Pretty much the entire blogosphere has already read this book as I’m extremely late to this party. And most of the reviews are overwhelmingly positive – like 5 star, best-book-in-the-world positive. So instead of focusing on the best aspects of the book, I’m choosing to go the opposite route and discussing the not-so-great bits that turned me off a great deal.
I want to preface this review with some clarifications. On Goodreads, I rated this a 3 star read which is fairly accurate. I liked it well enough to keep reading. An admission that probably stains this review, perhaps unfairly: I am not a fan of Holocaust fiction. I just believe that the true stories, the non-fiction has so much more to offer. A real-life experience about a person who lived and breathed is always so much more affecting. And, to be honest, there are so many true stories still left un-told that the fiction just seems misplaced and lazy.
Problem #1: Death as the narrator. I was really looking forward to this perspective and the experimentation with the narrative. I expected a freshness to the story, but instead got a major distraction/intrusion. I found myself really engrossed in the novel when I forgot Death was narrating, when the POV just seemed an anonymous third person. When Death would announce himself again and again, I was completely thrown out of the story. I also found his sarcasm jarring. While understanding the need for comic relief in such a bleak novel, sarcasm shouldn’t be that humor’s vehicle. Just bugged me personally.
Problem #2: The random bits of text that are boldfaced and centered to help bring our attention (or beat us over the head) with one of the author’s genius bits. Annoyed me to no end and yet again, took me out of the story every time I had to pause for one of these moments. Just nothing smooth about the transition between flowing prose and gimmicky pop-up text. Case-in-point – the last line is done in this manner. It was a beautiful thought, but ruined by the beating it gave me in all its bold glory. Zusak is telling, not showing.
Problem #3: I’ve read many reviews that cite Zusak’s poetic, gorgeous prose. So obviously I’m in an extreme minority here. I do think Zusak is trying to be poetic and that sometimes it works – that he actually creates something profound and moving. Other times (most other times) I find that he’s trying way too hard to sound poetic and comes off as rambling. Half the time his phrasing doesn’t even make sense. It reminds my of my own adolescent poetry where I would try so hard to sound genius. Sometimes I amazed myself at what I wrote, but most of the time I ended up giggling at my cheesy, heavy-handed efforts.
Problem #4: The manipulative ending. Read reviews long enough and you’ll learn how the ending had everyone sobbing and vowing that this book had changed their life. I call this huge emotional outburst and tragic ending manipulative. It’s there not to teach us something, but to make us think we’ve read something super amazing because it made us cry. I get angry at endings like this. They feel so HOLLYWOOD. I would have preferred far more subtlety which would have made much more sense with the story anyhow. For the record: No, I did not cry. I was too annoyed to cry.
Those problems aside, I will say this: I would highly recommend this to actual young adults. Books like this hold a lot of value and merit for teenage readers because they act as stepping stones to greater literature and the desire to learn more about our world. Obviously, this book destroys Twilight and the like as being a worthwhile read. I also think all of my problems above will be things that teenagers really enjoy – the gimmicks and whatnot. Shakes their reading experience up a bit and doesn’t bog them down in boring prose, but still offers up a serious story.
As for everyone else, also worth a read if for no other reason than to form your own opinion. The story is sweet, moving, subtle and has a lot to offer its audiences of all ages. Many characters you’ll find endearing and lovable. I’m just not as enthralled as others and wanted to be a voice for those who also didn’t feel like this novel had changed their lives. So definitely give it to the teenagers in your life and when you have a little down time, pick it up for yourself.
The Blog of Litwits 
I probably won’t be reading this one, mostly because I’ve read far too many Holocaust books and find them depressing. It’s an important period of time to learn about, but I like reading happier books.
I only read them sparingly. After reading this and watching a very bleak and horrific BBC documentary recently, I have had my full for a while. I guess we just need to remind ourselves from time to time.
Sorry this one didn’t jive so well for ya! I’m hit and miss with Holocaust fiction in general, just because I’ve read so much of it. This one was a breath of fresh air because of some of the unique storytelling devices. I can understand your perspective of liking the non-fiction accounts better. I typically agree. 🙂
Yeah – I know in solidly in the ‘unpopular opinion category’. And honestly, I think I spent too much time thinking about the amazing, but brutal BBC documentary of death and concentration camps I recently watched. The reality just takes me farther emotionally. Need some happiness in my reading now!
I loved this one but I agree with you on problem 1. Just when I got caught up in the story, death would appear and his perspective was a bit random. I liked this book in the way I like sweets – I couldn’t stop reading it, even though I knew it wasn’t the best thing to read in the world. But sometimes everyone needs a book like that.
Despite all my nitpicks above, I also couldn’t stop reading this and flew through it enjoyably. A highly readable book – flaw and all.
I fell in love with this book but I can see where you are coming from with your criticism. I let myself get swept away and the whole Death thing worked for me … as well as the poetic aspects. I guess I’m a young adult at heart.
I really wanted to love this book and I have young adult tendencies as well – heck, I’m not even that far removed from that age being 28. I’ll give it a reread in a few years and see if anything changes for me.
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I just discovered your blog and I’m really enjoying making my way through your reviews! Rather than reading The Book Thief, I listened to the audio book and fell in love with the story that way. I didn’t realize how oddly it was formatted until I purchased a paper copy. That said, I thought that the audio book flawlessly integrated the narrator with the rest of the story because he was, literally, narrating the whole story. The voice of “Death” was speaking throughout, so I didn’t have to deal with the random sections of bold text taking me out of the story. If you’re a fan of audio books (I know some people can’t stand them!) I would highly recommend giving the book another shot in that format. It’s a completely different experience and very well done!
I might have to try the audio one day. I didn’t hate the book, just didn’t feel like I was the best audience. My book club didn’t really connect with it either. Maybe I’m just crazy. I’m glad so many people love it and it’s heaps better than most ‘YA’ out there.