The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak

Narrated by: Allan Corduner

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Don’t miss Bridge of Clay, Markus Zusak’s first novel since The Book Thief.

The extraordinary number-one New York Times best seller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

When Death has a story to tell, you listen. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist - books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

“The kind of book that can be life-changing.” (The New York Times)

“Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.” (USA Today)

©2006 Markus Zusak (P)2006 Random House Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

• Book Sense Book of the Year Award, Children's Literature, 2007

"The astonishing characters, drawn without sentimentality, will grab readers." (Booklist)
"Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of sophisticated teen and adult readers....An extraordinary narrative." (School Library Journal)
"The Book Thief will appeal both to sophisticated teens and adults with its engaging characters and heartbreaking story." (Bookmarks Magazine)

The Best Book I've Read in Years!!!

My 16 year old was reading this for English class. I pick it up off his floor while cleaning his room, I opened it and started reading, then went straight to Audible to download it. I don't think that I have ever been so touched by a story or a narrator's voice. This book is brilliantly written, the story remarkably engaging, and a cast of characters that imprints your heart, forever. The tale is heartbreaking, but at the same time gives you hope for the human spirit, as "Death" tells the story.The narrator's voice is mesmerizing, imaginative and memorable. I know this book will stay with me forever. Allan Corduner's narration is the best on Audible and maybe of all time! You will want to buy the book and keep it in your library; you may also want to donate a copy to your local high school!

The Book Thief

One of the best read, in a long, long time.

HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL!

This is the story of a young girl placed in a foster home on Himmel (Heaven) Street, Munich, Germany, just before WW2. Although they are poor and the foster mother swears like a heathen, it is a place of love in the midst of ignorance. I will not tell you who the story teller is but you will be surprised - at least I was. You will cry, you will laugh, but most of all you will be buoyed by the courage of the human spirit! Listen to this story. You will not be disappointed.

Loved this story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended it to several friends!

What other book might you compare The Book Thief to and why?

I sort of compare it to the Guernsey Potato Peel Pie Literary Society...i suppose because of wartime scene. But they both had wonderful, colorful characters..rich descriptions, awful realities and the bits of beauty that humanity finds ...even in awful realities. Very good read.

If you could take any character from The Book Thief out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The mother. She is so crusty on the outside but really so soft inside, and so strong. She has many layers.

Like watching a movie!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a truly great book. I was a little concerned when I saw it had won awards for "young readers." But it is a wonderful book for any age. It is vastly entertaining, but also a work of art. The reader, Allan Corduner, should win every award available. He is an amazing performer. It was like watching a movie.

Any additional comments?

If you're like me, and enjoying reading a book as well as listening to one, THIS is one you absolutely should listen to.

Hauntingly Beautiful!

I have listened to 100s of books on Audible & The Book Thief has to be ranked in the top 10. This story will both haunt you & make you pause to reflect on the meaning of life - both the characters and your own, long after you finish it. However, this book is not depressing. The writing is so full of the perfect balance of humor & pathos that I couldn't help smile while silently weeping over the despair of the character's lives during the plot so well that it is very difficult to let go of this story. I keep re-listening to different passages - perhaps hoping that I can change, or at the least, comfort the characters amidst the despair their lives. The story is beautifully & perfectly narrated by Allan Corduner.

So as not to ruin the story, the author has developed the narrator's character so well that you will find that you love this character & perhaps will rethink how you feel about life long after you finish the book.

Truly marvelous

The unrelenting beauty and horror of war and humanity - its all here in this masterpiece of a book. I can't describe the fullness I feel in my heart on finishing this story. I have listened to hundreds of books - and this one is the best of them all.

One of my top reads ever!

If you could sum up The Book Thief in three words, what would they be?

Human Suffering Love

What did you like best about this story?

I had never read a WWII novel from the aspect of what German Families experienced.

What does Allan Corduner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Allan has the ability to make your "feel" what you are reading. He takes you to the brink of tragedy and pulls you back!

Who was the most memorable character of The Book Thief and why?

It is so hard to choose as all of the characters are mesmerizing. I guess I would have to say Ma Ma. She was such a complex character who kept her true humanity hidden just below the surface.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. I thought the parallels to our current political climate was chilling. So much name calling going on - placing labels on people and demanding that we all conform to one groups religious beliefs. Dangerous thinking. I think this should be required reading in High Schools.

Unbeatable

It's been difficult to find another novel that comes close to the quality of "The Book Thief". I listened to it several months ago and as yet, nothing has captured my attention or my heart as much as the Liesel's tale...... except the humorous yet sensitive adventures of Ed Kennedy in "I Am the Messenger"! Read both! They are excellent!

Stunningly incredible

I feel compelled to say that this is my favorite Audiobook of all time, and I've been listen/reading since 1992! The reader is superb for this book, drawing you in to each of the characters repeatedly and rollickingly, though the story itself is a somber one. Yes, it's another holocaust story, but you'll be startled by the story line. You'll be amazed at the reader's interpretation of the antagonist (at least I THINK he's the antagonist!). You are never sure where the story is going to go, though you might think it's predictable---it isn't. A fabulous read---I've recommended it to everyone I know, and have listened to it twice myself.