Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Author: Markus Zusak

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Published: March 8, 2016 (first published September 1, 2005) 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Subgenres: World War II > Holocaust

Age Group: Young Adult

Representation: Jewish culture, German culture

Trigger Warnings: Anti-Semitism and Nazism, Holocaust, Depression, Death, Suicide, Murder, Violence, War, Profanity, Physical Abuse

Page Turning Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Page Turner!

👉🏽 Check out this book on Goodreads or buy the book on Amazon

I loved this book. Full stop.

I recently found out that I enjoy historical fiction, which has caused me to want to read more of them. I've had my eye on The Book Thief for quite some time now. I'm glad I finally read it. I've always had an interest in the Nazi Germany era and this was no disappointment.

Though the story takes time to develop, I feel it is worth the wait. This story made me feel a stir of emotions. I felt happiness, sadness, and I even laughed a few times. What book does that? This one. I agree that this is a haunting, impactful story that will stick with you. I feel that Mark Zusak crafted it in such a clever way, by choosing an unlikely narrator, Death. Death had a way of foreshadowing and hinting at which of the characters will die. Death didn't have the sinister tone we're used to. Instead, Death told the story as an observer, not as someone happily collecting souls. Though I am used to Death being a collector of souls, it was nice to see a twist as he became invested in Liesel's story.

I do not carry a sickle or a scythe.

I only wear a hooded black robe when it’s cold.

And I don’t have those skull-like

facial features you seem to enjoy

pinning on me from a distance. You

want to know what I truly look like?

I’ll help you out. Find yourself a mirror while I continue.

Then there's the rest of the characters... Can I just hug them? Can I? Death can get a hug too, at this point.

Liesel was such an enjoyable and relatable character. She is by no means perfect and very much does all the things a girl her age would do. She's so smart, brave, and sweet-- you can't help but fall in love with her. Liesel developed this deep love for books and the stories inside them, when she learned how to read. Her love for books was so valid. I think any avid reader could relate with Liesel and her love for books. She loved them so much, she started stealing them and became the book thief. I even thought to myself, why didn't I think of that when I was 10 years old. Instead I stole my grandfather's money and bought Barbie dolls... but we won't get into that story.

Now Max, oh Max... I just love him! He was such a sweet, caring, and wonderful guy. Did I mention he works out? Just thought you should know...

I especially loved the friendship that Liesel and Max developed. Though there was over a 10 year difference in age, it wasn't creepy or uncomfortable in any way. To me it felt like a big brother and his little sister, it really was wonderful to see.

Like the books that Max made for Liesel, with the cute illustrations... *insert heart eyes here* How about when he was teaching her how to do push-ups?! GAAHHHH! Or how about years later when they see each other again, and they hug each other and cry. Arrrgh, my heart just can't take it.

We also can't forget Rudy, who is the cutest boy ever. I also enjoyed the friendship they had, as well as the very little romance they had. The kiss and the way he felt for Liesel. I also loved that they would go together when Liesel would steal books.

Hans Hubermann! He is like the best literary dad ever! Periodt! I never fell in love with a dad in a story, however Hans stole my heart. The relationship he and Liesel share is so stinking adorable! Mind you, he is her foster dad and that is what makes it even more meaningful. I loved that though he wasn't a great reader, he still taught Liesel to read. He was the one that sparked the love for words that she has. The moments they had was everything. The things he would tell her was just GAAAHHHH!

Hans creates an illustration for Liesel. The illustration is of a stick-figure girl with a  huge smile and no eyes.

Liesel: Papa! I have no eyes!

Hans: With a smile like that, you don't need eyes.

See! Need I say more... it's just too much...

Overall, this book has such a powerful message. Not only how friends and family shape you, but how stories can help you get through the toughest time. Although I have never experienced such tragic or traumatic events, this book hit me deep in them feels. It is definitely a story I will cherish and reread again. This has become one of my favorite books ever, words can't express how much I will cherish this book. I would gladly recommend it to the world!

Well Gaston, you're in luck because this one does have pictures. 😉

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Book Review: Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

Author: V.C. Andrews

Publisher: Pocket Books

Published: November 1, 1990 (first published November 1979)  

Genre: Gothic Fiction

Subgenres: Family Saga, Drama

Age Group: Young Adult  17+

Representation: 

Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Abandonment, Demonizing of Religion, Electral Love (incest), Weird Family Dynamics, "Soft Rape"

Page Turning Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Page Turner!

👉🏽 Check out this book on Goodreads or buy the book on Amazon

This review may contain small spoilers.

I remember discovering this book back when I was in the 9th grade. The school librarian told me I would love V.C. Andrews because it was similar to my taste, but with more drama. Uhmm, thinking on it now... she really shouldn't have suggested them to me because they're actually categorized as adult fiction and were banned from schools and libraries when they first came out. Nonetheless, I'm glad she did. In her defense, why did my high school have V.C. Andrews books if we weren't allowed to read them? 🤔 I decided to pick it up as an adult to see if I would still have the same love for this author. Well, if you couldn't tell by the rating, I still do! Does that make it wrong? Well some people would say so because of the topics and content in this book. Am I weird for enjoying V.C. Andrews scandalous books so much? No, they're just so good and scandalous how can you not like them. Doesn't mean I agree with the things going on in the books, however it also doesn't take away from the fact that they are good.

Though it has been many years since I read this story, the characters still remain vivid and the story still captivated me. V.C. Andrews original stories is one of the reasons I love family drama and gothic fiction. This story evoked so many emotions in me.  With every turn of the page, I felt sadness, anger, happiness, and had many WTF moments. I felt everything these characters were going through. Maybe because when I first read this, I myself was dealing with similar traumas -minus the incest. It sparked some triggers for me in some parts that made me SO upset, I had to put the book down. However, I would always return rooting for the children and wanting to see what happens next.  I also was reading it through the lens of a mom (since I am a mother of two). Oh how that sparked a rage in me that all I could picture was me strangling their mother and grandmother, both maternal figures that really don't know what it is to have those "motherly qualities." I swear I'm not a violent person, however this story will get you to that point.

Now let's talk about the elephant in the room before everyone comes at me with their pitchforks. 😨 The subject, electral love - the incest aspect of it, can be a difficult topic to swallow. It does leave you feeling uncomfortable, yucky, saying WTF, scratching your head, maybe even questioning  if you want to continue... or even if you finished, questioning that. However, Andrews handles this piece of their story with care. As a teacher who studied psychology, it definitely tackles the psychology of why people do the things they do, very well.  As difficult as this topic may be, as a reader you should try to see the bigger picture the author is portraying with that piece. Focus on the drama of this family and why is it that it led to the incest happening. Think Stockholm Syndrome. 

Speaking of I could not stand their mother. I saw her shenanigans right from the start, which was definitely some things I totally missed when I read this as a teen. Don't get me wrong their mom wasn't always a villain, maybe she did have good intentions. She is a morbidly gray character that was consumed by greed, which ultimately led to her doing unforgivable things. I couldn't believe how money hungry this woman became. She couldn't do things on her own for her children because she was always dependent on a man to provide for her. I do understand we are living in different times from when this was written, but she was always driven by money and living a lavish lifestyle; hence why they were in debt to begin with. She knew the situation and the terms her mother had, yet she still agreed to them. In my opinion, their mother never really had any good intentions. I believe she was always fueled by greed right from the start. This greed only made her go further to the extremes, by any means necessary. As for the grandmother, she preaches about being Godly and to never do bad BUT she is the most horrible person. She's seeking vengeance through the children and abusing them as well. It's no wonder their mother wanted to escape that place and is the way she is. However, I don't sympathize with the mother at all. These two "mothers" are just pieces of work...

As for the children, I didn't realize how much of a parental role Cathy and Christopher had to take on. It's no wonder the whole incest thing sparked, they were playing the mother and father roles to their younger siblings. Not saying it was right, psychologically it makes sense. I was fascinated with seeing how they went from through all the different stages and how their differing personality strengths came into play. Each character came to terms with what was going on at different times, how they coped with these betrayals, and the hope that they still had was very convincing and leaves a mark in your heart. Unless you're a heartless person, then maybe it won't. With this re-read, I was so impressed with the creativity of the children, which is another thing I missed before. It was nice to see that they still did the things they love: Cathy still danced ballet, Christopher continued to read, and talking about their future plans. One of the main coping mechanisms they used that brought me joy and sadness, was the paper garden they made that changed when the seasons outside changed. The depth of their coping were very relevant to what Andrews was showing. This was a way for the children to stay connected to the real world which seemed more unreal the longer they were locked up.

There's so much in this book: betrayals, taboo, tragedy, and the type of twist that keeps you reading. Although the author's writing style has flaws, I focused on the overall story, the way it made me feel, and how well it was portrayed - which is why I had to give it 5 stars. I am excited to continue with the Dollanganger family, and will be reading the rest of the series. I don't remember where their journey leads them, but I am hoping it's a good one. However, I know that most likely not be the case...