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  • The Book Thief

  • Written by: Markus Zusak
  • Narrated by: Allan Corduner
  • Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (667 ratings)

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The Book Thief

Written 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

What the critics say

  • 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)

Editorial Review

Cheerful. Amiable. Agreeable. But not nice. Never nice. That’s how Death describes itself, but Death isn’t the main character in this young adult fiction; Death is just the storyteller. As we set out on the eve of WWII in Germany, Death has quite the story to tell.

The tale begins in glimpses and flashes. As Death carries out his daily work gathering souls, he keeps crossing paths with a young foster girl named Liesel living on the outskirts of Munich. Death shares her story as she learns to read, befriends the Jewish man in her basement, and avoids the regular requests for kisses from her best friend, Rudy. Liesel has known little but loss in her short life, and despite her strong sense of justice, she begins to steal books. Thus, Death nicknames her The Book Thief.

In a story so captivating that Death itself can’t look away, The Book Thief audiobook inspires joy, anger, laughter, heartbreak, and most of all, love. Audie-award winning narrator Allan Corduner lends his calm, quietly humorous tone to Death’s very own surprisingly chatty voice, making this work seem as though it were created for listening to all along.

The Book Thief has transcended best-seller lists, becoming an all-time favourite and genuine must listen (and re-listen) for Audible audiobook fans around the world. It has been translated into more than 60 languages, sold more than 16 million copies, and has been turned into a feature film starring Canadian actress Sophie Nélisse in the lead role as Liesel.

This is a performance that will capture the imagination as much as the heart, and leave listeners teary-eyed and ready to immediately hit replay.

Featured Article: 20 of the Best Strong Fictional Female Lead Characters Who Will Inspire You

From feisty fiery females to women warriors, this list of audiobooks features the best stories and epic tales with strong fictional female lead characters that will inspire you.

What listeners say about The Book Thief

Average Customer Ratings
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  • 2020-02-28

One of the better stories

This book, this story, is a masters work, designed to pull you in, make you trust and love it, want to share a dinner with it, reminisce and laugh into the evening with drinks and an evening stroll in the park. Then after you have said goodbye and settled; while you are still warmed by the days events as you close your eyes to dream of love and peaceful soothing memories, it is outside pouring the gasoline so that your house will burn faster

What a story
I am strongly recommending it

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Truly an amazing story!

Beautifully written, beautifully narrated. The Book Thief truly is one of the greatest books I've ever read.

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loved it

loved it. loved the narrators consistency in character voices and the story, got very connected to the characters and read most of it in one go

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

Absolutely LOVED this book and the narration. Perfect in every way. The subject, setting and narrator are all tragic yet this book had me laughing often also.

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Great listen!

I believe that this is one of the times where listening to the audiobook versus reading the book actually enhanced story because of the accent and such. A sad but great listen!

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Excellent narration and powerful story

This story had excellent narrating and a powerful story. The writing is creatively poetic and witty. I enjoyed this book immensely and finished it feeling satisfied that the book was well worth its time. I recommend this book for whoever wants a historical story that shows the beauty and damnation of humankind.

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A treasure

No wonder it is rated so high. I am haunted by humanity. Wow! What a beautiful piece of literature

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Devastating

This book was unparalleled for its unique perspective, evocative characters and emotional impact.

The jarring effect achieved by having death narrate the events of the story while also being an empathetic and sensitive observer of humans events adds to the heart rending impact of this incredibly well written and brilliantly narrated book.

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Beautifully written and narrated with perfection

This book gives the reader the opportunity to see WW2 from a different angle. The words are delivered like a warm pastry on a cold day. The narration is one of the best I have heard, and the writing style of the author is memorable beyond words. Enjoy.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Beautifully Written & Brilliantly Narrated!

This is, as described, "just a small story really"... But one with both cleverness and heart. The author's tone is beautifully understated throughout and the narrator, Allan Corduner, captures and carries this brilliantly! 'A challenging narration as the story is told from Death's perspective, but Corduner hits it perfectly. A really enjoyable listen, despite the (necessarily) dark content.

A quick add: this isn't a tale for times when the kids are within earshot.

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