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)

This book grabs you.

Something about the way Death narrates this story really grabbed me. The narrator has a pleasant voice and accent throughout the book. Often changing his accent and tone to reflect other people. I loved the way this was done and listened to it in record time.

Amazing! Crying like a child.

This audio book immersed me into the story of the book thief. The audio narrator dynamically performed each role so well, I felt like I knew each character! Amazing, I will definitely listen again!!

A powerful, amazing story

Although this story is difficult to listen to, it will deeply move you. I highly recommend it.

My top audible pick of 2011

Of all the books read over the course of 2011 (and there have been many), this is my top pick. Memorable, haunting, and enchanting. One of my new all-time favorites. Beautiful.

The writing is amazing!

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

Thoughtful, deep, poetic

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Book Thief?

The image of Rudy running around the track as Jesse Owens.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

The depth of his voice. It was perfect for this specific narrator.

If you could rename The Book Thief, what would you call it?

The Orphan's Gift

Any additional comments?

This is my first book review but was so amazed by the writing I just had to give it five-stars. I've saved this and plan to list to it again, from start to finish. Markus Zusak is brilliant.

I had to get past the narrative quirks.

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

Yes, definitely - it's a rich and vibrant story of love and loss, and exquisitely told.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mama!

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

He had a wonderful versatility!

Any additional comments?

Death as the narrator, who warns you constantly about what's about to happen - that, I struggled with. It was very quirky, very strange. And I wasn't sure I enjoyed the constant series of spoilers. But it was a beautiful story.

Beautiful way of telling a story so ugly.

This book is absolutely amazing, and delivers strong in every aspect. It's great and Iwould recommend it.

Beautiful story

Such an achingly beautiful story. I have loved it. It ranks up there, for me, with A Prayer for Owen Meaney, which is my all-time favorite.

Great story line

At first very slow and confusing, but once I got going I couldn't stop listening.
Perfect narrator for the book.

Destroyed and Renewed

This is probably one of the most amazing books I have ever listened to. The story of Liesel and Rudy and mama and papa and Max, and all the people on Himmel Street captivated me. Skillfully narrated by death it was an emotional roller coaster highlighting how the simple interactions of humans are actually the greatest acts of all.