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I have just finished this book - it's brilliant! Well written, unusual, harrowing, sad, and in parts funny.... Everyone should read it!! What did you think? It sits now on my shelf of the best books I've ever read with The Secret History, Shantaram and The Kite Runner.
Showofhands, my dp hated it for the same reasons as you, but I am about a third of the way through and am LOVING IT! (Although nervous that it is about to get incredibly sad and one of those books that haunts me for ages afterwards....). I really liked the Kite Runner too, but it left me feeling a bit depressed!! Have you read A Thousand Splendid Suns, katiekittlemouse?
I've read thousand splended suns and kite runner too. To be honest I started of loving both stories and then they suddenly seemed a bit soapy - especially suns.
What's Secret History? Never heard of that one either.
I started this on holiday and struggled at first then got into it and enjoyed it, but since we've been back home (only a couple of months ) I haven't finished it - will try harder!
It's a wonderful book - made me sob. And I also loved The Secret History and The Kite Runner. So, like boogeek I too am off to hunt down Shantaram - thanks for the tip katielittlemouse!
I didn't like it at all, sorry. Found it really irritating but was written as a children's book originally I think.Did make me cry. Found it a bit self consciously trying to be clever. However, The Secret History is one of my fave books! in fact may read it again now you have reminded me.
What's the secret history? What is the secret history??? It is wonderful - my favourite ever and the only book I have ever read through (in about 24 hours, breathlessly) then turned over and started again immediately. By the unfortunately named Donna Tartt: it apparently took her 10 years. She then spent another 10 years and came up with The Little Friend, which was so disappointing.
.....whilst I can see where the criticism originates (contrived and clunky metaphors certainly) I loved this book.
Despite the seemingly bleak subject matter it is ultimately warm, funny, human and humane.
...I read the book, have listened to the audiobook, and am just going to have a peek on IMDB to see if film rights have been sold. I think it would transfer very well to the screen....
The Secret History is by Donna Tartt, it's a fab book - unputdownable... another MUST READ.
Shantaram is a mammouth novel, set in India. I is about a guy who escapes jail from Australia, travels to India and gets involved with the mafia and also works as a doctor in the slums of Bombay.... fascinating. I love books about India. Have travelled there several times, my fav. country!
I do think that it is jam packed with metaphors that do sometimes catch of the flow of reading but even for that I still loved The Book Thief. Simply for the characters I think and for once I didn't foresee what was going to happen.
Also loved The Secret History too and was equally disappointed in My Little Friend. Although I didn't mind the ending as such I did feel it was very rushed, almost as though she realised how much she had written and got fed up with the story so just ended it. There, managed that without putting a spoiler I hope!
I wonder if I should try and finish the Little Friend. I too waited with bated breath for it as loved Secret history, might have to read that again now.
Loved Kite Runner and Splendid suns.
Just finished a Jodi Piccoult run, and am relaxing with Slummy Mummy which has had me laughing out loud on trains etc.
I am descended from Dutch Jews and I have been researching what happened to them in WWII. There was no happy ending for the majority and so, to me, reading The Book Thief was poignant, thought provoking and gave me an insight into how some Germans felt about the persecution.
A brilliant book and one I urge you to read if you have not.
I'm 100 pages in, thinking you lot are smoking something.
If death ever talks, I would expect him to have something more interesting to say about the world, life, death, etc than rambling on about colors in the sky like a retard.
Does it get better? Or should I go back to my book club saying the dog ate it?
Want to read it, recommended by most, but if this is, dear OP a parallel of heights with the kite runner then maybe I won't like it. KR could have been at least a third shorter, great story I love thousand splendid suns but lots of KR was overdone/ overexplained IMO
I hated 1000 Splendid Suns. Written in English by an American who knows little about Afghanistan. Everyone in the West knows two things about Afghanistan - (1) Buddha statues blown up by the Taliban and (2) women get beaten up there. And that is all this book talks about.
Like a book about the US, written in Arabic, by a Saudi guy, which talks only about everyone eating hamburgers and banging each other.
I loved this book, was randomly recommended to me by a woman in Tesco (shock horror at the shop) whilst I recommended a John Harvey book to her! (lots of pondering in the book aisle) I enjoyed this immensley, I hope she enjoyed her book too!
Phew - CoteDAzur. I pretty much felt the same way about The Book Thief. Totally overwritten. The basic storyline was ok, but the writing was so self-indulgent. Drove me nuts. There are lots of good books out there about the German experience of WWII and the Holocaust. This is, IMHO, not one of them.
Haven't read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Was put off by all the hype...
The author seems to get more involved with his story as the book progresses, and less obsessed with proving how novel and clever his writing can be, so yes - to a certain extent - it does improve.
I've only read the first 100 pages so perhaps shouldn't judge, but it is just so... puerile.
If characters were any less developed, they would be one-dimensional. So far, the only thing I know about 'Mama' is that she calls everyone "swine", for example.
And will death stop rambling like an imbecile about colors? In the rest of the book, does he say anything remotely interesting about being an immortal predator?
i only give books 50 pages and if they still bore me, they go back to the library, donated to the charity shop or, for ones i find it sinful to impose on others, they become tender for the garden rubbish fires.
Without meaning to be rude - How old are you people, and which other books are you comparing this to?
I'm at page 387 and it is still as superficial, dull, and childish as the first 10 pages.
Alice In Wonderland is a children's book, but it works on multiple levels and the adult reader takes something from it as well as the child. Same with Moby Dick, where a simple story carries complex themes.
Not here. The Book Thief is just a children's book. There is no complexity. Even death, a timeless entity that should be a source of penetrating wisdom and unique perspective, has nothing remotely interesting to say.
Completely agree with you CoteDAzur.Found it dreadful and v badly written. Was not in the least surprised to see it was written by a youngish Australian.
You should have seen me rant and rave on 1000 Splendid Suns. I was born & raised in a Muslim country so know a bit about the religion, customs, traditions and ripped that pile of poop page by page.
Will you live forever? If not, just how do you justify another eight hours spent on these 500+ page book?
I'm just wishing for it to end now so I can start reading a book written for adults. Like Anathem (Neal Stephenson) or even Devil May Care (Sebastian Faulks).
You know what would make this book interesting? If the eternal, preternatural predator Death was more like Lestat in the book "Interview With The Vampire". He is just a vampire, but the subject of eternal life, witnessing the deaths of mortals, caring for humans but being above it all, etc was narrated with interesting depth and beauty.
This Death just rambles about the sky being "the color of Jews". Wtf?
Hmm, that would actually be an interesting competition, because The Memory Keeper's Daughter could certainly give it a run for its money. As could The Island.
See, I'd say that The Time Traveller's Wife is 'better', by virtue of being more original than The Book Thief, whose plot, while good-ish and worthy, was nevertheless almost entirely predictable (to say nothing about the style, however).
Haven't read The Memory Keeper's Daughter or The Island. Generally I avoid 'bestsellers' (unless it's Roth, whom I lurrrve). Somehow The Book Thief slipped under my radar. Waste of £7.99.
Secret history by Donna Tartt was fabulous. I waited and waited then didn't like My Little Friend.
The book thief...I am reading now. Its ok, but not a stunner in my book. I am enjoying it, and yes it has brought me to tears, and laughter. May be i will feel differently when I finish it.
Before this book club, I honestly did not know that loads of people read the same books. They feature on bestsellers lists and are read by everyone. Like following fashion.
It is insane. Isn't it common knowledge that these bestselling books lists are just like Top Of The Pops - catering to the lowest common denominator. Written/performed by talentless newcomers and heavily mass-marketed. Most people I associate with don't listen to shitty #1 pop songs, so it was a bit of a shock to realize that friends read these books. And enjoy them
The last Rebus was far better The Memory Keeper's Daughter, though.
I did a smash and grab last time I was in Waterstone's as didn't have the kids so the clock was ticking on me.
Wound up with a Richard and Judy machination, The Savage Garden, Joan Harris's debut novel (I know, I know! I blame the post-partum hormones, I had just had DS 4 weeks before) and Duma Key by Stephen King.
He had a few of his cliches in there, Cote, he loves his dead children (twins, especially) but yes, I have to agree, his writing was top-notch and the story showed an originality which is sadly lacking in a lot of what is out there.
Anyone else feel rather furtive when checking out the 3 for 2 table?
I rather liked the Book Thief - it is fresh and original - the metaphors aren't that clunky. It's a light read for sure - in no way is the book Serious Literary Fiction - but it's none the worse for that.
Or Heart of Darkness, which all first-time authors should be forced to study for lessons in how to tell a proper story in well under 1000 pages, how to credit your reader with an imagination and why subtlety and suggestion are art forms.
Oh I had forgotten how good the Secret History was! Read it years ago, and nearly died with disappointment when I struggled througn over 50 pages of the Little Friend then gave up. Did she ever write any more after that?
Memory Keeper's Daughter - wanky, Woman's Realm bag of shite. Sooooo bad. And somehow I'd actually bought 2 copies by mistake!!!
Loved the Time Traveller's Wife.
And loved The Post Birthday World which I first saw mentioned on here.
Currently loving The House at Riverton, again which I've heard good things about on here. Not that far in but story seems to be trying to be a bit too Ian McEwen Atonement-y?
'Currently loving The House at Riverton, again which I've heard good things about on here. Not that far in but story seems to be trying to be a bit too Ian McEwen Atonement-y?'
It's a rip-off of Upstairs, Downstairs, although the author admits only to being 'inspired' by the series.
Was really referring to the "old lady wants to tell her deepest secret before she dies" type of idea. But yes, have also recognised Upstairs Downstairs, although never saw that series all the way through so haven't a clue if she's nicked it or not! Still, it's a page-turner for me. I have come to realise that whilst searching for my perfect read I am looking to recreate exactly the same feeling I used to get as a child reading an Enid Blyton (i.e. used to come in early from playing Kick the Can in the street with my friends just to see what happened to George and Timmy next LOL)
Nooo, I loved Enid Blyton and agree that it should be mentioned on a thread about a children's book. I read lots of his books in translation, before I learned English - so, age 8-9.
It was the time (late o'clock) that finished me off. (We are an hour ahead)
I agree with katiekittlemouse. The Book Thief is a brilliant book. Incredibly poignant in places. As katie said unusual, harrowing, sad and in parts funny.
I honestly do not think that this is a case of me not 'getting it'. It is as transparent and 2-dimensional a book as I've ever read (and that is against some competition).
Is there a level to this book that you feel I may have missed? An allegory perhaps? For example, you need to know that "Lord of the Flies" is the literal translation of Beelzebub (= Devil) to properly understand that book. Was there such a key to appreciating the depth of The Book Thief?
Or, is it possible that this is a simple children's book with a very simple plot and paper-thin characters?
Atonement was another book chosen by our book club. I didn't mind it, because Ian McEwan is a first rate author. Or possibly because previous choices were so badly written and dull.
If the writer is not great, he should have a great story. Ian McEwan doesn't have good stories (and sometimes even has no story at all, like in Saturday) but has singular insight into the human psyche. Some other authors I have read and loved are not terribly gifted, but have amazing stories to tell (like Neal Stephenson) that blow you away.
What pisses me off with pea-brained "bestseller" books like 1000 Splendid Suns and The Book Thief is that there is nothing special about the story and there is nothing special about the author. Just a lot of heart string tugging.
it was set during the war, related to Nazi Germany and was beautifully written in a unique style. I liked the funny bits at the start of each chapter or throughout the chapters, written by death. it was rather amusing at times, even if the story itself was rather sad. poor Liesel was just doomed losing her mother and then her foster parents. At least Max was their for her in the end.
There are only about 10,000 other novels based in Nazi Germany, so I assume you didn't feel the setting was that unique
Those "funny bits" really annoy me, because they make Death sound like a particularly dim 8 year old. All those lists. Here is the definition of this and that. Sky is the color of Jews. I like this color and that color. Wth? You are the immortal predator, the timeless spectator of all history. And that is all you have to say?
I thought that the "sky is the color of Jews" was reasonably clever writing - as referring to the smoke that came from concentration camp crematoria and would have been visible to residents of nearby areas.
Is The Blind Assasin good - I've had it on my pile to read for ages now, am in the middle of The Tennant of Wildfell Hall - got it in a library clear out for 20p!!
I read The Alchemist when it first came out about 15 years ago, so don't remember it in detail. A bit allegorical especially re Freemasonry, so it was a bit more interesting than the average sentimental fairy tale of the moment. From what I recall, it was full of truisms, simple words of wisdom, etc so yes it did bore me to death as well.
) I haven't finished it - will try harder! 
