Movie Review: The Book Thief

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book, book review, books, Germany, historical fiction, Marcus Zusak, movies, review, reviews, The Book Thief, war, WWII

The Book Thief

genre: historical fiction

The movie stays quite true to the book, which I really appreciated. The cast was not entirely comprised of super models, something I found quite refreshing. Max and Rudy’s father were exactly how I pictured them though Max should have been more scruffy. The reading wall and snowball fight was incredibly well done–two of my favorite moments in the book. It gave a much needed comic relief to an otherwise depressing tale.

There was only one scene where the movie deviated drastically from the book. Liesel keeps Max’s secret through the entire book, but Rudy figures it out in the movie. I had such faith and respect for Liesel in the book that turned to disappointment in the movie. The rest of the changes were subtle and added some tension, especially for any who haven’t read it yet.

Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

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book, book review, books, Germany, historical fiction, Marcus Zusak, review, reviews, The Book Thief, war, WWII

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

genre: historical fiction

Summary from Goodreads

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.

So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel’s foster family hides a Jewish fist-fighter in their basement, Liesel’s world is both opened up, and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

__it’s better to be a lion

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berlin, books, characters, courage, Germany, graphic design, inspiration, life, quotes, stories, travel, writing

“It’s better to be a lion for a day, than a sheep all your life.” – Elizabeth Kenny

I found this quote while I was visiting Berlin with my partner (the 18th to the 21st of Feb). For those who have ever been to Berlin, you will understand what a graffiti city is all about. What surprised me about much of the graffiti was that much of it was art. In high school, one of my favourite subjects was art and often we discussed topics such as postmodern art: ‘What is art, really?’. Graffiti has always been one of those interesting topics in regards to art. I don’t think EVERYTHING is inherently skillful art, even if everything is ‘art’. Therefore in my opinion, there was a lot of nasty graffiti that only tarnished the beautiful landscape of Berlin. And trust me, there was a lot.

Do you see people or do you see workers?

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employees, Germany, Gilmore Girls, help, host family, maids, money, Single in Suburbia, Starbucks, study abroad, wealth, Wendy Wax

You enter your favorite book store, coffee shop, or restaurant and someone rings you up.  Are you talking on your cell phone?  Do you ask them how their day was?  Do you see a person standing before you or do you see a worker bee sent from the cosmos to wait on you?  Our tendency is to look down on those serving us, but one thing I picked up from my host family in Germany is that every job is important, therefore every person who performs a job is important.  Imagine if all of the janitorial staff vanished overnight.  Sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have.

Thankfully, society seems to agree with my host family.  People who disregard the help are seen as snobby rather than admired.  Take these examples from the TV show Gilmore Girls and novel Single in Suburbia…