Book Club: The Book Thief | Reflections of the Movie | Giveaway

Welcome back to part 2 of The Book Thief Book to Movie Club!

Back on November 8th we shared our meet up where we discussed the book before we saw the film. Well today we are sharing our reflections of what we thought of the film in comparison to the book itself. 

Here are a few pictures of our movie night group:

From left to right: Sheila D., Me, Trudy, Michelle, Rachel, Heather, Jessica, Lori, Sheila M. and Jennifer.

The Book Thief took a sometime to open in the greater Houston area (11/27). As a group we didn't see it till Sunday, 12/1. The movie theater was practically ours when we arrived, just before the movie started a handful of people arrived too.

We were all ready with our popcorn, soda and tissues.

Here is what a few of us had to say:

Me:

The Book Thief's adaptation had several parts omitted or changed throughout the full course of the film that if you did read the novel you would have caught and it might have bothered you some. But the film still entertained me for the most part. The ending of the film which was altered from the book was my favorite change from book to movie adaptation. This is the one time I was extremely happy they changed something from the book itself. The Book Thief is guaranteed to bring you joy, sadness and pain with a strong young character to carry the story on her shoulders. I really loved Ben Schnetzer's portray of Max, he really catered his part for me. And Nico Liersch as Rudy was just too adorable and sad at the same time, great job casting wise on both those characters. And let's not leave out Death, I was pleased how he presented himself in The Book Thief.

Michelle:

I personally enjoyed the film adaptation of best selling novel, The Book Thief. As in the book the story is narrated by Death and gives an account of the life of Liesel Meminger, a young orphaned girl growing up in Germany in the midst of WWII. I enjoyed the choice of actors especially the children who played Liesel (Sophie Nelisse) and her friend Rudy Steiner (Nico Liersch). I was a bit disappointed in how "tame" Rosa Hubermann (mamma) was portrayed, however Hans Hubermann (Papa) felt like an old friend. Liesel's relationship with Max and Rudy are told beautifully and felt genuine. I was touched by the way Liesel was passionate about reading, and words and how they can paint a picture. Although the movie felt bland at certain times it will appeal to both readers and non- readers alike. But be warned, this film comes across very monochrome throughout and is not a happily ever after. it is also quite lengthy.

Jennifer:

After reading the novel, The Book Thief, and then seeing the movie, I was disappointed that many of the important details that were present in the book but were missing from the movie - for example, we never saw the scene with Max walking to the camps, we never met the neighbor who spit on their front door, and Rudy and Leisel never stole the fruit. There were several things that were different from the book to the movie, such as Rudy being alive in the last scene, and we never learned that Rudy's father returned from the war alive... he just all of a sudden showed up working in his shop at the end!

I did like how the end of the movie told you a little more than the book about what happened to the characters. It was nice to hear that Max lived to a very old age. However, overall, I was disappointed in both the book and the movie. The book was difficult to read and keep track of because of how Death kept jumping around. The movie lacked details and was at times boring because there were a lot of things left out. I personally think that if more of the details were included, the movie might have moved at a better pace.

Trudy:

Went to the movie very intrigued as to how they would portrayed death as the narrator, was very disappointed. In the book death is a very important part, in the movie it was delegated to just small narrative pieces in the beginning, the middle and the end, not what I expected. Although from the previews I wasn't very impressed by the characters, seeing the movie changed my mind. Rudy was close to what I pictured from the book, same as Mama and Papa. The girl that acted as Liesel did a very good job on her role, but Max even as he grew on me, needed to be more frail and sickly. I would have included in the movie other parts from the book that were more important, as it is it felt incomplete. I did like the ending in the book better, it gave you a better outlook to what happened to Liesel's life after.

Jessica:

As with every book to movie we had a few discrepancies but overall the book & movie were just amazing. The story of a girl growing up and blossoming into something so amazing caught my attention. This story although fiction could have easily happened to any child growing up in Europe during the 1930's. Do yourself a favor and read the book. Watch the movie. And educate yourself on the atrocities of the holocaust. We shall never forget!!!

Sheila M:

The movie did a great job of showing closure at the end of the movie, while in contrast the book felt too open ended with too many different open ended situations. I also loved the actor who played Papa in the movie. I believed they did a great job casting him. There as there often are a lot of discrepancies between the book and the movie. The movie sugar coated the fact that she indeed stole more than just books and left out major events that were present in the book. I think there could have been more if the plot from the book brought into the movie and less quite drama that left people in the audience at times trying to stay awake. Overall, this is the kind of movie I would love to take a twelve year old to, that could open up lines and show what wars look like and areas of history.

Heather:

I really enjoyed both the book and the movie. I was a little apprehensive when I first started the book, with it being told from the perspective of death, however, it didn't take long to know that it couldn't be told from any other perspective. I liked how descriptive the book and movie both were with the events that took place. I have never cried while reading a book until this one! I would highly recommend both the book and movie!

Rachel:

I absolutely loved the book! There was so much emotion in Liesel's life for such a young girl. First, she lost her brother unexpectedly during a train ride that was taking her to a new family where her mother would leave her. Then, she built a beautiful friendship with someone, that she couldn't share with anyone for fear of getting in trouble, who left without saying goodbye.


Going into the movie, I expected much more emotion during those three moments, but there was almost none. If I hadn't read the book, I don't think I would have been as disappointed. There were many times that parts of the movie were so out of order from the book it was confusing for the reader.


I wish Death had more of a part in the movie as well. Many of the other members of the group didn't like death for his dry personality, but I think that's how he would have to be to do his job. He was so prominent in the book that you would think you would hear more from him in the movie.


Overall, the book, for me, was a million times better. The movie will be great for people who haven't read the book and hopefully keep the history of that era alive for the younger generations.

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THE BOOK THIEF – now playing in select theaters

Based on the beloved bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a new family in World War II Germany.

Starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse.

Directed by Brian Percival.

THE BOOK THIEF online: official website | Facebook | Twitter | #TheBookThief

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