Wow! This was such an interesting opening to a book. I am completely taken already. The idea of Death narrating this story captivates me. I think it is such an interesting approach to depict Death as a character that views what he does as a job..."In my line of work...".
I also find the format very interesting. These short, factual bursts of information that are coming straight from Death..."Here is a small fact. You are going to die." This is an interesting approach for an author. It breaks the reading up in a way that holds my attention. It is like shifting gears.
It looks like colors will play a large role in the book. Death seems to relate everything back to a specific color. I think the part where he points out the colors of the swastika is definitely some foreshadowing of the importance that Nazi Germany will play in this book.
I also notice that Zusak utilizes so many examples of personification in this section. "...globe dressed in snow...", "Trees wore blankets of snow.'
My favorite line so far is, "Perhaps ten meters to my left, the pale, empty-stomached girl was standing, frost stricken." Beautiful! Sad! So powerful!
I think I am really going to enjoy this book.
