The author of
The Book Thief uses the rhetorical device of "point of view" to add an interesting perspective to the storyline of the novel. The book is narrated by a character who claims to be the personified version of death. Death provides a third person narration of the story of Liesel, "the book thief" while also having the ability to inform the reader on the other events occurring world wide during World War II which wouldn't be able to be achieved with a first person narration from Liesel. This perspective from Death showcases the many tragedies of the war and the constant death associated with it. Death narrates in terms of flashbacks seemingly recalling the previous lives of the souls he unfortunately had to take, but also propelling the story forward by recounting the events that may lead to their demise from an an extremely unique view point.
From a reader's perspective, Death being the narrator of the story always intrigues me and makes me want to continue reading as Death interjects his point of view from the present into his flashbacks. For example, when talking about Hans Hubermann he says, "We'll give him seven months. Then we come for him. And oh, how we come." (pg 128). I found this line making me want to read more because it is foreshadowing Hans' death, but doesn't give away any details as to how he dies.
It is very interesting how the book personifies death in order to tell the story. It is definetly a perspective that you do not think of a typical book being told in. I think by using this rhetorical device, it forces the reader to keep reading because they don't know how something will happen but they do know the when. I would definitely be interested in reading this book one day!
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