Death: the compassionate narrator. Who would've thunk it? Marcus Zusak (the cute, creative Australian author to the left). His use of this unusual storyteller, whose tale is intertwined with the writings of the story's main character, is just one of the many, many things I love about this book (which will certainly be in the running as my fave of 09). I am not alone in my love of our post Atlas pick- almost the entire group was enthusiastic about this one. Katie can be forgiven for not having time to read at the moment, what with the pregnancy and the hot husband and all...
But I digress. I am sure our blog readership is not interested in the fact that much of the discussion at our annual Cinco gathering (yes, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo in January this year and it was well worth waiting to celebrate in Michelle's beautiful, newly remodeled living space, complete with multiple fireplaces and comfy new furniture!) was centered around answering the clever questions posed on Angie's awesome mojito cups (sample: what is the worst date you have ever been on?). I don't know about the rest of you, but after hearing the winning story, I feel like I have never really been on a bad date (sorry friend!).
Back to the book. Liesel Meminger is a memorable character- a young foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Death is all around her (figuratively and literally). Yet Liesel also manages to find love- in the books she steals and eventually learns how to read, and in the mayor's wife who enables her life of thievery; in her accordian playing foster father, the wonderful Hans Huberman; in Max Vandenburg, the young Jew hiding in her basement, and in (alas, alas too late!) her neighbor, the unforgettable Rudy (how about a kiss, Saumensch?).
We like the fact that the book focuses on a neighborhood full of "ordinary" Germans (some of whom end up being extraordinary), because much writing set in Nazi Germany is centered around soldiers and prisoners (and a few of these stories are told here, though often briefly and rather beautifully). Someone remembered that Suite Francaise (from our 2008 reading list) also contains stories about European citizens during this time period.
The author is a big fan of foreshadowing, and this technique definitely adds to the tension and makes some of the characters' deaths somewhat more bearable (though it did not prevent me from shedding buckets of tears toward the end of the story). The writing itself is simple but gripping and the novel's unique layout and intertwined story telling adds to its interest. I was so smitten with the characters and their stories that I read it in about two (longish) sittings. But though it is a relatively quick read, it is not one that will soon be forgotten.
