The Book Thief - MUST read

I started reading it 22nd dec last year and finished it Christmas Eve. Reallly enjoyed it, brilliant read.

(How to put this nicely...)

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?

Cote, you and I appear to have similar taste in books.

I'll be giving this one a miss.

I found both 'House at Riverton' and 'Atonement' steaming piles, IYKWIM.

Cote, I think if you've not 'got it' by now you probably aren't going to Sounds like it might not be your cup of tea.

In no way would I apply the adjectives that you've used in your last post to describe this book.

At which point does The Book Thief get "brilliant", then? Because as of page 417, it is shallow, childish, and toe-curlingly dull.

I liked "Duma Key". Having said that, I'm now reading King's new collection of short stories atm and they're not really doing it for me tbh.

"The House At Riverton" was terrible. It was a direct rip off of "Attonement" - which was also terrible.

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.

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)

Ohhhhhh........was it the mention of [whispers] Enid Blyton that killed this thread?

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)

'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.

I'm guessing you only read the first page of the thread, then

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?

think I will try the Book Thief next.

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.

Forget "Serious Literary Fiction". The Book Thief is not even written for adults. It's a children's book.

Looking back, I read more complex and intriguing books in my teens. Even at school. Lord Of The Flies, for example.

Yes, they'd catch you. But they're probably at least be secretly sympathetic.

At least I only checked out 'The Abortionist's Daughter' from the library.

I occasionally think about peeling the stickers off the books on offer and sticking them on books I'd rather buy.

But I think they'd catch me at the till...

I always look round at the cameras, thinking, 'Bet the staff are laughing their arses off,' or I feel like picking up the 3 and going, 'Bbbbaaaaaa'.

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.

Me, expat. They make me all hysterical - I have to find 3...

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?

Penthesileia

Consider it the freebie in your 3 for 2, Pen. That should dull the pain.

I read Duma Key. It was actually pretty interesting.

Compared to this lot of new generation bestseller authors, Stephen King is a damn good writer.

Cote, I am so feeling your righteous outrage.

I feel dirty that I bought The Book Thief.

In my defence, however, and as an illustration of its general simplicity, etc., I read it in one day while bf-ing DD. Not too demanding, obviously...

Actually, that doesn't work. It makes it even more of a waste of £7.99.

Godammit.