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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

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love love love

I don't often review, but I loved this book! The narrator did a fabulous job of telling this story from a different perspective, I fell deeply in love with each character as they felt like my own friends and family. I still have goosebumps from the very last line. This one will be with me for awhile.

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A perfect book

This book has everything needed to be considered a success. I cannot recommend it enough. It will probably make you laugh and certainly make you cry. Do not pass it up.

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The best book I've read in a long time

I thought the book started off slow but within a few chapters I couldn't stop listening. This is one book I didn't want to end.

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Brilliant

Phenomenal and brilliant book! This book is filled with joy, agony, loss, love and strength.

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Beautiful

This is the saddest, most beautiful and moving book I've ever experienced. I want everyone to read it. Leisel's story may not be true but I felt it in my heart so deeply. I want every book by Markus Zusak now because of it.

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One of a kind masterpiece.

History buff or not, this is a must read WW II Fiction. Truly amazing book.

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Not Great but Good

The narrator is amazing. The story is a little flat. Worth the read/listen but nothing that will bump anything from my top ten

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Excellent story and narrator but depressing as hell

Story and narration were stellar. So depressing that I cried. Was hoping for a happy ending but not with this topic

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Great story, great narrator

I really loved this audiobook and the narrator was fantastic! I’m sad that it’s over.

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A Must Listen!

Wow! Amazing story, amazing writing, amazing performance. I thought at first I won’t make it to the end. But the end came way too soon!

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