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The Book Thief  By  cover art

The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak
Narrated by: Allan Corduner
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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)

Featured Article: 25+ Quotes About the Power of Kindness


Kindness is the quality of being considerate, compassionate, generous, gentle, and caring towards others without expecting anything in return. Often described as a virtue, kindness is also a strength—in fact, it may be one of humanity's greatest superpowers. Whenever you need a little encouragement or gentle reminder, turn to these quotes from authors who understand the power of kindness and express it quite remarkably.

What listeners say about The Book Thief

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    24,716
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Performance
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Rough start but I became spellbound.

I enjoyed the unique approach to this story, once I understood it. I became hooked.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story and Great Performance

Marcus Zusak has written a tremendous story in The Book Thief. His words are like a picture of the story rather than the telling of it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best.

I'm so sorry this book ended. Loved everything about it. The narrator was fabulous. Heartbreaking in parts, laugh out loud funny in others.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting read

Enjoyed story. Timeline bounces back and forth... so pay attention. My daughter enjoyed this as well.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read!

Still in tears. This is a most beautifully written and performed story I've heard in a very long time. I will be rereading/listening to The Book Thief again!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely!

When I first started this book I was undecided about it.. Death as a narrator was odd to me.. However, as I continued to listen, I was entranced and couldn't wait for the next opportunity to listen to the book. Housework has never proceeded so willingly!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

This is the best story that I've read or listened to in a long time. Seriously. This is a classic.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Devastatingly Well Done

I say this book is devastatingly well done, because after I finished reading I felt emotionally wrung out! It is so well written and the characters are so well fleshed out that it makes you ache for them whenever they hurt. Even so, I am still so glad I read it. Sometimes I hesitate to read books that I think will leave me so drained, but this one makes me feel so much richer for having known these characters and their story!
The narrator Allan Corduner is EXCEPTIONAL at forming each individual character and bringing them distinctly to life! I would give him a 10 star rating if I could!!!
If after reading the book description and the reviews, you find that you are interested but still undecided as I was....go ahead and read it! It is well worth every minute!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Such a good book

The book itself was wonderful. Sad, but so beautiful. The narration was PERFECT. Loved everything about this.

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  • LJ
  • 07-21-16

A great book!

While the movie it fairly good, this is another of the styles of books better than the movie, mainly because it has all sorts of hidden gems.

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