The Book Thief- Update

Since my last post, I have read some more in The Book Thief.  It is a really good book so far.  I am a little under halfway done with the book, and can't wait to read the rest.  Liesel has just gone to pick up the washings from the mayor's house, where he lives with his wife.  In a previous chapter, Liesel stole a book from a burning of all the books.  The mayor's wife saw what she was doing, but didn't say anything.  Then, one day when Liesel was picking up the washing alone, she was invited inside.  There, she looked at a huge room with lots of book cases filled with books.  The mayor's wife wasn't going to say anything to anyone about her stealing the book, which is a relief.  I can't wait to read more about Liesel's future visits to the mayor's house and to see if she lets her keep any of the books.

The Book Thief- Historical References

This book is set in Nazi Germany, in the late 1930s and early 1940s. For anyone who knows little about this time period, it was around the time of World War 2.  Knowing that this book takes place in Germany, there are many things you can conclude about life there.  For example, people were in severe economic distress and were often going hungry because of post-war issues.  Hitler in this time was gaining power because it gave the people hope, yet no one knew of the awful things to come.  

There are many different historical references in the book that I have come across in my reading so far.  On page 103, the book talks about how if you didn't show your flag to show that you were in favor of the Nazi Party, they would take you away.  "Earlier, there had been a minor calamity.  The Hubermanns could't fund their flag.  'They'll come for us,' Mama warned her husband.  'They'll come an take us away' They.  'We have to find it'" (Zusak 103)! This quote shows how worried Mama is over not being able to find their flag to show on Hitler's birthday.  Even though the family doesn't support him, they have to act like it because they fear their life.  

Another historical reference is on page 105 when it talks about Mein Kampf.  "With her three books standing upright on the table, as if in conversation, Liesel was silently mouthing the words as she read from one of them.  'And what trash is this girl reading?  She should be reading Mein Kampf'" (Zusak 105).  Mein Kampf is a book that Hitler wrote while in custody by the government, accused of treason.  The translation of this title is "My Struggle."  Here is a picture of the book that Hitler wrote.  

The Book Thief Storyline So Far and Prediction

I am still currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  Im on page 74, so still not that far into it.  However, I am starting to see the plot line and understand it better.  In my first post about the book, I was really confused as to what was going on.  Now, I understand that Liesel found a book the day that her family died and she was wanting to learn to read it.  The dad that took her in is teaching her how to read, even though he can't read well himself. The part of the story that I am at now, is when the narrator is explaining what Liesel is doing and the struggles that she is facing at school, home, etc.  The story is written in first person. Even though Liesel is the main character, she is not the one narrating.  That is what really confused me because the narrator doesn't (or hasn't yet) actually interacted with anyone yet, so I don't know why that is.  I have been told that the narrator is Death by other people who have read the book, which I think that it is an interesting and unconventional twist to the story.  

I predict that in the next few chapters, Liesel will learn to read better, and will want to start reading other books.  This is what will lead her to steal more books, giving her the name of "The Book Thief."