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)

One of best books I have ever read

Beautifully written. He is a master story teller and word craftsman. Listened to it twice

Breathtaking!

A beautifully written story, with incredible description and “soul”.
The narrator was a perfect fit!
I will listen to this again and again!

Absolutely phenomenal

Let me start this review by saying that I am a shameless book snob. I spent years reading every classic I could get my hands on, and had yet to find a contemporary writer who could hold a candle to the likes of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, or Thomas Hardy; I'd almost given up searching, and was resigned to reading the same 100 books for the rest of my life. That being said, The Book Thief was recommended to me via Audible after I took a leap of faith and read All the Light We Cannot See, and The Nightingale (both of which were set during WWII). While those books were interesting and well-written, they simply cannot compare to The Book Thief--no book can, as far as I'm concerned. I can honestly say that it is the best book I've ever read, and I feel a hole
in my heart, having finished it. The writing was first class, the perspective was unique, the story was captivating, and Allan Corduner's narration was flawless. I simply cannot say enough about the impact this book has had on me, and I thank Markus Zusak for having created it. What a gift to the literary world it has been!

Engaging story and characters

What did you love best about The Book Thief?

The characters were deeply developed and the story line was engaging. It was an informative and rich work of historical fiction.

What other book might you compare The Book Thief to and why?

It was not similar to but was as engaging as The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

Which character – as performed by Allan Corduner – was your favorite?

The title character.

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

Moments such as the softening of the mother, the change in the mayor's wife, the devotion of the father – all were moving moments. It was particularly emotional when the book thief again lost her family.

One of the best books on Audible

After reading all the reviews on this book, my expectations were high. You often wonder, will the book live up to them? This book exceeded all expectations. The narration is spot on, the characters so very endearing. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with this book and will listen to it many more times.

There are an awful lot of very good books on Audible, but for me, The Book Thief stands at the head of the crowd. It ranks neck in neck with 11-22-63 as the best of the best on Audible.

Listen to this book. You won't be dissapointed.

6 stars

Loved loved loved everything about this. The book itself was phenomenal and the narration couldn't have been better

Poignant and funny

As an English teacher and writer, it's hard to come across stories that feel like they have true creativity and originality anymore. The Book Thief has those. It will make you laugh, love, tremble, cry, and laugh again. It will make you think and rethink. I truly have a special place for this book.
The reader is amazing and I think that is what makes the book so good on Audible. He is believable, sets his characters voices apart well, and plays his narrator role spectacularly. This book deserves your attention again and again.

Loved it

A truly great book, a perfect mixture of happiness and sadness, and an excellent glimpse of human nature.

Excellent from beginning

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

This is one of my favorites

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

The way the narrator describes the scenes, I really feel like visualizing them, I haven't see the movie, I don't think it is necessary any more.

Might just be the best audiobook I've listened to

What made the experience of listening to The Book Thief the most enjoyable?

Driving from the East coast to northern Rockies with my 9 year old son - thought the book would be a stretch for him, and in places it was, but it was worth every minute for both of us. Didn't even notice huge stretches of some states, and we're listening to it again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

For me, the father, of course. For my son, Lisle.

Which scene was your favorite?

Max describing the sky during the bombing, although most of the parts where death is speaking are very moving. My mother lived through the the bombing of Dresden, and this book has led me to understand her experience in ways I never thought possible.

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

Yes, but not possible. it's a long book.

Any additional comments?

It is not a children's book - that is unfair to both children and this book. I can't imagine anyone not loving the language of the author and the voice of the reader, who is simply perfect for this perfect story.