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)

So different but so good

The point of view of this book is so different from anything I've ever listened to and it worked so well. This book is moving and makes you feel for us all as humans.

Great story

What a great story. Narrator did a fantastic job. POV was unique. Not one I’ll read over and over but it was a good read.

Exquisite

Experience II WW from a different and peculiar perspective... from Death's perspective.
A sweet and painful story.

Simply amazing.

A lot have books have been deemed “instant classics” but this one truly lives up to the bill. Absolutely wonderful story, story telling and story line. I couldn’t recommend it more!

Great story which feels real and accurate

I literally felt like I was thrown back into WW2. Crushingly sad story that I couldn’t stop listening too.

One of the best books I’ve ever read

I highly recommend this book. So well written and so well read. The character development is phenomenal and it will leave you gripped at every chapter.

Actually cried,I couldn’t even stand while listening to it cause I was crying so much

This book is not for the weak of heart,this book is a good book for those who need a to write a book report on. just make sure you space out your reading moments right or you will be showing up to where ever you have to be with puffy eyes.

Will steal you!

Brilliant. Compelling. Categorized as "Young Adult" but perhaps more because the female protagonist is a child, this story will break your heart on one page and on the next give you comfort. You can't help but care about the characters.

The narrator, Allan Corduner, is truly amazing as he brings life to Death, the book's narrator. I took great pleasure in how his voice messaged the words and images. I've read reviews from those who read the written words and they all complain that it was slow getting into the story, but not true with Allan Corduner giving voice to Death.

Haunting

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

The use of "The angel of death" as the narrator of the story was very unique and interesting. The characters were all wonderful, but above all, Liesel and Max were my favourites.

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

The only other book that seemed a bit similar in feel to The book Thief was The Night Circus. It had a slightly surreal feel to it at times.

Which scene was your favorite?

This was not the type of book that would lead one to pick a favourite scene.

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

I found at times I needed a break from the disturbing events being recounted in the book. I found it interesting to view the events in Nazi Germany from a different perspective... from that of the Germans who lived through the war. However, I did want to keep reading because the author beautifully wove the events and characters into an irresistible read.

Any additional comments?

This is not your typical Word War II novel and I highly recommend the listening of this book. It will not disappoint.

What a book!

Any additional comments?

This is just a wonderful book. Don't miss it. The narration is wonderful and the German accent and translation is superb. Wonderfully written about a tragic and frightening time, with a completely unexpected voice telling the story. I'm so glad a friend recommended it to me!