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!!!

At first the narrators accent distracted me but very quickly I loved it; it added so much to the story experience. I even caught myself mimicking it in my head. The story line is easy to follow and so gripping - I was sorry it ended! Despite the heavy nature of the story - I felt uplifted at it’s conclusion.

Oh my heart

The tears. We rarely think of what Hitler did to his own people and opposition. It is terrible to think a crazy person could cause all this these terrible events. It cannot happen again. The heroine will live with me forever and precious Rudy, the brilliant Max and Mumma and Daddy. The mayor and Ilsa. Look for the helpers.

Rare

The last lines are ever true. A most rare experience. Recommended for those who can endure real life and triumph over trauma.

Love Love Love

This book made me laugh, cry, and question human nature and death in a way I had not previously done. The characters are beautiful, strong, fragile and mesmerizing all at once. A different view of WWII and Nazi Germany, a story of loss, gain, missed opportunities, regrets, Acts of courage, moments of despair, torture, death, and survival. ”The Word Shaker” and ”The Book Theif” will remain with me

excellent book and excellent strong voice

This was an awesome book and an awesome audio tape done by that the guy

Slow moving, but...

A long slow moving book. At one point I decided to stop, but I had gotten so involved in the characters I HAD to continue.
It has left a mark in my memory. A book I will remember.
Slow moving because it is almost a day to day account, but that is how you get so involved. You become part of their lives.
Excellent narrator.

One of the best books I have ever read

I could read this book several times, and each time love it just as much. I "love and hate it's words"

Amazing

I was required to read this book for school. I absolutely loved it. The end made me cry. I would definitely recommend it.

hauntingly beautiful

This story began very strangely, and I thought I might not make it through. But I am so glad I stuck with it. It is such a hauntingly beautiful and sad story and told in such a unique way, I think I shall never encounter something like it again, and certainly will never forget it.

This was unexpected and very good.

So yeah, it gets emotional. The way the author describes things is so thick and rich, with this voice it's like listening to chocolate and charcoal.

This is a different kind of storytelling from a very familiar setting. We see the life of your average, non-Nazi Germans around the events of World War ll, from the perspective of death, although at times its easy to forget he's narrating.

Great read. Highly recommended.