The Book Thief

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.

I don’t know if I can compose something that accurately conveys my thoughts about this novel. I don't think there are accurate words.

Ultimately I thought this book was an emotional experience. I was moved at different points to tears---and yet I was comforted. And I saw life and more importantly death a little bit differently when the book was done.

Allan Corduner’s performance was nothing short of impressive---and I can not imagine experiencing this book without his voice. I think he elevated an already superb story…

This is nothing short of brilliant!

The final words of the book, spoken by Death who has been the storyteller, sums up my feelings about this reading experience. The story is so much about the power of words, and the author uses his words so eloquently, visually descriptive in their ability to evoke sensory understanding of the characters' experiences. But beyond the words, the true story is about the souls of the characters - both good and bad. The very best is of course Hans, the father whose kindness, generosity and deep understanding of what is right becomes the guiding star to the devestated orphan who comes to his home. Liesel's life is saved and formed through his influence and she becomes extraordinary as a result. Rosa, Rudy and the others living in this wartorn village become our literary neighbors. I will be haunted by these humans for some time to come.

A comment - other reviewers have stated their inability to get into the story. It took 3 tries for me to get past the beginning also. The prologue is confusing and the writing style unique, requiring some patience and concentration. Please don't give up. By the first hour when the Storyteller begins the real narrative, you will understand and begin a transforming journey. The narrator is superb, bringing all of these characters to life.

I am not reviewing the book. If you want to know about that, read the reviews on Amazon, or Goodreads. I am writing about Allan Corduner. This was like listening to a Broadway play; amazing. Allan Corduner brought to life this poignant story. I could never have felt such joy and pain having read this myself. Oh, my heart still breaks when Liesel says "Papa!"

I had my doubts about reading this book. I have a hard time with books about WWII Germany. I knew this would probably be a heartbreaker too but for some reason I decided to take it on. Maybe because the book was about books, and I usually like that genre; maybe because the reviews were so good; certainly not because I read it was appropriate for "sophisticated teens and adults." For whatever reason, I am glad I selected The Book Thief. It was incredibly well-written. The characters completely came to life. While there certainly was heart-brake, the heart-warming more than made up for it. This is a book for all ages. The narrator was outstanding and all and all, it was a book I will not soon forget.

I have been listening to Audiobooks for approximately 4 years, and this is only the second time that I have felt compelled to write a review. I don't think that I have ever been so touched by a story, nor will I ever forget this book or it's characters. The tale is heartbreaking, but at the same time hopeful for the human spirit, as "Death" (the storyteller) can attest to throughout the telling of the story of Liesel, the main character. She is but one of many (thousands, acutually) that, together, make this a story that will leave an imprint on your heart. I know it will stay with me forever. Don't pass this one up!

Honestly, I didn't want to read this book. Nazi Germany has never been a subject of great interest to me. However, It had been sitting around in my Audible app for about 6 months, and I'd listened to all of my other audiobooks, so I figured now was as good of a time as any to give it a shot.

Let me just say that The Book Thief broke my heart. It really did. The writing was beautiful and brilliant. Not long after starting it, I found myself absorbed by the story. I couldn't stop thinking about Liesel Meminger. I think the moment I knew I was going to love this book was when she described her new papa's eyes. Their relationship was by far my favorite aspect of the book.

The author actually gives the ending away before he describes the events leading up to it. At first, I thought that this was going to bother me, but It's just made the book more powerful. This book made me FEEL so much. I felt it when Liesel was scared, ecstatically happy, unbelievably sad, blazingly angry, and I felt it when she loved fiercely. It was definitely her love that broke my heart. I cried for the last 20 minutes of the audiobook. I'd fought tears a few times throughout the book, but there was no stopping them by the end. This was such a touching book that I would definitely recommend. (Also, I'm glad I listened to this book rather than read it because I wouldn't have known how to pronounce many of the words.)

I found this to be a great read that really helped the time pass as my boyfriend and drove to see family for Thanksgiving. The narrator is really fantastic and my boyfriend, who's a natural German speaker actually said the narrator managed the German words pretty well. I do not know any German and didn't have trouble at all understanding as the author switches from German to the English translations in a very natural way that make the use of German into a descriptive element that pulls you into the story and time. The story is a bit slow to pick up on audio that I think it wouldn't be in written form. The story jumps around a bit especially at the beginning so some may find it hard to follow. However, my boyfriend's audio comprehension isnt the best, he find it hard to follow many readers but had no trouble with this book. I wouldn't say this is a book for young children (this is the Hitler era of German history) though and there are some minor curse words. I note this only because that bothers some people. While the story is fantastical, it is told by Death, I found the characters refreshingly honest and appealing. The author avoids the simplistic cliches of good guys and bad, instead giving us actual people with the merits and flaws and history that shape their lives.

For potential listeners this book is a very easy listen that will move along quickly. It has a smooth and gentle rhythm narrated by the nameless character who identifies himself as someone everyone will meet at the last moment of life, i.e. Death. He is very tired and overworked gathering up souls during World War II. He travels nearly invisibly amidst the carnage and is able to offer a unbiased perspective of the people he observes. Nobody is untouched by his presence and a few get to look him in the face before their time. Most resist him, many welcome him to deliver them from suffering.

Death makes a visit to the family of the main character, Liesel, where he comes to observe this special young German girl, her foster parents, her friends and foes. Among the cast of characters in this story is a young Jewish man, Max, who is hidden by Liesel’s foster parents. Obviously this is a very risky venture inside 1940’s Nazi Germany.

Without repeating too much of what other reviewers have correctly written, I must say that this story has a very warm human quality. It offers an insider’s view to the rise of Hitler and Nazism, and is not unsympathetic to the German people who want only to scratch out an existence for their families. They are powerless observers to the explosion of fanatical hatred, with the Jews made as scapegoats for every imagined problem. Their families are decimated as their fathers and sons are unwillingly taken away to fight for this insane Fuhrer.

Still, inside of this war-torn country, simple people try to survive. Children play and their parents struggle to feed and nurture them. They witness the terrible persecution of the Jews, and most all of the citizens are too terrified to offer comfort or sympathy of any kind. Those who do succumb to their natural instincts of humane compassion are dealt with severely.

A wonderful read, full of triumph and tragedy charmingly told.

The Book Thief is a beautifully narrated and superbly told novel. It is impossible not to be drawn into the story and feel like you are living on the streets of Munich during World War II. My only complaint is that this book is listed in the Audible Kids category, where I believe it truly does not belong. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, the main characters are children, but the subject is mature. Few children under high school age will appreciate this book.