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)

Amazing Finish

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

I can't say enough good things about this book. I love the narrator. They could not have found a better match, and I'd love to hear him narrate something else as well. The voice matches the book, the voices of the characters, everything. Fantastic. It kept me mesmerized, and if I found myself zone out focusing on the traffic around me, I had to back the book up once or twice to not miss a word.

The writer's eloquence is represented so well here in this story. Death's dance with Liezel and the words he used to decorate such a warming, heartbreakingly, delicious story is incredible.

What did you like best about this story?

I love Liezel's fun relationship with her best friend/ boyfriend.

What does Allan Corduner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices he assigns each character all play a magical part in finding yourself on Hemmel Street with them all. And I would destroy the German words throughout.

Now in my top 3 favorite books ever!

I truly enjoyed Death's perspective on the events of WWII Germany. The narrator's reading of this story brought it to life - upping the enjoyment level.

The Book Thief

If you could sum up The Book Thief in three words, what would they be?

emotional, touching, enlightning

Who was your favorite character and why?

Leisel

What does Allan Corduner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was able to make each character come alive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The ending, although I suspected some sadness, definitely made me cry.

Magical word artist

The story captures one from the start but there is this other level in the work. The words are crafted with color and texture. The similes blossom from the page asking for a pause if not a rewind.
If anyone told me that I would see death as a caring entity with an interest in life and those who live it as well as a tenderness and joy, I'd have denied the possibility. Yet Death was one of my favorite characters.
This is a book of value and one to listen to again and then to read on paper.

Whoa

I don't know where to begin really. I think this is around the 200th book I've listened to and I can't say for certain that I've found anything with as much balance. I loved this book. I think I loved everything about this book.

A fantastic story of family love

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

Absolutely! I already have recommended this story to my beautiful and accomplished veracious reading Grandmother.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The boy with the straw colored hair...and the man who plays the accordion...the ornery and foul mouthed pea soup cooker...the artist in the basement...the determined young girl with a need to steal books...the public official's wife who misses her son...

Which scene was your favorite?

When the determined young reader intentionally hurts herself to be forced to be excused from a game of soccer to warn the family and the artist in the basement that the house was to be searched...selfless and honorable.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes I cried...Yes i smiled to myself as I drove to work...

Great Story

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

I read a couple of the reviews on this book so I downloaded it. Was totally glad I did. and then I couldnt wait for the movie to come out 2 weeks later.
Both were great.

Magnificent!

I had to read this book for class, but if I was informed about this book beforehand, I would have read it as soon as I could.
The narrator did a wonderful job with each of the characters voices and verbal descriptions of their personalities and the author was phenomenal at writing this novel. Very well put together; 10/10 would recommend.

Eloquence in words and in the telling

If you could sum up The Book Thief in three words, what would they be?

War's innocent details

What did you like best about this story?

The Story being told from Death's perspective, along with it's self description. The authors ability to have Death tell the story sans emotion while making the reader find understanding and deep emotional connection to all the characters was outstanding.

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

Hans Huberman. Allan Corduner was really Hans in another life, right?

Who was the most memorable character of The Book Thief and why?

For me it would be the Mother who gave up Lizzel and her brother in hopes of saving them, only to have to bury her son before reaching her destination. What utter heartbreak must have followed her to her grave.

Any additional comments?

This is on my list for one of the best works I've read in my life.

Beautiful story, beautifully read.

Would you listen to The Book Thief again? Why?

Yes -- it was so well read, the characters really came alive.

What did you like best about this story?

The character development, and the relationships between the characters.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

His ability to portray so many different characters so that they all stood apart from each other.

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

Death. He was actually a very sympathetic, thoughtful and gentle character; quite misunderstood by the general public!

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended audiobook.