Chatterbox: Blab About Books

Okay. I actually haven't made a book discussion for a while, but I feel that this deserves it. Because, if you haven't read my post in the True Selves RP, I think very highly of this book. I'm shoving it right up top next to the Hunger Games and Harry Potter. 

Now for the rant about how amazing it is. Feel free to not read it and just rant yourself in whatever way you'd like.

--SPOILER ALERT--

First of all, I like the fact that it's narrated by Death. I think it's a really creative touch and quite unique-- because, technically, Death is a character is the story just like all the others, because Liesel experiences so much of it. And (of course feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but if you give me some horrible, not-very-well-written book I won't accept it) I haven't heard of any other books that are narrated by Death. That's pretty cool.

There's also the simple fact of the way Death's character was handled. There was an author interview at the back of my copy where he explained how Death was originally very creepy and liked his job a bit too much. But then he came back later with a more tired Death, one who was beginning to realise what a drag his work was, and starting to fear, admire, and scorn humans all at the same time. Which is a very interesting angle to take.

Secondly, you can tell how much work went into this book. It's not a first draft you're holding in your hands. Every sentence was whittled to perfection, which not even JK Rowling or Suzanne Collins can best. You can simply feel the effort that went in to giving each line the perfect tone, that would make it run smoothly, advanced yet simple, and a read that doesn't leave any stray, loose-ended sentences tugging at your mind. (For example, I've always had "I program the closet for an outfit to my taste" sticking in my head after reading The Hunger Games. It definitely could have been pruned a bit.)

And thirdly, it's dark! It's completely dark and it's a tragedy. Almost everyone dies, or the main characters at least, save two or three. I kind of like that kind of story. Yes, I may be a bit sick. But that's the kind of thing I like to read, everyone dies. I like to see where the author goes with the emotions.

But the great thing about the, well, darkness of the book is, to quote Time: "Zusak doesn't sugarcoat anything, but he makes his ostensibly gloomy subject bearable.... with grim, darkly consoling humor."

So that's it. I'm done.

What are your thoughts on The Book Thief?