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)

Liked book but wouldn’t add it to my collection

This received only 3 stars because I had to distance myself from the book before I could decide how I felt about it. In the end, I decided that I liked the book but wouldn’t add it to my permanent collection. Thus, 3 stars. This novel was gripping and fascinating but not a pleasure to read. It told the story of WWII from a different perspective. It was told by Death.

The hype about this book made me anxious to read it, however, it is not one of the best Nazi-subject stories I've ever read. I’ve heard that it was written for youth but I think this book is best for teens in high school. I wouldn't recommend this for younger children because some of the things that happen aren't suitable for younger children.

The character development, especially the women, from Liesel to Mama and even Ilsa, the mayor's distraught wife, were in no way underdeveloped or predictable. The author also does a great job setting the stage and characters.

It was about a family who lived during the Holocaust and hid a German. The title comes from the protagonist's first theft, The Gravedigger's Handbook, at the gravesite of her younger brother. The book she steals then becomes a tool used to teach her to read with the help of her foster father during the early morning hours with the aid of a candle. Throughout the war years she gradually accumulates a wide assortment of books which she “steals”.

The author paints an extraordinary picture of the barren landscape, air-raids, food rations, and some who exhibit extraordinary courage risking their own lives by rescuing Jewish friends from the Nazis.

Zusak has written not only a compelling story but also a fresh look at the destruction the Nazis did to their own people. He has taken a look through this young girl's eyes and exposed the brutality of war. It is amazing that Liesel Meminger by her bravery survived.

Absolutely Wonderful

Would you consider the audio edition of The Book Thief to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print version so I can not answer this question.

Who was your favorite character and why?

They were all so wonderful but I have to admit that Rosa touched my heart. Tough on the outside but just such a wonderful woman.

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

The reader did a wonderful job with all of the characters but I think that he did a great job as death.

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

I found myselft listening to this book whenever I possibly could. It was wonderful and I was saddened that it was over. I will listen to it again.

Any additional comments?

My students had told me about this book and I am so glad that they did. If you liked this book you may like another one call "All But My Life" by Gerta Weisman Klien. I don't know if they have it on audible but it is also just as amazing as this one.

just go on and get it and listen

just go onand get it and listen.

you wont be sorry.

you wont regret spending the credit, money ,or time.

if you have already waited a bit about picking it up, you will kick yourself for it after.

but nevet mind that,now.

just go on....and get it....

and listen.

I thought I was tired of novels...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Book Thief to be better than the print version?

This is a wonderful book. I was initially put off by the device of Death as the Narrator, but this gave way to engagement with the characters and their lives. This is a period I have studied and read many books about. This gives another, bittersweet dimension to such an awful period. Allan Corduner is a superb narrator/actor. I much appreciated his many German accents and dynamic delivery. I have never written a review before, but this novel will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Gut Wrentching

This is a fabulous book written in a unique manner. Not to be missed as it tells its story from the perspective of loving German citizens caught up in a war they are just trying to survive.

wow! I laughed and I cried!

Loved this book so much!!
Narration was wonderful!
Highly recommended!!
Do yourself a favor and listen to this one!!

AMAZING!!!

This audiobook is nothing short of great! I loved the soothing voice of the narrator and the voices of each character! The story itself makes me bawl every time I read and listen to it. 10/10; would highly recommend. For kids that have to read this for school, I recommend speeding up the audio and following along with the actual book. This really helped me remember all the details and build my vocabulary.

Beautiful and Painful

Beautiful writing and narration. I absolutely loved Death's storytelling. Though he tells you the ending in the beginning, the story absolutely wrenched my heart.

Boy Meets Girl in the Saddest Time in History

Zusak took the classic idea of boy meets girl, fall in love, but time wields a story of star crossed love in one of if, not The saddest times in history that so many want to forget. Liesel becomes the daughter anyone would want to adopt, she's street smart and cunny and a quick learner for a girl in the midst of so much hatred, intolerance and cruelty in everything about her.
Allan Corduner has a voice to make you hate to love death, and love to hate him, knowing his task. He elegantly weaves the tale showing you that Liesel is such a loveable child and loving of her adoptive parents, the Jewish man they take in, and Rudi (the boy). Though the image of the Grim Reaper comes to mind so often , you can see him as a savior, Liesel works so hard to be the love in the bleak darkness all around her, from Death to the Nazi Regime. She is what really drives Death to be not just black, but white and even a touch of grey. At times he seems so set on his task of taking life (blackness), but she shows him the value of some humans lives (Light coming into the world). She can move him in so many ways. He is definitely touched by her love for others that he holds off his task occasionally so that she can make sure that her loved ones won't face death alone.
Although parts of the story one can see coming a mile away the pain and loss is palpable the whole way through the story. Have tissues ready for everyone touched by Liesel, herself included.

What a great read.

What a wonderfully heartbreaking story. The whole thing had me looking forward to listening daily.