My Overall Response
For me, this novel was a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed the way Death narrates the book, as well as the way he feels about and views humans. Watching Liesel develop was also very interesting.
I used to be quite the avid reader, however, now I do not have as much time as I used to, so I sacrificed my reading time. This made me eager to have to read a book as an assignment. Then, when I finished it, I was glad to have completed my assignment.
The theme of the power of words appeals to me because I find it fascinating how people can be so easily controlled. It reminds me of the adage, 'The pen is mightier than the sword'. Which given the widespreadness of adages, I think most people will be able to identify with it. I also liked the motif of the accordion. I love music, so the accordion was right up my alley. I loved how it showed how music can bring joy even in the grimmest of circumstances. I think anyone else who feels passionate about music would like this motif.
I find most of the characters believable in this book because they seem like what I think people in Germany during WW2 would be like. I find the nuns a little harder to believe, but that is probably only because I've never seen any of that in person. Some technicallilites about Death, such as how he gets the energy to do all that, makes me think he is unrealistic. The character that made the biggest impact on me was Death because of his enlightening opinion of humans. Liesel also made an impact on me by how she got through all those awful things.
I would change Liesel not playing accordion to her learning how to play. That way, she could be a beacon of hope for others and spread happiness. This would also strengthen her bond with her Papa.
This novel brought me knowledge about how people can be so easily influenced, manipulated, and controlled all through the simple but yet strong power of words. This makes me wary and more observant of that in my life. I would recommend this to my friends so that they can enjoy the first part and then I can laugh at them when they cry at the end. I think this is valuable for students to read because it helps them understand the commonly asked question, "How could the people of Germany stand by while Jews were tortured and killed?"
I used to be quite the avid reader, however, now I do not have as much time as I used to, so I sacrificed my reading time. This made me eager to have to read a book as an assignment. Then, when I finished it, I was glad to have completed my assignment.
The theme of the power of words appeals to me because I find it fascinating how people can be so easily controlled. It reminds me of the adage, 'The pen is mightier than the sword'. Which given the widespreadness of adages, I think most people will be able to identify with it. I also liked the motif of the accordion. I love music, so the accordion was right up my alley. I loved how it showed how music can bring joy even in the grimmest of circumstances. I think anyone else who feels passionate about music would like this motif.
I find most of the characters believable in this book because they seem like what I think people in Germany during WW2 would be like. I find the nuns a little harder to believe, but that is probably only because I've never seen any of that in person. Some technicallilites about Death, such as how he gets the energy to do all that, makes me think he is unrealistic. The character that made the biggest impact on me was Death because of his enlightening opinion of humans. Liesel also made an impact on me by how she got through all those awful things.
I would change Liesel not playing accordion to her learning how to play. That way, she could be a beacon of hope for others and spread happiness. This would also strengthen her bond with her Papa.
This novel brought me knowledge about how people can be so easily influenced, manipulated, and controlled all through the simple but yet strong power of words. This makes me wary and more observant of that in my life. I would recommend this to my friends so that they can enjoy the first part and then I can laugh at them when they cry at the end. I think this is valuable for students to read because it helps them understand the commonly asked question, "How could the people of Germany stand by while Jews were tortured and killed?"