When a popular book is made into a movie, I have a hard time deciding whether I should read the book first or see the movie and then read the book. “The Book Thief” is not a new book, but one I have wanted to read for a long time. When I came across the DVD last week, I decided to see the movie and then decide whether to read the book.
I was very impressed with the movie version. As it is classified as YA, events and characters relating to the Holocaust and World War II are not graphically portrayed. Yet, the cruelty of the war and how people suffered still pack an emotional wallop. Emily Watson and Geoffrey Rush give outstanding performances as German citizens who are not Nazi supports. The two children Sophie Nelisse as Liesel and Nico Liersch as Rudy did an amazing job in these two important roles.
“The Book Thief” is on my read next list. I hope that the movie will enrich the reading experience.