A stunning book unlike any other, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak has been around for almost two decades now. In that time, it has proven to be a novel of distinction, and I strongly believe it stands as a modern classic and a historical fiction novel that everyone can enjoy. But what if I told you that while it is a beautiful novel, I struggle to get through it because of the battle between Writer Anna and Reader Anna’s preferences?

Similar to my feelings about Laini Taylor’s Strange the Dreamer, The Book Thief has the essence of a phenomenal YA book. More than that, it has the fundamental richness of a great book. The description is rich, so vivid it is almost tangible on paper, and without a doubt, this novel contains some of the best storytelling and descriptive passages and phrases I have ever read. My writer’s heart sings with every line, sometimes bellowing out praises left and right for these paragraphs because the depth of detail and immersion never ends. I can feel the grittiness of humanity in parts where it is but a fleeting note. I can smell the sweat and sorrow of life when it’s but a passing glance in the grand scheme of Death’s monologue. I can taste sorrow, pain, fury and love where the action is a simple exchange of words. There is a genuine sense of authenticity and care for the world depicted, not only in the accurate portrayal of characters, settings and history but in the world as Death would see it. How our narrator – as old and wise and weathered as Death is – would see humanity and the lives of mortals. If I could read this solely as a writer, I would be happy to the end of my days, returning to the powerful imagery and lush characterisations every month to not forget a word of it. But the reader in me isn’t so satisfied.

As I’ve mentioned in many reviews and discussions, I require an emotional attachment to my narrative voice to invest myself in a novel. I need that emotional connection to generally the protagonist to feel immersed as a reader. In this case, the narrator and the protagonist are two different characters, and while that makes for an interesting story, there is a distance between me as the reader and Liesel because of Death’s omniscient perspective. Those who have read my classic novel reviews know that I don’t like reading omniscient perspectives due to that removed air in the narrative voice. Markus Zusak makes this omniscient view less clinical and mundane by giving Death more personality and flavour in his delivery, but Death’s mild interest in the little book thief isn’t strong enough from an emotional standpoint for me to feel fully engaged in the text (I say this early on in the book, and latter events may give Death that desperate, deep-hearted urge to react to something happening to Liesel that will tip over into the territory I am talking about).

Now would be a good time to tell you something you may not believe. This is my first time reading The Book Thief, even though it has been around since 2005. I didn’t read it in my preteen or teenage years when many people I knew were reading it or had read it. I didn’t even pick it up from the library until I was around 22, and I’ve been wrestling with that sense of overwhelming anticipation and pressure to enjoy it. Honestly, there’s a sense of foreboding regarding this book. That makes reading this difficult. I want to enjoy it because what I’ve read so far is the epitome of beautiful and raw writing. I want to enjoy it because it is a book that has stood the test of time and continues to be a stunning piece of literature. I want to enjoy it because disliking it as a reader and being unable to finish this incredible book feels like a lose-lose situation. Having to admit that despite the mountains of praise I have for this book, I couldn’t get through the first 100 pages makes me feel like a failure of a reader. Calling myself an avid historical fiction reader but DNFing The Book Thief feels hypocritical.

I think the answer is going to be taking this slowly, reading a few chapters or a part at a time to allow myself the time and space to absorb all the juicy detail and writing techniques to store away while also making sure to keep the self-applied pressure low throughout the read. I hope this works because I can see myself buying this book for its high quality writing and aspirational storytelling. I guess time will tell (and the July Reading Summary) so fingers crossed I reach the end.