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Original poster

The Book Thief - MUST read

130 replies

katiekittlemouse · 05/11/2008 21:05

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.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/01/2009 22:53

I didn't even had the excuse of being drunk!

expatinscotland · 02/01/2009 22:53

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.

Duma King was the best out of the lot.

CoteDAzur · 02/01/2009 22:50

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

Now I am really hoping none are MNers.

Penthesileia · 02/01/2009 22:48

Holy shit, expat. In Borders - yes. I bought a Roth book, the last Rebus (I know, I know), and that! God help me. I was suckered in.

ScottishMummy · 02/01/2009 22:48

thing is i an copious reader,and will listen to reviews/recommendation in case i miss out

blackrock · 02/01/2009 22:47

Thought 'The Island' was dull, dull, dull.

Also thought that about Iris Murdoch's The Sea though. It was a memorable read, but undulated gently.

Penthesileia · 02/01/2009 22:46

Ironic that we keep bumping this thread, thus subliminally encouraging hordes of MNers to go and buy this MUST READ book...

ScottishMummy · 02/01/2009 22:46

fecking endless pages about wife willowy pallor,nape of neck etc.heavy on narrative low on story

expatinscotland · 02/01/2009 22:45

'Waste of £7.99.'

Was it sitting on the 3 for 2 table at Waterstone's?

blackrock · 02/01/2009 22:44

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.

CoteDAzur · 02/01/2009 22:43

Oh the endless descriptions of snow in Memory Keeper's Daughter almost killed me.

He was "listening to the snow fall". Right.

Penthesileia · 02/01/2009 22:42

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.

Penthesileia · 02/01/2009 22:41

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).

ScottishMummy · 02/01/2009 22:40

Oh Memory Keeper wife,the endless descriptions schmaltzy naratives.eugh

expatinscotland · 02/01/2009 22:40

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.

ScottishMummy · 02/01/2009 22:39

forced to read TT Wife,me toomy sole book long haul will never get that tie back

CoteDAzur · 02/01/2009 22:38

Was it worse than Memory Keeper's Daughter?

CoteDAzur · 02/01/2009 22:37

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?

expatinscotland · 02/01/2009 22:36

Oh, that's nothing! I was forced to read The Time Traveller's Wife.

I nearly lost the will to live a few times.

CoteDAzur · 02/01/2009 22:32

"Read it again"

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).

Penthesileia · 02/01/2009 22:30

Just trying to visualise the stunned faces of the other members who thought it was 'a nice read'. Ho ho ho.

CoteDAzur · 02/01/2009 22:27

I've done it before. They humor me

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.

Penthesileia · 02/01/2009 22:07

LOL. Would love to be a fly on the wall in Cote's book group when she lets rip about the general crappiness of this book.

bagsforlife · 02/01/2009 21:52

Yes, I was forced to read the Memory Keepers Daughter too.....

janeite · 02/01/2009 21:49

I agree that The Memory Keeper's Daughter and 1000 Splendid Suns were no good but I really liked The Book Thief.

Unfortunately it's a while since I read it and I can't remember much about it, so need to read it again.

The not remembering is a flaw in me, not in the book!