We started reading the Book Thief in class, and we have been asked to read until page 80 (end of part one). So far we have discovered that the narrator is, in fact, death HIMself. I think it is very interesting to read a book from this perspective, as he likes to interrupt and give his opinion and insight into the situation. I think that Death is a trustworthy narrator to this novel because he is not an actual character in the story, so he does not have a bias. He says that he feels a certain connection with the book thief; he normally doesn't like to notice the so called 'survivors', but he stopped and watched the book thief, (Liesel Meminger) three times. The last time he saw her was after a bomb attack. Death says (on page 13) that he wanted to kneel next to the girl and reassure her. He is basing the story on what is written in the book thief's book, and from fact about the time she lived. I like having Death as the narrator because he never interferes with the plot (so far) and he just stumbles across this story, just doing his job. Death's at and death seem more innocent and artistic than given credit for.
*** A REASSURING ANNOUNCEMENT ***
Please, be calm, despite that previous threat.
I am all bluster-
I am not violent.
I am not malicious.
I am a result.
-Death, The Book Thief (pg. 6)