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The Book Thief  By  cover art

The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak
Narrated by: Allan Corduner
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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)

Featured Article: 25+ Quotes About the Power of Kindness


Kindness is the quality of being considerate, compassionate, generous, gentle, and caring towards others without expecting anything in return. Often described as a virtue, kindness is also a strength—in fact, it may be one of humanity's greatest superpowers. Whenever you need a little encouragement or gentle reminder, turn to these quotes from authors who understand the power of kindness and express it quite remarkably.

What listeners say about The Book Thief

Average customer ratings
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Brilliantly narrated

Beautiful, gripping, amazing story. The narration is as masterful as the writing. A great novel

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Magnificent

A beautiful story, beautifully told. It’s sad and sweet and reflective. At times I had to stop listening because it broke my heart. But then I continued, and was so glad I did. I will buy the printed book now because I want to read and re-read this gorgeous, brilliantly-crafted narrative. It went straight to my heart and soul.

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Fabulous

Can’t believe I didn’t listen to this one sooner. So well written and performed! A must listen/read!

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Best book EVER

I can not love this book enough!!! The reading was beyond brilliant. The story, amazing.

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Absolutely Beautiful

The connections this narrator has to this story made it beautiful. I often debate whether or not to physically read the book or go for audio version. I have zero regrets listening to Allan Corduner. He delivered the story with the utmost authenticity that made me feel as though this book was being read to me by my grandfather. I cannot say enough, I loved this.

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Wonderful narrator

Touching story, reaching into my heart and giving me a point of view I simply hadn’t considered

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I love this book

I've read the book 3 times, and listed to it now twice. It's a beautifully written book.

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A unique perspective

A unique perspective of a heart wrenching time. Read it. Listen to it. It’s worth your time

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Wonderful!

I loved this book so much! It is both heart warming and heart breaking. I adore the characters and the narration was perfect.

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BUG: I only wanted to input the star ratings

I have to type at least fifteen words of information to simply input the star ratings for Overall/Performance/Story, I hope this issue is resolved soon as this review is a waste of space and effort.

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