Activity Numéro Three — my initial response to the novel

I think that the book will end as the war does. A lot of well written books based around the timelines of real events follow the same structure: the books begin when the event begins, and ends when it ends. I think the main resolution of the book is that war will end on the Jews and Rudy and Liesel end up together (cross your fingers!!). I know it's wishful thinking, but I just want a book that has an excessively happy ending!! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?! But I digress: this book is actually nicely painful, it makes you feel just sad enough to enjoy it but not sad enough to stop reading. Although it hurts me to voice it, I think Rudy will go to war and die. Sob. I also think Papa will get called in but he will return sans a limb or two. I think Isla Herman and Rosa Hubermann will become good friends, and I think Death will come for them all when they hit a ripe old age and can tell their great grandchildren about their Jewish buddy Max, who incidentally WILL NOT DIE, and shall also live to a ripe old age. I am actually not expecting any of that to happen, except maybe the Liesel/Rudy pairing. I'm hoping for it all though!