Mumsnet Talk

I will go with the majority vote!

Haven't read RR but I thought the BT was amazing. It is one of those stories that will stay with me forever.

The Book Thief is incredible.

I would go with the Book Thief - one of the best book I have ever read.

Just to be contrary, haven't read BT but RR absolutely blew me away from the first page to the last. The quality of the writing is just superb.

I really enjoyed 'The Book Thief'.

Book Thief is a must read.

I loved RR.

I have both on my bookshelf waiting ...

It's looking like BT

The book thief will probably make you cry a lot, so dont read it in a public place. Everyone who I have spoken to about the book has cried, and not pretty quiet crying, but loud racking sobs. Just a warning

I have read both - I didn't like the Book Thief - found (sorry all) Enjoyed RR though so that would be my vote

Revolutionary Road is great, really powerful writing and pretty horrowing in parts. We did it for Book Group a while ago and had v interesting discussions re motherhood and domestic life.

We read The Book Thief last month (well I didn't for some reason) and everyone loved it. It was a number of peoples top 5 of ALL TIME books. So I must read it.

Do not waste time on The Book Thief. Overwritten tripe, IMVHO. There are MUCH better books written about Germany during WWII, or about the Holocaust, if you want to read a book about those matters: Primo Levi, If this is a man; Gunter Grass, The Tin Drum. Etc.

Revolutionary Road, on the other hand, is excellent.

Also found The Book Thief to be tripe, both overwritten and badly written. A typical 'International Bestseller'. Glad someone else agrees with me.

Would like to read Revolutionary Road though.

margotfonteyn - I am glad not to be alone also - would be interested once you have read RR to hear your feedback.

I liked The Book Thief a lot and so did my dp (and we rarely agree on books) AND so did dd1 and the Yr 11 pupils I recommended it to.

Haven't read RR - would anybody like to give me a brief intro to it?

I thought the book thief was a good easy quick read - the narrator was 11yrs so style is simplistic.

Not read RR.

Have started RR (so didn't go with majority!)

So far, very good

Read both. Enjoyed RR far more (although it is a bit sad!)

Read both. Enjoyed RR far more (although it is a bit sad!)

Read both. Enjoyed RR far more (although it is a bit sad!)

Didn't like BT, in fact didn't even bother reading to end of it. I thought Boy in Striped Pyjamas better child's eye view of that period.

Thoroughly enjoyed The Book Thief.
So did dh and dd1 (18). Found it very moving and unusual being told by a different portrayal of Death personified (he is mostly detached but not always).

Have only read Revolutionary Road and it's superb... you wont be disappointed.

RR is brilliant

Not read the other