Samantha's Blog

After finishing this book, this reminds me of Omurice. At first, it seemed pretty boring and unappealing because of it just talking about her life and blah blah blah…. But later on after reading more and paying close attention to the story, OUT GOES THE JUICY DETAILS!!! It was like a punch to the face saying “HEYYY, IM MACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD ONCE U CUT OPEN THE EXTERIOR!!!!” It was if there were so many perspectives(ingredients) that all blend into one good story. I do kind of wish that it could be better, like for example: Rudy, Rosa, and Hans shouldn’t have died so that Liesel could still have a family and the lover of her life. Overall, it was a pretty good book and I recommend you to read it.

I think the relationship between Hans and Liesel is strong. They are always hanging out together, as if no one can tear them apart. Hans is very dedicated to helping her in any way he can and will come through and hide anything that is wrong from Rosa-his wife. Liesel will always try her best to please her papa in any way she can and will help him in a way possible. When he left for LSE because he helped a Jew, it was written as if their worlds tore apart. Liesel was very heartbroken because she wants him to be alive and play for her on the accordion more. It’s very unrealistic, but to me it seems as if their strong bond kept him moving forward and made it home alive.

Before Christmas, Rosa, Liesels foster mom, gave her a book saying it was from Max. Max had already left and disappeared into oblivion so she was so excited and happy to read the book he made her. It had many words and many illustrations. My opinion on the illustrations of her new book, “The Word Shaker”, is that it seems to be more heartfelt and realistic. I feel like the drawings weren’t made by a professional person which helps have a different meaning to it. It makes me think of how hard Max tried even though he couldn’t really draw. It has more sentiment because Liesel used to watch him draw or see his paintings in the basement before he left.

On a seeemingly quiet night, there was an air raid siren that filled the air throughout Himmel street. Many families went into a neighbors basement hoping that there would be no bombs. Liesel brought a book with her and she started to read it. Everyone was stressing out until they heard her reading the book. They quieted down and payed attention to her. She reminds me of my mom because whenever something bad happens, my mom will always find a way to calm me down or make me forget about what is going on. She is doing something that no one would ever have thought of doing.

There is a part in the Book Thief where Max falls gravely ill and he nearly dies. Liesel visited him almost everyday and did things hoping that he would wake up. This part reminds me of when my little cousin was gravely ill and she went to the hospital. She was just a baby and yet she was almost about to die. We went to the the hospital to visit her and say some words and pray so that she gets better.she was so pale and it seemed as if the monitor was just going to turn into a flat line. I always thought that when she wakes up, she will be given a miracle. Turns out like three days after, she woke up and got better.

One of the characters I admire is Rudy Steiner. No matter what happens, he doesn’t back down. He is pretty stupid and stubborn but that is what makes him unique. He doesn’t care what others think of him, as long as he has Liesel. He is always headstrong and never gives up without a fight. I have a premonition though; that he is going to die later in the book sadly. “Death”, the narrator, keeps saying how he will never feel anything again and that he will be gone soon. If my premonition is right, I am really going to not like this book and be very disappointed in it. I hope all goes well for Rudy and may his wish come true.

Ilsa, the mayor’s wife that lets Liesel reads her books is still in denial. Her son died and she still thinks about it and feels sorry even though it wasn’t her fault. I think she was letting Liesel use her books because of what happened to her son. This situation reminds me of a similar situation in my own life. It happened when my mom went to the hospital to to something going on with her kidneys. When I found out, I started panicking and denying that she was in the hospital. I was think about all the negative things that could happen and I made myself go mad. I was at the point where I didn’t want to admit that she was there and that I blamed it on God even though it wasn’t His fault.

Max has seemed to gone through a rough time in his life. He is a Jew so basically it seems to me like he is on the run. Hans to me seems like a guardian angel to Max because he saved him from the slums so to speak. I hope Max has a better life starting now but one of the only things that worry me is that the Germans might find him and ruin him and the family. I hope this book does not transform into a tragedy because I would not like to read that and I would hate it from then on.

Hans is Liesels foster father. He seems to be a pretty important character. I love his attitude and his easiness with Liesel. It reminds me of when me and my dad would talk to each other without a care in the world. I feel as if I could talk to Hans with ease if he was real because he has an easygoing feel to him.  In part two, it seemed as if he wasn’t really fond of Hitler. His son was in the Nazi Party and he downsized Hans, and he seemed pretty serious because he hasn’t tried to get in again. That gives me a hint that he doesn’t necessarily like Hitler’s ways. Hans has to hide his dislike of Hitler because of the Germans and Anti-Semitics in his town. I hope nothing bad happens to him.

Dear Markus Zusak,

I want to ask you a couple questions. How were you able to come up with such a story? Do these events or hardships relate to you in some way? I am not going to lie, the story is kind of out of the place but so far it is pretty interesting. I noticed that the narrator of the story is like death/the grim reaper, why is that? Why did you also put a couple of German words in the story but with no translation? I don’t really mind but wouldn’t the rest of the readers also be confused? So far, I am pleased with your story, and I hope to keep being interested in it until the very end.