The Book Thief

The Book Thief is a beautifully written story by Markus Zusak. 

A story narrated by Death.

Reading it was like watching a painting being created: 26 letters of the alphabet put together like paint on a canvas, varying combinations forming words, words forming pictures, sentences creating scenes, all forming a work of art. 

Zusak definitely shows that art comes in many forms. 

This is a story of contradictions showing both the beauty and viciousness of what happens to a war-torn area during WWII. Zusak really brings the characters to life and even though Death keeps telling us (the readers) what is coming at the end, he doesn't reveal everything.  I finished the story with tears in my eyes and though it was heartbreaking, there was a glimmer of light at the end.

As for Death, he witnessed much during WWII. His work was unending - for those who didn't deserve his services at all and for those who were much more worthy of them.  By the end, he made his darkest revelation, "I am haunted by humans."  Who would have actually thought it was possible to feel a bit sorry for Death?

I read the Kindle version of The Book Thief and I wanted to thank Markus Zusak 

for the book extras at the end.  It was very interesting to read how his story came about, the hard work that went into the novel, the length of time he took to write it, and the insight into his writing process.  For me, it added another layer of appeal to the story line.