The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak

Narrated by: Dennis Olsen

Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The award-winning novel that established Markus Zusak as an international brand.

It is 1939, Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.

So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, and wherever there are books to be found. But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish fist-fighter in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

©2005 Markus Zusak (P)2006 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Producer Heather Steen.

Book thief

Brilliant Much enjoyed story and the reading Which gained in listening to it. Bring it on! Katoomba book reading group choice for January

Beautiful, intriguing and tragic

Where does The Book Thief rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Captivating and eerie The Book Thief grabs your mind making you want to listen to the next chapter. The narration was spooky and chilly as you expect from Death! My first foray into fiction in a while so I am seeking out other good fiction listens.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character who learns to love books so much she risks her life to steal them.

What does Dennis Olsen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The chilling rendition of Death as a character who is thoroughly tired of the work humans were giving him.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A girl, some stolen books and a world at war.... And Death watches them all.

Any additional comments?

Just a great listen that resonates long after the last word.

Ruined by appalling narration

I could not finish this audiobook, in fact I endured only about an hour of it. I put up with that much hoping that it might better, but it didn't, so I gave up.

Denis Olsen is a famous Australian actor and much loved for his Gilbert and Sullivan performances. But he utterly ruins this book. He seems to think that we, the listeners, want to hear him ham it up, using ridiculous vocal modulations and even an echo chamber.

Good reading is an art. The narrator must first of all understand what he or she is reading, and then he or she must read the author's words in a way that simply conveys that meaning.

The only reader I have heard in 20 years of regular listening to audiobooks is an AAAmerican called Charlton Griffin. I have learnt necer to buy anything read by him . Denis Olsen has joined that illustrious company.

This book should be re-recorded by a narrator who can read properly.

Hate the narration

What would have made The Book Thief better?

A different narrator

What could Markus Zusak have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Ensured a better narrator

How could the performance have been better?

Infinitely better! It's like listening to over acting in a fourth rate play. I will read the book as I'm sure it is a great story

What character would you cut from The Book Thief?

Is the narrator a character ? I think so in the instance of audio. Loose the narrator

Any additional comments?

There are outstanding narrators, and even this one would be fine without the over acting!