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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
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    24,736
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    5,649
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
    1,489
  • 2 Stars
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Moved me to my core!

The story was beautifully written and the narrator made every piece of it come to life. This will stay with me for a long time.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
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Excellent

I have never read a book from this perspective - the perspective of the "angel of death." I loved it. the writing was intriguing and excellent.

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  • Overall
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One Of the Best Books

This is such a well written paced book. The best character development I have ever read. The author really makes it so you can feel what the character is feeling. I had tears in my eyes though out the ending.

Highly recommend.

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Incredible

The narrator of this beautiful book does an amazing job, making each character come alive. I have listened to this book several times.

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Very good book! A must read book for people who like stories about world war 1&2.

I’d give this book a thousand stars if I could, very good book and a recommendation for people who like book a bout world war.

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I listened to this book twice!

It was that good. If you haven’t read this or listened to it, I would urge you to check it out. The writing is fantastic, and the audible book was amazing!

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it's all in here, beautifully

Death haunts us, and we haunt him. Humanity in all it's horrifying ugliness and it's most glorious vibrance.
Almost as hard to read as it is to put down.

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Beautiful

The story, writing, and narrator were amazing. Poetic in style balanced with humor and horror. Beautiful.

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Bittersweet to the tongue, savory to the stomach, and wholesome to the soul. I can’t wait to consume it again.

This book felt like a soft hand with a firm grasp. Gentle but unapologetic and unflinching in its presence on your shoulder. The story tasted sweet and tart on the tip of your tongue, but hardy and savory once it reached your stomach. I can’t wait to consume it again. Maybe that’s too strange a description, but as accurate as I can describe.

The narrator (both character and voice) was brilliant.

It was as wholesome as a WWll story can be. Funny enough to plant a love of endearing German profanity. Rugged and cleverly poetic. Terribly wonderful from the first to the last word.

I want to share it with every loved one and every stranger. Simultaneously I want to keep it for myself. I hope you choose to enjoy it.

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