Through all the stories and conversations Liesel and Max have had, I believe that they have learned a lot about each other. Also, they have created stronger bonds with each other, like sister and brother. However, when Max becomes very ill after playing with snow in the basement, their friendship has truly blossomed.
Ever from the beginning, the readers get a sense of hope; they know that Max Vandenburg will not die. Death himself gives us this hope. As he tried to remove Max's soul from his body, he could feel "a resurgence - an immense struggle against [his] weight." This first-hand account of repelling death by Max lets readers know that he didn't starve, hide, or travel all the way to 33 Himmel Street only to die because of playing with snowmen. It was genius for Hans to give Max Mein Kampf (My Struggle)with the house key taped to the inside cover because not only did Max seem inconspicuous, pretending to be a Hitler supporter, when travelling on the train but also he is trying to survive his own struggle: escaping the effects of WWII alive as a Jew. Now, Liesel has to cope with his struggle as well. Instead of being a hopeless Jew stuck inside the Hubermann's house, Max has become one of Liesel's best companions. Seeing him close to the hand of Death, Liesel constantly worries and hopes that Max will survive.
Liesel's true connection with Max appears when she dreams about her nightmare. Instead Liesel's own brother, Werner, dying, Max's face is the one she dreams taking it's last breath on the floor of the train. Apparently, Max has replaced her own brother and seems to be closer to her than the long lost Werner. Although Liesel does realize that she has replaced her brother with a more heart-felt friend, she tries to ignore this replacement since, morally, she believes that flesh and blood relation should always be more than just a friend. Seemingly, her friend is still worth more because she doesn't want him to die like her brother. As Max soundlessly rests on her bed, Liesel still checks on him and reads to him everyday in hope that his soul isn't another one among many Jewish souls on the conveyor belt of Death.
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I also found that Max and Liesel have become very close through Max's snow illness. But what struck me the most was the part you mentioned about Max resisting Death when Death came to collect Max's soul. As I read this, I totally visualized Death arriving at the bedside and almost whispering " It's time". Max must have felt Death's presence, and even in his unconsciousness he resisted with his last ounce of strength. What was amazing to me is that Death could also feel this will to live, and he let Max be. This event is yet another example of Death's human-like feelings, and when Death has human-like feelings we are closer to him.
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