Rudy and Liesel

[Carolyn]

How do you think Liesel sees Rudy? Is he like a brother to her or just a friend. Is Rudy more than just a friend to Liesel and she just won't admit that she loves him?

[briannaanderson]

Rudy was simply a best friend to Liesel, even like a brother. They know the best parts about each other. They get into trouble together, and get out of it. She does love him, but in a brother and sister sort of way. She cares for him. She lost her brother and Rudy fills the void of both a brother and a best friend that she didn't have.

[millaberemski]

Rudy and Liesel became very close throughout the novel. They were best friends and they loved each other like they were siblings, and Liesel didn't want to change that, at least at the beginning. I think that Liesel slowly started growing feelings for Rudy. I was almost inevitable. They did everything together, like stealing and playing soccer. If either of them had some sort of problem, they would go to the other one for help. It was the perfect friendship. Rudy wanted more from the beginning, as we know. But, Liesel was hesitant. She only wanted to be friends with him. All that changed for her during the end of the novel, as she started growing different feelings for him. She started wanting more. That feeling came when they were at Rudy's father's shop getting Rudy a suit for Christmas.

"On the floor, Rudy laughed. Then he closed his eyes, clenching them hard. Liesel rushed over. She crouched above him. Kiss him, Liesel, kiss him. 'Are you all right, Rudy? Rudy?'" (Zusak 455)

[sophieborah]

Throughout the novel, Rudy and Liesel grew closer together during the harsh times. At first, they were simply best friends but obviously Rudy developed feelings for Liesel that she did not express back. Liesel did not want to jeopardize their strong friendship with the dangers of an relationship so she did not allow herself to admit to Rudy and herself that she loved him.

[Tuli Freeman]

Rudy always teased Liesel, asking for kisses and what not. In the beginning, it was just childish games. But as they grew older, I think their feelings for each other developed, first into a really strong friendship, and then into love. Rudy was the first to develop these feelings, but while Liesel was not far behind, she was hesitant to act on them. Because of this, she never got to tell him how she felt, or show him rather, as she did in the end of the book. That part is kinda like a more cruel version of snow white, where the dead don't wake from the kiss.

[emilia]

As Rudy and Liesel's relationship developed throughout the book, you can see that Liesel starts to feel affectionate towards Rudy in a romantic way rather than an amiable way. Their friendship mainly just started as two best friends that playfully joked around with each other but as the book continues, they seem to slowly fall in love. Although it seemed as though Leisel did not want to develope those sentimental emotions towards Rudy, not wanting to put their freindship at stake, she couldn't help but feel a loving emotion that she couldn't control.