We've read the heartfelt diary of Anne Frank or other tales of the inhumane acts of Hitler and the Nazis. Life during World War II was truly horrible for anyone lacking in their German ancestry. What must it have been like to be on the other side?
The movie The Book Thief introduces us to a young girl (Leisel) on her way to meet her adopted German parents. Unfortunately, her story begins with a death as her younger brother passes away while on the train ride to their new life. Oh yeah and........the narrator of her story is none other than death himself.
Our young, female heroine is brought to a little German community on Heaven St. (Very funny Mr. Death). Her new mother is rough around the edges with the biggest heart and her father with his gentle sweetness gives Leisel the confidence and knowledge she needs to understand life as she now knows it as well as right and wrong when it comes to following so called leaders.
Leisel learns to read and it is through words that she finds life's true beauty. From painting a picture of the outside world to her secret, Jewish friend Max in the basement, to retelling an H.G. Wells story to neighbors as they hide in the basement while bombs go off above them. Leitzle's belief in what is right and the empowerment of independent thought along with her thirst for knowledge lead her to make decisions such as stealing books from a book burning (apparently it is very wrong to be Jewish and seek knowledge) to sneaking into a German woman's house in order to "borrow" books that never have intentions of returning. She is a rebel with a meaningful cause.
What I appreciate most about this movie is how it depicts the blind faith some had in such a terrible person but also the resentment some Germans had. Watching Leisel and her very Arian race appearing best friend yelling,"I hate Hitler" across the pond was truly powerful.
You will laugh, be shocked, and cry as you continue to route for this brave girl.
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