write.

The book thief/ Liesel’s story takes place mainly with her new foster parents (Hans and Rosa Hubermann). Hans teaches Liesel reading and writing. Liesel continues to steal books throughout the novel.

Liesel’ s List of Stolen Books:

1. The Grave Digger’s Handbook:
2. The Shoulder Shrug: A banned book, rescued from Nazi book-burning event.
3. The Whistler:
4. The Dream Carrier
5. A Song in the Dark
6. The Complete Duden Dictionary and Thesaurus

Books She Received

1. The Standover Man: Birthday gift written by Max about their friendship.
2. The Word Shaker: Max’s second book about strength and danger of words.
3. The Mud Men: Her foster parent’s gift fr Liesel’s 12th birthday.
4. Faust the Dog and The Lighthouse: Hans and Rosa gifted these for Christmas, paid for with cigarettes.

Max, a Jew, is introduced in the novel at around page 28. He is saved by Hans and continues to hide in their basement for almost 2 years. Max and Liesel’s bond strengthens throughout this two-year period. Liesel views him as a brother figure and they connect through their love for words, shared trauma and nightmares.

Rudy Steiner, Liesel’s best friend and neighbor, gave her the title of “The Book Thief”.

Throughout the book, the narrator, Death, takes the reader into a unique journey and perspective, allowing one to truly feel and imagine the horrific events, both in Liesel’s personal life with loss and other events from Death’s perspective.

“It kills me sometimes, how people die.” – Death.