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)

Loved it loved it and cried (of course)

The best books make me cry, and this one was a good one. The deep friendships and fierce love depicted in this book made me think differently about life. I also loved the celebration of books and words.

Loved this Audibles Book

One of my favorites, the narrator was excellent. I truly did not want the book to end.

Outstanding story

Very well written, the story will both touch your heart and…. Slowly rip it out…

Book Thief

This book isn’t what I thought it would be.. but it was BETTER. It did shatter my heart, but it was beautifully written and beautifully narrated. Highly recommend

A must read

This book has it all, and the narration is perfection. It’s a true must read.

Very nicely done

This was a great story and the narrator moved smoothly between characters and scenes and time

So good

Loved the entire package! The story, the characters, the narration.. thank you! I will read this again and again! The writing is beautiful!

Unique perspective told in a beautiful way

I started this book wondering how I’d feel about this unique perspective of the war; and when it was over felt like all the layers and stories told were truly touching. The connection to history while offering another vantage point can be emotional at times. This is one of those books that will definitely sit with you, especially the last few lines. Highly recommend.

Learn a lot in this painful, fun, endearing story!

I found this a wonderful story about a girl and all that she was able to accomplish through living her life and growing up during WWII... The book is indeed filled with history, and the narration by the Angel of Death (one of many names) was an amazing perspective. I gained a new view of WWII Germany from this story.

Wonderful Story and Narration

I enjoyed this book very much. The perspective of WW2 inside Germany was extremely interesting and educational. Highly recommend!