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)

Surprised by some of these reviews!

I must say that I am surprised that some people are not able to understand and make heads or tales of the book. I have used the introductory chapter with my patients who have brain injury and stroke so that they can use their listening and deductive reasoning skills to decide "who" the narrator is and what they anticipate the book will be about. They all seem to "get it". I believe that perhaps people who are having difficulty trying to understand the book, maybe are trying it at a time when they cannot give it their full attention. I personally thought the book (which I also read on an e-reader), was an exceptional story. So well written, and I personally loved the uniqueness of prose. I think Mark Zusak could have gone overboard and missed the mark, but for me, that mark was RIGHT ON. The narrator was phenomenal!!!! I was so glad that I listened to this on audiobook and not just read it. I would have missed the humor that the narrator has in parts. The relationship between characters in the story was wonderful and so touching. I cried and I laughed and I cried and I laughed and I feel like I got every penny and more out of this book. Everyone I have recommended it to has felt the same special place in their heart for this book. This book has moved up to top 3 of my all time favorite novels. Bravo!

one of the best books

What did you love best about The Book Thief?

the simple way it is written

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

stealing the applesl

Have you listened to any of Allan Corduner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no wish i had

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

a simple life

Any additional comments?

just loved this story and allan corduner made it great!!!!!

Something I've Never Done Before

What did you love best about The Book Thief?

The relationship between Papa and Liesl was so wonderful right from the start.

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

When Rudy finally got his kiss.

Have you listened to any of Allan Corduner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't listened to any books read by Allen Corduner. He is not the best narrator I've heard, but he certainly is within the top 10.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were so many, but the ending was particularly poignant.

Any additional comments?

When I finished The Book Thief, I did something I never do: I started to read it all over again. The gentle and sometimes kind narration by Death is such a big factor in the wondrousness of the book. Liesl's story could not have been told as well by any other character. Yes, this is another World War II book, but in this one, the war is mostly a backdrop to the daily lives of the German poor and the Jewish among them.

loved!

amazing story, everyone should read this! a true classic about friendship and love and war.

Audio better than the book

Audio version was so much better than the book. The same but better. Why? The narrators. Both Allan Corduner and the character in the book that we come to know as death. He has a wonderful voice that brings a wonderful story to life. From the beginning, listening to the character describing the scenes, pulls you inside the story. Countless books, both fiction and nonfiction, have been written on WWII. The unique perspective shown in The Book Thief makes it stand out among the rest. Markus Zusak is truly brilliant in both character development and story. Definitely a must read! Better yet, a must listen!

Great book, great voice

This book actually made me cry. Great story teller. Great author. Great story development. The subject is about war but it is very bearable (It s like a fable). Thank you

Powerful & tender

Would you listen to The Book Thief again? Why?

I would listen to the book again. I enjoyed the story and the narrators voice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Leisel

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

His voice was perfect and the inflection as well.

Any additional comments?

I found it a very touching story and a strong reminder of how the world can change in an instant.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Book Thief to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I will buy it now that I've listened to the story. Allan Corduner is one of my favorite narrators and I now look for books that he's narrated. The story is absolutely fantastic! It's written from a very different perspective than we're used to and the perseverance of the main characters is admirable.

What did you like best about this story?

The perspective of the "Grim Reaper".

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

Allan Corduner has a smooth, velvety voice that brings the characters to life. he doesn't use high pitch squeals to portray little kids' voices that grate on your nerves. He's excellent at different accents.

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

That's a toss up between the "Grim Reaper" and Liesel.

Any additional comments?

Markus Zusak's writing is at times poetic and lyrical. There's one place where he's talking about what your eyes would say if they could tell the story of what they're seeing. I love his writing style.

A peer into the souls of mankind.

Loved it! Beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. Heartwarming! I could relate to the character's feelings.

Will stay with me for quite some time...

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

Absolutely - and already have.

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

Too many to narrow down and favorites would be spoiler alerts. Her clinging to the front gate in the beginning is one. The development of her relationship with her new father another.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

Another favorite narrator of mine. His accent was perfection.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could have.

Any additional comments?

I had this sitting in my Audible library for quite a while and it's only by accident that I listened to it. I had downloaded another book to listen to and it was awful from the beginning. I looked for another one to quickly download as I was walking out the door. So thankful that it was The Book Thief. Loved, loved, loved this book.