“Every coin has two sides, but the truth lies in between.”
War is not only a frequently explored theme in Uzbek literature but also in world literature. Among all the books I have read so far, the ones that have left the deepest mark on my heart, inspired me to reread them, and encouraged me to share their stories with others are those about wartime and the people who lived through it. The characters in these stories are unique—their fates, dreams, and inner struggles are entirely different from those in ordinary narratives. One such novel is The Book Thief, written by renowned Australian author Markus Zusak. The very title of the book immediately captures the reader’s attention. This novel portrays life in Nazi Germany during World War II, depicting the country’s political and social conditions through the story of a young girl named Liesel.
Before reading this book, I had never truly considered the lives of Germans during the war—people from the very nation that instigated World War II and brought immense tragedy upon the world. However, The Book Thief revealed that Germans, like other nations, also endured hardships. It showed that ordinary people longed for peace, that they lived through extreme difficulties, and that they sometimes had only one bowl of pea soup a week. The exposition of the novel begins with Liesel Meminger, the main protagonist, being sent to live with a foster family by her mother. On the way, her younger brother dies, and at his burial, she steals her first book from the cemetery. The novel’s composition is masterfully structured, with a seamless sequence of events that keeps the reader emotionally engaged until the very end. The plot revolves around Liesel’s life with her foster family, her father Hans Hubermann teaching her to read, her growing passion for books leading her to steal more, and the hidden Jewish man living in their basement. The story ultimately culminates in a heartbreaking conclusion.
What is the turning point of the novel? One could argue that it is the moment when Liesel’s family decides to shelter a Jewish man, risking their own lives in Nazi Germany. And the resolution? Death. At the end of the novel, Liesel loses her entire family and closest friends. Death takes away her unfinished story. The most emotionally intense moment—the climax—occurs during the bombing that kills Liesel’s family. Interestingly, the novel is narrated from the perspective of Death itself, which adds a unique and haunting depth to the story.
So, what does this remarkable novel teach us? The Book Thief is not just about war. It delves into themes of racial and religious discrimination, the devastating consequences of war and conflict, and the profound impact of books on human life. Above all, it teaches us that even in the darkest times, friendship, kindness, and compassion are the greatest courage.
Ochildiyeva Shahnoza
Journalism and Mass Communications University of Uzbekistan
Faculty of International Relations and Social Humanities, 1st-year student
“Isn’t that your sister?” Harry said to Ben as they left school on a warm May afternoon.
“What,” Ben said. “Where?”
“Over there,” Harry said, pointing toward a green VW Bug. Emma was sitting behind the wheel, waving at the boys. “Did you know she was coming?”
“Why is she here?” Ben said, as they wove their way through clusters of junior high students released for the day.
“Hey guys,” Emma said as they approached.
“What are you doing here?” Ben asked.
“Are you hungry?” Emma said.
“I could eat,” Harry said.
Emma laughed. “I’m sure you could. But if it’s okay with you, I need some time with my little bro.”
“That’s cool,” Harry said. “I have a lot of homework.”
Emma pushed open the passenger door. “Get in. I’m starving. Let’s go to the Empress.” She reached into the glove compartment and removed a cassette, which she handed to Ben. “That’s for you. I made it last night.”
Ben read the names of the songs. “Fire and Rain, Gimme Shelter, Bird on the Wire,Universal Soldier. Cool. Can’t wait to listen.’
“You’re going to love Bird on the Wire.”
“What are you doing here?” Ben asked.
“I wanted to see you.” Emma turned up 68th Street toward Queens Boulevard. “There’s a B side too.”
“Aren’t you in school?” Ben asked.
“I have a break before finals.”
“Do mom and dad know you’re coming?”
“I’m not coming home. I just came to see you.”
“Cool. Should I be worried?”
“You worry too much.”
“Maybe. But it’s a five-hour drive. Each way.”
Inside the Empress, they settled into a booth, and Emma ordered a grilled cheese and a slice of blueberry pie. Ben ordered the same.
“You don’t seem happy to see me,” Emma said.
“I am happy to see you.” Ben took a sip of soda. “I just wasn’t expecting you.”
“It’s a surprise. That’s how surprises work.”
“Is that the only reason?” Ben asked
“How’s school?”
Ben shrugged. “Fine.”
“Junior high is the worst. High school sucks too. But you will love college.”
“Do you?”
“I do. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made are all interesting and full of ideas and goals. I like my classes. I just don’t know what I’m doing there. But you’ll know what you want to do. You love math. That’ll make a difference.”
“Everyone says that to me. I’m good at math, and it comes easy. But what if I want to do something else?”
“Then you’ll do something else.”
The waitress topped off Emma’s coffee. Ben watched as Emma poured and stirred the cream. He liked the sound of the spoon against the porcelain. He noticed that Emma’s pink nails were jagged and uneven. She put down her spoon and brought the cup to her lips.
“I’m not quitting,” she finally said. “Quitting is a bad habit that’s hard to break. That’s not what’s going on.”
“What is going on?” Ben said.
“If something is not good for you, then you need to leave it behind and find something else. I don’t have any clue what I’m doing, or what I want to do. And I’m lucky. I don’t have to worry about the draft if I quit.”
“Sounds like you’re quitting.”
“I’ll finish the semester and then figure it out. I need to find a purpose for being there. For my life. And I haven’t found it.”
“Yet,” Ben said.
“Yet,” Emma said. “Let’s go to the pond.”
Emma drove through the neighborhood to Flushing Meadow where they found a bench.
“Remember when dad took us here so he could teach you how to ride a two-wheeler?”
“Not really,” Ben said.
“You were only three,” Emma said. “It came so easy to you.”
“That means you were nine. That’s why you remember. I do remember the time you talked me into riding our bikes to Central Park. Down Queens Boulevard. Across the 59th St. Bridge. It was awesome.”
“That was such a fun day,” Emma said.
They sat together in the park, looking out toward the pond. A breeze sent ripples across the water. Ben took the tape out of his pocket.
“The B-side is just as good,” he said, looking up. “I can’t believe you made a mix tape without a Dylan song. Might be a first.”
“I think you’re right. I wanted to add one from his new album, Nashville Skyline, but I need to listen to it more. Have you heard it?”
“They play a few cuts on the radio. I like the one with Johnny Cash.”
Emma leaned back, staring at the sky and said. “I’ll go back for now.”
“What?”
“I’ll ace my finals,” Emma said. “Maybe I’ll go to law school and work pro bono for draft evaders and death row inmates.”
Ben looked at her. “Would that make you happy?”
“Happiness is fleeting. Purpose isn’t,” Emma said. “Maybe I’ll go live in Paris and be a writer like Baldwin.”
“Is he a friend of yours?”
“I wish,” she said. “He’s a great writer. You should read him. I’ll get you one of his books. Did you finish, On The Road?”
“Twice. I love it.”
“I’ll bring you The Fire Next Time, when I come back.”
“How would I see you, if you go to Paris?” Ben said.
“You should come back to school with me. Yes. That’s what you should do. We’d have so much fun.”
“You do realize I have school,” Ben said. “And we’d have to tell mom and dad. And don’t you have finals to study for?”
“I know. I know. I just thought it would be fun.”
“It would be fun,” Ben said.
Emma sighed and stretched her arms above her head. “I should take you home.”
As they walked back to the car, Emma jingled her keys. Ben watched her, memorizing the way she moved, the way her shoulders didn’t sway, as if she was holding onto something heavy, and didn’t want to let go.
Elan Barnehama has published two novels: Escape Route and Finding Bluefield. His flash fiction collection is forthcoming in January 2026 from Poets Wear Prada. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including ParisLitUp, Synchronized Chaos, 10×10 Flash Fiction, Boog City, Jewish Fiction, Drunk Monkeys, Rough Cut Press, Boston Accent, Red Fez, Syncopation Lit, HuffPost, public radio, and more. Elan served as the flash fiction editor at ForthMagazineLA, a radio news reporter, and was a mediocre short-order cook.
The queen loved the spring from childhood. The rustling of the leaves, the vibration of the roses, was astonishing to her. The spring seemed to bring new life, new hopes, and dreams.
But then years passed … The life of the princess has changed. She married, took on daily worries, responsibilities, moved away from childhood. Now she did not notice the spring coming. There was no time to observe the raindrops from the window. Every day, the day of worries would pass the tremors, and it seemed to missing something in her heart.
One day when she was walking along the road, she felt that the soft spring was beating her breeze. She stopped for a moment. The trees were overwhelmed by gusts, moving the birds and the air. Her heart remembered those pure sensations a few years ago.
In no hurry, the princess went to the most loved garden in her childhood. She sat there and first took time for herself. The leaves were rich and the smell of flowers filled the air. The princess felt as if she had lost herself and found herself again.
That day she realized: Life is not just a bunch of worries. Sometimes you have to stop and feel spring. Because every season is the priceless gift of life, every moment.
Bekmirzayeva Aziza Rustam daughter was born on May 10, 2005 in Khatirchi district of Navoi region. It is the 2nd year student of the Samarkand Institute of Agroinovations and Research, which is interested in science and creativity. Continues to study the way to get to education and personal development and to be a leading specialist in their field. To date, they have more than 10 certificates and are working in various fields.
