Lessons Learnt: The Book Thief

I stumbled upon The Book Thief while combing through new arrivals at the library of a school, where I worked as an educator. Unfortunately though, I did not have the time to pursue the book and had to return it without reading a page. It was the first edition of the book and it was in 2009. After many years and many jobs later, when I turned a writer – of a different sort of course, I chanced upon The Book Thief again and decided to give all my extra time and undivided attention to the book. Having a deep set curiosity about the Holocaust and Holocaust literature in particular, I kept on reading the pages till one fine day, there were no more pages left for me to explore. I have been meaning to write a review ever since that day but I think with so many reviews of the wonderful book, I will crumble and not do justice! Instead, I thought of this post series where I will write about the lessons learnt from the brilliant work by Marcus Zusak. Let it begin 🙂

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• You will find the most unusual narrator for your books. Death is the narrator for The Book Thief. And he does a wonderful job of it. No, not death. Marcus Zusak!
• You will never feel like wasting food at the table. Never. Or at least think of the situations in a WWII era with limited rations.
• You will find a Rudy Steiner and a Liesel Meminger in your friends. Maybe a Max as well.
• Reading will look more appealing to you and so will be writing.
• Maybe, you will know how to prioritize things in your life. You will understand why “the most important things in life aren’t things” in the true sense.
• You will be thankful for having so many privileges. You really will.
• You will get a new perspective about Death.
• You will have a bunch of quotes to guide you in your life.
• Saukerl and Saumensch. You will learn how to swear in German. Like a PRO!

Read the book guys and girls. It is lengthy but it is speedy. It is a tearjerker….saying for those of you who need tissues with some books. But it also has its share of laughter and bittersweet joys!