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)

Good Book

What did you love best about The Book Thief?

The man that was reading the book was very good and very animated. He really made the book come alive. The book was very good. The story line flowed. There were happy parts and some parts that made you want to cry because they were so sad. The reader really drew you in. The part that I didn't like about the book was the cussing. There was a lot of cussing. I am a Christian and they took the Lords name in vein a lot. I had a hard time with that because we are not warned any place that there would be all of that cussing and disrespect to the Lord. Other than that the story line was extremely good.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the book from start to finish. Not just one special part.

If you could take any character from The Book Thief out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Lesle because she had such a difficult life.

I love this book!

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

I don't know. I haven't read it. But I can't imagine that a movie that doesn't have the great narration and the wonderful metaphorical writing would be as good.

What did you like best about this story?

The beautiful writing, especially the voice of the narrator.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

He read it perfectly.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved it. Mostly I'd say I cried.

Any additional comments?

The story is great but it's the language that makes this such a wonderful book.

Awesome!!!

Pretty good 😂 I love reading and this was my summer reading I liked it 👍thanks!!

Liesel, Hans, mamá, Rudy la muerte, tocan el alma

Extraordinario, contenido, actuación. Profundamente amorosa, la dignidad que no se pierde, palabras poderosas. Bello. Intenso.

A must listen!

I don't think I could have had the same rich experience reading the book as I did listening to this narrator. The story has it all-beautiful imagery, well-rounded characters, humor, sadness. There's nothing about this book I didn't like. It was a wonderful experience. It left me wanting to hear more about Lisl Meminger.

GREAT book!

A Must read! Incredible words. Vivid & moving. The movie doesn't even come close. Laughed, cried, and soul searched.

Sad and Lovely

Beautifully read, sad yet lovely story.

Apparently I have to say more. But truly my first sentence is all I wanted to say.

Wow

The book captured more of the total struggle of those times. For everyone. And how the choices of one could changes the lives of so many.

Amazing

The narration is especially good great job Alan. So is the story I have absolutely loved it thank you.

Five Stars! Incredible!

At first I was a little worried about the music and introduction but as I kept listening, I absolutely fell in love. The narrator was wonderful and the story is amazing.