Liz CA Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I really want to read this book because it is widely recommended...however I am rather saturated with Nazi/Holocaust issues because of past studies I have done. Does this book contain scenes of horrific violence and degradation? If it is a story told and includes the necessary hardships of WWII, I am okay with it. I am just not sure that I want to read about r*pe, detailed horrific murders and torture. Can someone tell me a little without being too specific? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Normally, I don't like books that I think will be horribly depressing, extremely violent, etc.... However, I read The Book Thief last year & it was one of the best books I read in 2009. There is not horrific violence/graphic detail in it like you describe. For sure, I was sobbing in parts. But, it's a terrific story, wonderfully told. I think it's worth your time & heart to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Yes, the book contains more of the hardship angle than detailed horror scenes. You really shouldn't miss this book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runamuk Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Yes, the book contains more of the hardship angle than detailed horror scenes. You really shouldn't miss this book. :iagree: It's a very good book, well worth the time to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 It is a great read. Last year I read: The Reader, The Zookeeper's Wife, Night, and the The Book Thief (those are the WWII books - I read many others). The Book Thief was my favorite of these followed very closely by the Zookeeper's Wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful book. Beautiful language, beautiful imagery, even amidst hardship. I paid a rather unreasonable amount for the only available hard copy I could find of one Zuzak's earlier books. No regrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Normally, I don't like books that I think will be horribly depressing, extremely violent, etc.... However, I read The Book Thief last year & it was one of the best books I read in 2009. There is not horrific violence/graphic detail in it like you describe. For sure, I was sobbing in parts. But, it's a terrific story, wonderfully told. I think it's worth your time & heart to read. :iagree: I thoroughly enjoyed reading it on my Kindle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen+4dc Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Normally, I don't like books that I think will be horribly depressing, extremely violent, etc.... However, I read The Book Thief last year & it was one of the best books I read in 2009. There is not horrific violence/graphic detail in it like you describe. For sure, I was sobbing in parts. But, it's a terrific story, wonderfully told. I think it's worth your time & heart to read. :iagree::iagree: It's one of those books I couldn't stop thinking about for a long time. "Haunting" but not in a bad way. There was a lot of swearing, but it was all in German so I knew they were swearing but had no idea what they were saying. There were some tough scenes, but nothing over the top and nothing terribly graphic. I highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful book. Beautiful language, beautiful imagery, even amidst hardship. I paid a rather unreasonable amount for the only available hard copy I could find of one Zuzak's earlier books. No regrets. We have all of his bks, and even the Audible versions of most as well (Bk Thief Audible is amazing) All of them are wonderful, wonderful, just wonderful. I can't wait till Zuzak puts pen to paper again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I just finished it. The closest it comes to horrific is when a Jew is beaten with a whip. And Death talks about how he felt when he was scooping up souls from the crematoriums, but it's not an in-depth description of the Jews who were being gassed. There is a LOT of swearing in it. The mom is constantly swearing at her adopted daughter, her husband, etc. It took me a while to realize that she was using the words in an affectionate manner, even if the actual words she was calling them were awful words. There are parts in German as well, but he does a good job translating it each time instead of leaving you guessing (I speak German so I knew exactly what they were saying.) It really was unlike any other book I've read before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful book. Beautiful language, beautiful imagery, even amidst hardship. I agree. Its heart piercing. The story is told by Death. So, yes, it is hard, but it is not terribly graphic - more psychological. Its sensitive, but from a completely different perspective. That's what makes this story so beautiful, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I agree. Its heart piercing. The story is told by Death. So, yes, it is hard, but it is not terribly graphic - more psychological. Its sensitive, but from a completely different perspective. That's what makes this story so beautiful, I think. :iagree: This is a MUST read book. It's unlike anything I've ever read. I don't think you'll be sorry. It's so poignant, raw, and moving. I finished it weeks ago, and I still think about it daily. It's that profound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runamuk Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 We have all of his bks, and even the Audible versions of most as well (Bk Thief Audible is amazing) All of them are wonderful, wonderful, just wonderful. I can't wait till Zuzak puts pen to paper again! I just finished another book he wrote called The Messenger. Not as dramatic, I didn't think, as The Book Thief, but I found myself reading late into the night. Possible spoiler: I didn't think the ending fit with the rest of the book, however. I think a different ending could have tied it all together better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thea Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Yes, the book contains more of the hardship angle than detailed horror scenes. You really shouldn't miss this book. WSS. This is one of my favorite books--ever. A truly wonderful book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) The Book Thief is not Wiesel's Night, or Schindler's List or anything like it. It would think it emotionally manageable. It's a YA novel. Imo, it's 'easier' that The Devil's Arithmetic. Although TBT writing depth is greater, imo. Edited January 22, 2010 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thea Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I just finished another book he wrote called The Messenger. Not as dramatic, I didn't think, as The Book Thief, but I found myself reading late into the night. Possible spoiler: I didn't think the ending fit with the rest of the book, however. I think a different ending could have tied it all together better. I agree with you. The ending was a bit of a let down--still a good book, but I thought the Book Thief was better. Like poetry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I just finished another book he wrote called The Messenger. Not as dramatic, I didn't think, as The Book Thief, but I found myself reading late into the night. Possible spoiler: I didn't think the ending fit with the rest of the book, however. I think a different ending could have tied it all together better. My dd will be pleased that she is not alone in her assessment of the end. However, the opening scene of I am the Messenger is brilliant...in a sort of a demented fashion. In spite of the end, I enjoyed this book as much as The Book Thief but in a different way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I just finished another book he wrote called The Messenger. Not as dramatic, I didn't think, as The Book Thief, but I found myself reading late into the night. Possible spoiler: I didn't think the ending fit with the rest of the book, however. I think a different ending could have tied it all together better. Funny, we liked the ending... To each his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 You simply should read the book. I agree what everyone has said. it's a very moving book. I listened to it on my ipod. It is fantastic in audio! I even have DH listening to it when he runs. He says that the book grabs you and pulls you into the story, and he never says that about a book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.