Critical Analysis Of The Book Thief

In WWII Germany, Hitler reigned over his citizens as if they were living embodiments of garbage. In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Nazi Germany is seen through the eyes of Death, telling the story of a little girl named Liesel Meminger. With her life full of tragedy, Death encounters her and observes her actions often. This novel’s unique style stands out from the rest, constantly throwing flashbacks, flashforwards, and even direct spoilers at the reader. This forces the audience to be on edge for the characters, knowing their lives will not last long. One of the many themes found in The Book Thief is that anyone can die at any moment.

In a novel, an author uses a narrator to express their concepts of the world, depicting the tone and attitude of the story. Zusak expresses his aspects and views on dying in many different ways through the perspective of the narrator, Death. He even states himself that sometimes “I arrive too early, I rush, and some people cling on to life longer than expected” (Zusak 9). Death has much experience with humans, how they come and go, and how sometimes people die unexpectedly. In the case of Liesel 's brother, Werner, a seemingly health child passed in his sleep. Without explanation, he was buried and left behind. Kids don’t drop dead out of the blue, usually parents or even doctors can predict when their time would come if they are ill, however Werner showed no known signs of sickness. Thanks to the open opinions by Death, readers