The Book Thief's setting is unlike other books during this time period. Most of them are set in a Jewish neighborhood or concentration camp, where as this book is set in a German neighborhood. I think the author (Markus Zusak) did a great job of taking on a new perspective of the setting. Having Death as the narrator creates an easier way for me to visualize the neighborhood Liesel lives in and what's going on from a "spectator" view rather than seeing the setting from the main characters point of view. I picture the setting as having a cloudy sky, boring/dull houses, with a depressing feel to the neighborhood. The setting impacts Liesel because she begins to realize how the Jews are treated and learns about the "road of yellow stars" where the Jewish people live and have the yellow Star of David on their doors. Being in this setting, Liesel also learns more about people's support of Hitler and Nazi cruelty that is becoming worse and worse. For the reader to understand the time period during the book, they should have some knowledge of the Holocaust or know at least a little information about what was going on during that time period (the Jewish struggles, concentration camps). I think the setting of the book couldn't be changed because if it's altered then the plot would be much different from what it is now.
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I like how you mentioned that most books taking place during this time period take place in concentration camps or Jewish neighborhoods. I agree with this--it seems like every Nazi book we read is written from the perspective of the Jews that were persecuted. It's interesting to see Nazi Germany from the perspective of an innocent little girl instead.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that there is a lot of media and information on concentration camps and stories of their experiences. Reading about a Nazi Germany story from a little girl is eye-opening and really helps me think about how it affected people of all ages.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a twist in the way that it is told from a German's perspective. Another book like that is "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas" which is told from the perspective of the son of a Nazi military leader. However, Leisel's situation is completely different. This is the first book I've read that shows how hiding a jewish person affected the Germans instead of just the Jewish person.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that this book is different compaired to other books set in this time period. We dont normally get to read a stroy that is not written by a Jew from this time peroid, so we get to see what it was like for those who werent sent away, and that the governments changes affected everyone.
ReplyDeleteI for sure agree that this book is different than most books that take place during this time. An very interesting point you made was that because Death is the narrator, you see the setting as more of a spectator; I never thought of that, but I think it is very true.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the setting is irreplaceable. If say, the book were set in apartheid South Africa, the characters would be totally different. I think that Liesel would be more racist than she is now if the setting were different.
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