*The Book Thief
Registered by woosang of Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on 9/10/2005
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
11 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by woosang from Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, September 10, 2005
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger and her younger brother are being taken by their mother to live with a foster family outside Munich. Liesel's father was taken away on the breath of a single, unfamiliar word - Kommunist - and Liesel sees the fear of a similar fate in her mother's eyes. On the journey, Death visits the young boy, and notices Liesel. It will be the first of many near encounters. 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 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 accordion- 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.
The Book Thief is a story about the power of words to make worlds. 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.
Journal Entry 2 by woosang from Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, November 24, 2005
A bookring
By request
Catsalive (NSW)
Hunnyb (NSW)
celestewa (WA)
Puppymummy (Vic)
lmn60 (Vic)
magicjessnrach (SA)
Melanie2474 (ACT)
lakelady2282 (NSW) Book Here
Pixette (NSW)
Miss-Owl (NSW)
aleonblue (QLD)
leeny37(Vic)
Back to Woosang (NSW)
Journal Entry 3 by woosang at Controlled release in Sutherland, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, November 24, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (11/25/2005 UTC) at Controlled release in Sutherland, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
In the internal mail system, which some prayer. Happy travels book! I look forward to your return.
In the internal mail system, which some prayer. Happy travels book! I look forward to your return.
Journal Entry 4 by 
catsalive
from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, November 29, 2005
catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Picked up from the station this afternoon. No probs Y, although it might have been handy to put my name somewhere as they asked for id to collect it. This is an enormous book of almost 600 pages & looks quite daunting, but I will get to it as soon as I can. I hate being first on a bookring, but the reviews I've read sound good so I'm looking forward to it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book although the subject matter was a bit hard on the heart. I found the writing style quite unusual but the content was compelling reading. It is set in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death, who, after all, does get to meet everybody. The prose is simple, quite stark at times, and very easy on the eyes.
I actually finished this last Thursday but was a bit slow getting it to the PO, so it's off to hunnyb today, 3/1/6.
I actually finished this last Thursday but was a bit slow getting it to the PO, so it's off to hunnyb today, 3/1/6.
Journal Entry 6 by catsalive at Aussie Post in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, January 2, 2006
catsalive at Aussie Post in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, January 2, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (1/2/2006 UTC) at Aussie Post in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Sent to hunnyb.
Sent to hunnyb.
Received this whopper of a book today - thank you! I really enjoyed Zusak's other books which were more young adult in nature so am looking forward to getting into his more "mature" work.
Wow, this was utterly amazing. Laugh out loud funny and heart-wrenchingly tragic by turns, it is truly a testament to the power of words - both for good and bad. It made me cry! The characters were just so wonderfully crafted, and the narration really spot on.
Sending onto celestewa now. Thank you so much for sharing this, woosang!!
Sending onto celestewa now. Thank you so much for sharing this, woosang!!
Journal Entry 9 by celestewa from Perth City, Western Australia Australia on Monday, January 16, 2006
Received today. Will get to it as soon as I can.
Journal Entry 10 by celestewa from Perth City, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, May 25, 2006
I tried really hard to get into this book and hit a wall about half way through. I am not sure why I cant get into it. I will now pass this on, as it is stopping me reading anything, which is a shame.
Have posted this off.
Have posted this off.
I have been really looking forward to this one for ages - of course, it arrives when my TBR pile is in crisis mode. Do you think work would mind if I took some time off to read?
OK, so I'm going to stop posting on the forums and read instead. Really, I will.....
OK, so I'm going to stop posting on the forums and read instead. Really, I will.....
This one got passed on to me last night at our Christmas meetup. Puppymummy has acquired another copy of this, so happily handed it over to me..... and I happily received it!
I'm looking forward to this one, but to be honest, suspect I won't get to it until the 'silly season' is over. Luckily, I'm taking some time off in January and will hopefully have some READING time!
I'm looking forward to this one, but to be honest, suspect I won't get to it until the 'silly season' is over. Luckily, I'm taking some time off in January and will hopefully have some READING time!
Finished this one this morning - or actually early this afternoon - lying on my bed still in my pjs! I LOVE annual leave!!!
At first I was really frustrated by Zusak's use of Death as a narrator and the device of revealing important plot points before the events occurred in the narrative. As a reader I was annoyed that I knew certain characters were going to die or have other events happen, before the events actually took place. It seemed to dissipate the sense of mystery and narrative drive.
However, as the events of the book became more harrowing, and I became more engaged by the characters themselves, I was almost grateful for this device - as it helped 'distance' me from the more distressing aspects of Zusak's story.
Although I found the book generally well written and emotionally engaging, I do think, however (wouldn't be me without some nitpick!) that the narrative tended to be dragged out on occasions, and found myself occasionally wishing that Zusek had a more assertive editor demanding that he keep the gems and discard the dross! Still, the emotional power of the 'gem' moments in this book more than make up for the occasional tedium of other passages.
Thanks for sharing this one, woosang. I have already PMed magicjessnrach and will send it on as soon as I have their address.
At first I was really frustrated by Zusak's use of Death as a narrator and the device of revealing important plot points before the events occurred in the narrative. As a reader I was annoyed that I knew certain characters were going to die or have other events happen, before the events actually took place. It seemed to dissipate the sense of mystery and narrative drive.
However, as the events of the book became more harrowing, and I became more engaged by the characters themselves, I was almost grateful for this device - as it helped 'distance' me from the more distressing aspects of Zusak's story.
Although I found the book generally well written and emotionally engaging, I do think, however (wouldn't be me without some nitpick!) that the narrative tended to be dragged out on occasions, and found myself occasionally wishing that Zusek had a more assertive editor demanding that he keep the gems and discard the dross! Still, the emotional power of the 'gem' moments in this book more than make up for the occasional tedium of other passages.
Thanks for sharing this one, woosang. I have already PMed magicjessnrach and will send it on as soon as I have their address.
Journal Entry 14 by Melanie2474 from Narrabundah, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Saturday, January 13, 2007
Another one for the Bookring pile.
Journal Entry 15 by Melanie2474 from Narrabundah, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Friday, August 17, 2007
I started this on Monday and thought I''d make an entry to let the previous people know, and just realised it''s a bookring!! Don''t know how it got put aside/forgotten and I apologise profusely... this is what happens when I tidy up I guess.
As I''ve had this for several months I will endeavour to get through it as quickly as the size of the book and my heavy uni and work schedules allow. Will contact the next in line when I get close to the end so I don''t give them false hope :)
I''m enjoying the book so far so hopefully that will help me press on and get through the book by the end of the month.
Again, apologies to those after me (and before me) on the ring and I''ll get this out the door as soon as I can.
As I''ve had this for several months I will endeavour to get through it as quickly as the size of the book and my heavy uni and work schedules allow. Will contact the next in line when I get close to the end so I don''t give them false hope :)
I''m enjoying the book so far so hopefully that will help me press on and get through the book by the end of the month.
Again, apologies to those after me (and before me) on the ring and I''ll get this out the door as soon as I can.
Journal Entry 16 by Melanie2474 from Narrabundah, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Well after it took me so long to realise this was a bookring (sorry... again...) it didn't take me long to get through this - which is a change, considering the size of it!
At times frustrating, often depressing, but overall interesting.
At times frustrating, often depressing, but overall interesting.
Journal Entry 17 by Melanie2474 at Bookcrosser in book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Friday, August 24, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (8/26/2007 UTC) at Bookcrosser in book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to lakelady2282 - so sorry to all for the delay!
On its way to lakelady2282 - so sorry to all for the delay!
Journal Entry 18 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, August 29, 2007
The book arrived today thanks so much Melanie and Woosang. Didn't realise it was sooooo BIG! Will try and be as quick as I can.
Journal Entry 19 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Just popping in to say I may take a bit longer with this book than I had planned as I have hurt my back and don't want to take it to work with me (twenty minutes walk) so will only be able to read it at home. I hope that's okay.
Journal Entry 20 by woosang from Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, September 25, 2007
I am sure no one minds. IF they ask me I will let them know.
Melbourne anyone???
Melbourne anyone???
Journal Entry 21 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Monday, October 15, 2007
Like other readers, I really did find death as narrator too strident and strangely immature but that did seem to be only in the first part of the novel. I think Zusak gradually mastered the instrusive narrator and at the end of the novel, I felt it really did work well as a literary device.
Thanks Woosang for organising the ring and thank you Melanie for posting it to me. I'm so glad I read the book because it introduced me to another side of the war. I'm definitely looking forward to his next book. Will p.m. Pixette.
Thanks Woosang for organising the ring and thank you Melanie for posting it to me. I'm so glad I read the book because it introduced me to another side of the war. I'm definitely looking forward to his next book. Will p.m. Pixette.
Journal Entry 22 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, October 20, 2007
Pixette has asked to be skipped as has a copy of The Book Thief. Will pm Miss-Owl.
Released 16 yrs ago (10/24/2007 UTC) at
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Thank you for sharing, woosang, & for sending on, lakelady2282. Apologies this took a while to pick up from my PO box... I've been buried under a pile of HSC papers.
As such, it'll probably take a while before I'm able to finish this rather hefty tome - although it does come with glowing recommendations & 1.5 spacing, so there's hope!
As such, it'll probably take a while before I'm able to finish this rather hefty tome - although it does come with glowing recommendations & 1.5 spacing, so there's hope!
What an unutterably moving story. I was reading this as a bedtime book over several nights, but decided to leave the last part until the morning, because I didn't think I'd be able to face it before bed.
Like other reviewers here, I found the narratorial voice rather intrusive and overbearing at times - I'm not convinced Death's character was sufficiently grounded to sustain it - but I *loved* Max's voice, and Liesel's, when I eventually heard hers, and wished that they could have told more of the story. I first encountered Zusak through his comical morality tale "The Messenger", and I think I still think of his voice as essentially more comic than tragic.
That being said, however, it takes a lot from a book to make me cry these days, and a it's a testament to Zusak's fine storytelling skills that Liesel, and Hans, and Rudy, really came alive to me with all their courage, their defiance, their laughter and their failings.
This memorable read is ready for its next bookcrosser & will be sent on when I receive the address.
Like other reviewers here, I found the narratorial voice rather intrusive and overbearing at times - I'm not convinced Death's character was sufficiently grounded to sustain it - but I *loved* Max's voice, and Liesel's, when I eventually heard hers, and wished that they could have told more of the story. I first encountered Zusak through his comical morality tale "The Messenger", and I think I still think of his voice as essentially more comic than tragic.
That being said, however, it takes a lot from a book to make me cry these days, and a it's a testament to Zusak's fine storytelling skills that Liesel, and Hans, and Rudy, really came alive to me with all their courage, their defiance, their laughter and their failings.
This memorable read is ready for its next bookcrosser & will be sent on when I receive the address.
This little (or rather BIG) book landed in my mailbox late last week - thanks Miss-Owl
Journal Entry 27 by aleonblue at Fellow BookCrosser in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia on Friday, February 1, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (2/2/2008 UTC) at Fellow BookCrosser in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Loved this book - thanks to all for sharing it. It's on its way to the next reader...
Loved this book - thanks to all for sharing it. It's on its way to the next reader...
Today's been a great day! Many goodies have arrived today -- a couple of books from BookMooch and the postman just came knocking on the front door with a full satchel from aleonblue that had this book in it along with a whole heap of extras. Thank you so much for the RABCKs!
Wow. I don't think I've read a book quite like this one before. I didn't mind Death narrating the story, although I did find the constant interruptions rather annoying at times. I felt they disrupted the flow of the story and although they did contain useful information, they were more irritating than anything else, especially so at the beginning at the book. Nevertheless, these were minor things and did not take away from the brilliance of this novel. While the writing may be simple and plain, it paints incredibly vivid images. I loved the characters and I felt that the emotions they experienced during such a tumultuous time -- joy; anger; pain; love; and suffering -- really came through in Zusak's tale. Although the ending brought me to tears, ultimately I believe this story is about hope and courage despite such horrific and tragic circumstances. I hope this message stays with all readers for a very long time.
Thanks woosang for sharing this, let me know if it's ready to head home to you or I should send this on to someone else.
Thanks woosang for sharing this, let me know if it's ready to head home to you or I should send this on to someone else.
Journal Entry 30 by leeny37 at Australia Post in -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCKs etc, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (3/12/2008 UTC) at Australia Post in -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCKs etc, Australian Capital Territory Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This is heading home to woosang via a prepaid Express Post satchel, tracking #: SV9134901. Once again, thanks for sharing this!
This is heading home to woosang via a prepaid Express Post satchel, tracking #: SV9134901. Once again, thanks for sharing this!
