Rarely do I feel moved enough by a film to read the novel it is based on. Yet, as soon as I saw the initial trailer for the upcoming picture The Book Thief, I knew I would need to log in to my Amazon account and order it immediately.
Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death, who the book notes was ‘very busy at that time’, the film follows a girl who cannot read, yet arrives with a book in her possession. The Book Thief explores the relationships and dynamics of this adopted girl, her parents, society, and the Jewish man hiding in their cellar.
One of the recurring lines in the trailer (watch it below!) explains the title of the film, and book; ‘is that yours?’ ‘It wasn’t always mine’.
Starring Sophie Nelisse, Geoffery Rush and Emily Watson, this film, based on Markuz Zusak’s award winning book of the same name, already shows promise. For myself it will be a well needed break from the blockbusters of the Summer whose scripts although comedic at times, have left much to be desired on a more emotional and moral basis.
The Book Thief will be released in UK cinemas on January 31st 2014. The novel is published in paperback by Transworld Publishers and is available now in bookstores and online.
