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 Narrator was a great as Death

Where does The Book Thief rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I actually had the book and began to read it. Curiosity made me click the little round button on Audilble under the cover of the Book Thief. Well, When I heard Allan Corduner's voice, I said that is the perect voice for death and purchased the book right then and began to listen. His voice took me on a journey with death and Lisle. One that will haunt me for a long time. Beautifully written with such insight. This should be on a book list for Middle Schools and High Schools.

What did you like best about this story?

The Narrator

Very slow start but great story

Where does The Book Thief rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book did not grab me at first, but I stuck with it and ended up enjoying the story.

delicious

right from the start I was overwhelmed by the author's style... the pairing of color and emotion was nothing short of a delicious treat for my ears. the narrator's voice is a perfect pairing... like chocolate with a rich red wine. the story is captivating and i especially love the persona of the "spirit" relaying the story. i know I will re-listen for years to come and add a hard copy to my library (reserved for only a select few).

Fantastic book, enchantingly read!

Any additional comments?

This book is written with the combination of wonderfully unique narration and dialogue that is alternately comic and poignant. A new take on the story of many of the those who lived through the horrors of the Third Reich. Enriching characters to whom one becomes attached whole-heartedly, and well described settings, make this a "must listen". If a book can be described as both heartbreaking and uplifting, this is it. Starts a bit slow, but do not give up on this book!

Fabulous book

Readier/Actor made the book come alive. language was exquisite and story was riveting and moving.

The beauty of the book thief

Some of the best descriptions! The descriptions tell the story in a way that is brilliant and beautiful. Although this book is sad it is also real and shows love and beauty. How the view point of death is told is incredible and makes people think of what it is like to die. How death itself doesn't like taking people but has no other choice. Very well written and the narrator is one of my favourites!

Fantastic book and narrator!

This was such a wonderful story. I found myself there along with the characters. And the narrator was absolutely fantastic. I would catch myself giggling at so many comments the characters would say. He was perfect for this book and my first as well.

So touching!

This is the first audio book I have ever listened to and now I'm hooked!

OUTSTANDING!!!

From beginning to end, intriguing, adventurous, and thought provoking. Made me cry, get angry, laugh...and I also learned a little German.

Beautiful and Tragic

While listening to this story I felt like a kite. At one moment soaring and the next hurled to the ground.

I recently went to Munich and I even visited Dachau concentration camp. I had no idea what this story was about when I started to listen to it and so it was with much surprise that I felt a little more connected to the story since I had only recently immersed myself in Nazi Germany history. This story is historical fiction painting a detailed look at the Holocaust from a German citizen's point of view.

This book is also very well written. The words are powerful leaving imprints on your brain sometimes with the pinpoint of a needle as with a tattoo and other times with a hot branding iron. Either way they are unforgettable.

I have not seen the movie but I can't imagine that it can compare. Allan Corduner should win an award for his performance. He brought each character to life and I think the book was made infinitely more enjoyable because of his narration.

I highly recommend this book.