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Markus Zusak

The Book Thief

Nazi Germany. For reasons she doesn't quite understand - something to do with the word Kommunist - nine year old Liesel is going to live with a foster family. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is her story.

Liesel's foster parents oppose the Nazi regime, and are willing to help those in danger - as is shown by them taking in Liesel and hiding Max, a Jew, in their basement. But this isn't a story of heroics - openly fighting the regime would just get you taken away as well. No, Liesel must still have a clean uniform for her Hitler Youth meetings each week. Rather the book is about the little things in life which are changed by such resistance.

The Book Thief. There is plenty of thievery going on in Liesel's community, but she is only on the edges of it. What she does steal is books, once in a while, and each one has it's own story.

This Novel is Narrated by Death. A bit quirky, you might think, and it certainly is for the first fifty pages or so - after that it settles down. What I liked about having such a narrator was that it gets away from using a death as a big event in a story. Yes, people are going to die, but don't let this rule your life.

In summary it's a haunting story giving a different view of a low point of 20th century civilization, and is well worth reading.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 576 pages
ISBN: 0375842209
Salesrank: 168
Weight:1 lbs

Published: 2007 Alfred A. Knopf

Amazon price $8.63

Marketplace:New from $6.55:Used from $5.95

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 560 pages
ISBN: 0552773891
Salesrank: 55
Weight:0.79 lbs

Published: 2008 Black Swan

Amazon price £3.95

Marketplace:New from £2.69:Used from £1.17

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Amazon.ca info

Paperback 576 pages
ISBN: 0375842209
Salesrank: 474
Weight:1 lbs

Published: 2007 Knopf Books for Young Readers

Amazon price CDN$ 11.67

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 5.57:Used from CDN$ 6.00

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Product Description
It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . . Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel 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 before he is marched to Dachau. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul. From the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel 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 before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

From the Hardcover edition.

Absolutely Amazing *****
The Book Thief, which is narrated by Death, is the story of Liesel as she lives goes to live with her foster family just prior to and during World War II. The story centers around Liesel learning to read, making friends, growing up, and dealing with the effect World War II has on her foster family in friends. She is a girl who lives through nothing but tragedy but still has an open heart and clear head on her shoulders, well, at least most of the time. After hearing so much about The Book Thief over the past year I decided I could not put off reading it any longer. I was completely blown away by this exquisite novel. I went in expecting something very YA, but still enjoyable and was surprised by how mature everything was. Death as the narrator gives insight into characters and situations that would be impossible to disclose otherwise, as well as keeping the overall mood of the book somber as he is always reminding the reader of the impending doom that Liesel's family and friend will face. I think every book lover can relate to Liesel, not in a suffering in Nazi Germany way, but in a word transporting way. Her books are the most important things she owns, they are gifts from family, made by friends and stolen from fires and private library's.

Absolutely Amazing *****

The Book Thief, which is narrated by Death, is the story of Liesel as she lives goes to live with her foster family just prior to and during World War II. The story centers around Liesel learning to read, making friends, growing up, and dealing with the effect World War II has on her foster family in friends. She is a girl who lives through nothing but tragedy but still has an open heart and clear head on her shoulders, well, at least most of the time.

After hearing so much about The Book Thief over the past year I decided I could not put off reading it any longer. I was completely blown away by this exquisite novel. I went in expecting something very YA, but still enjoyable and was surprised by how mature everything was. Death as the narrator gives insight into characters and situations that would be impossible to disclose otherwise, as well as keeping the overall mood of the book somber as he is always reminding the reader of the impending doom that Liesel's family and friend will face.

I think every book lover can relate to Liesel, not in a suffering in Nazi Germany way, but in a word transporting way. Her books are the most important things she owns, they are gifts from family, made by friends and stolen from fires and private library's.

Must have! *****
I don't think I would do this book justice in just a few words. It made me cry, laugh, think about those important to me, and pray for an ending that is different than what I knew it would be. What could you expect when the narrator is death? Although death consistently interrupts with hints of what happens in the end, it is still heartbreaking when it comes. I'm a little sad that the book is over now. A young girl is about to be placed in foster care. Her mother is too poor to take care of Leisel and her brother, so she is taking them to Munich to be given over to a foster family. On the train ride, Leisel's brother dies. Then she is handed off to a woman who yells and cusses at her and an accordion player who seems to allow his wife to run things. Leisel's life begins to change for the better as her foster father begins to teach her to read and her friendship grows with the next door neighbor, Rudy. Words revolutionize Leisel. She first is powerful against them, but then becomes powerful by using them. Her reading inspires healing during bomb raids, sickness, and melts the heart of death himself. The connection of books end up her savior in the end. I can't imagine anyone not liking this book. It does begin slowly, but the characters all become to grow on you. The triumphs and failures of each of the main characters move the reader as if they were part of the scenes. It is truly remarkable how much I was sucked into this book. I cried at least four times even though I knew what was going to happen well before it happened. Death attempts to make all of the readers comfortable with the idea of destruction that will rip Leisel's world apart, but it didn't help me. I know this review has been all over the place, but it's because there is so much that I would want to say that I can't get it out in a logical sequence. All I can tell you is that you NEED to read this book!

Must have! *****

I don't think I would do this book justice in just a few words. It made me cry, laugh, think about those important to me, and pray for an ending that is different than what I knew it would be. What could you expect when the narrator is death? Although death consistently interrupts with hints of what happens in the end, it is still heartbreaking when it comes. I'm a little sad that the book is over now.

A young girl is about to be placed in foster care. Her mother is too poor to take care of Leisel and her brother, so she is taking them to Munich to be given over to a foster family. On the train ride, Leisel's brother dies. Then she is handed off to a woman who yells and cusses at her and an accordion player who seems to allow his wife to run things. Leisel's life begins to change for the better as her foster father begins to teach her to read and her friendship grows with the next door neighbor, Rudy. Words revolutionize Leisel. She first is powerful against them, but then becomes powerful by using them. Her reading inspires healing during bomb raids, sickness, and melts the heart of death himself. The connection of books end up her savior in the end.

I can't imagine anyone not liking this book. It does begin slowly, but the characters all become to grow on you. The triumphs and failures of each of the main characters move the reader as if they were part of the scenes. It is truly remarkable how much I was sucked into this book. I cried at least four times even though I knew what was going to happen well before it happened. Death attempts to make all of the readers comfortable with the idea of destruction that will rip Leisel's world apart, but it didn't help me. I know this review has been all over the place, but it's because there is so much that I would want to say that I can't get it out in a logical sequence. All I can tell you is that you NEED to read this book!

Best book I've read in years! *****
There isn't much I can add that hasn't already been said. This is a beautiful book that is a must read for any true book lover.

Best book I've read in years! *****

There isn't much I can add that hasn't already been said. This is a beautiful book that is a must read for any true book lover.

The Book Thief *****
This is a book that will catch you in the first pages and never let go of you. Narrated by Death, he will pull you into his world and make it as real as your own. The characters come alive - they are real people with flaws, and unattractiveness yet, some have great strengths buried deep inside. A reminder of the evil that we are capable of doing, but also, the good. The best book I've read in many years.

The Book Thief *****

This is a book that will catch you in the first pages and never let go of you. Narrated by Death, he will pull you into his world and make it as real as your own. The characters come alive - they are real people with flaws, and unattractiveness yet, some have great strengths buried deep inside. A reminder of the evil that we are capable of doing, but also, the good. The best book I've read in many years.

Good ***
This was a good good book. Its not the first book that comes to mind when I am recommending books to anyone. Overall, its a good book and you can't go wrong. Aldys

Good ***

This was a good good book. Its not the first book that comes to mind when I am recommending books to anyone. Overall, its a good book and you can't go wrong. Aldys

Beautiful *****
I started and put down this book a few times before I really got into it. But once I became accustomed to the style, I absolutely loved it. This is a story of stunning beauty. It is heart-breaking and life-affirming, testament to the strength and generosity of the human character. There are scenes and characters here that will stay with you forever.

Beautiful *****

I started and put down this book a few times before I really got into it. But once I became accustomed to the style, I absolutely loved it.

This is a story of stunning beauty. It is heart-breaking and life-affirming, testament to the strength and generosity of the human character. There are scenes and characters here that will stay with you forever.

One of the best *****
I can't believe the 1 star reviews of this book; I totally disagree with every word written. I couldn't put this down (it went in the bath with me). I thought it would be weird and difficult to follow with the narrator being 'Death' but it isn't. It flows so quickly and how anyone could think it was dull is beyond me. It is a simple story about a fostered girl in Germany at the start of the war and the lives of the people around her including a hidden Jew in the basement. The end of the book is heartbreaking and how anyone can fail to be moved is incomprehensible. Highly recommended and should be on school syllabuses for English; I would have loved to have studied something like that as a teenager.

One of the best *****

I can't believe the 1 star reviews of this book; I totally disagree with every word written. I couldn't put this down (it went in the bath with me). I thought it would be weird and difficult to follow with the narrator being 'Death' but it isn't. It flows so quickly and how anyone could think it was dull is beyond me.

It is a simple story about a fostered girl in Germany at the start of the war and the lives of the people around her including a hidden Jew in the basement. The end of the book is heartbreaking and how anyone can fail to be moved is incomprehensible.
Highly recommended and should be on school syllabuses for English; I would have loved to have studied something like that as a teenager.

Outstanding!! *****
This is one of the most riveting, captivating, emotional and strangely alluring books I've ever read. Pick it up and read it!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding!! *****

This is one of the most riveting, captivating, emotional and strangely alluring books I've ever read. Pick it up and read it!!!!!!!!!

Simply stunning *****
This is an unforgettable story that will remain with you for a long time. I loved the simplicity and humanity of this book. Liesel, her family and Max and some of the most beautiful and believable characters you'll come across; caught in a desperate situation to survive against all odds. You wouldn't expect that WWII could be taken from such a unique angle and turned into a masterpiece of dignity that reflects the best that humans have to offer. This is probably one of my favourite books of all time.

Simply stunning *****

This is an unforgettable story that will remain with you for a long time. I loved the simplicity and humanity of this book. Liesel, her family and Max and some of the most beautiful and believable characters you'll come across; caught in a desperate situation to survive against all odds.

You wouldn't expect that WWII could be taken from such a unique angle and turned into a masterpiece of dignity that reflects the best that humans have to offer. This is probably one of my favourite books of all time.

Needs to win awards. *****
This book is brilliant. Emotional, captivating and inspiring. I was reading reviews on google and inadvertently stumbled upon this book's review and thought to myself I have to read it and I am glad I did.

Needs to win awards. *****

This book is brilliant. Emotional, captivating and inspiring. I was reading reviews on google and inadvertently stumbled upon this book's review and thought to myself I have to read it and I am glad I did.

Touching and thought provoking *****
Best book I've read on the Holocaust. I'd recommend it for high school students or adults looking for factual historical fiction.

Touching and thought provoking *****

Best book I've read on the Holocaust. I'd recommend it for high school students or adults looking for factual historical fiction.

A great read! *****
I have gotten away from reading fiction, leaving many books half -finished over the last few months. This book drew me right in and just held and haunted me until I finished it. It must have have done the same with the author. I can imagine him struggling to live day to day while carrying this around in his head and heart, letting it out bit by bit, wondering where it was taking him. I loved the author's style and the unique point of view of the narrator. What a great book!

A great read! *****

I have gotten away from reading fiction, leaving many books half -finished over the last few months. This book drew me right in and just held and haunted me until I finished it. It must have have done the same with the author. I can imagine him struggling to live day to day while carrying this around in his head and heart, letting it out bit by bit, wondering where it was taking him.
I loved the author's style and the unique point of view of the narrator.
What a great book!

Hmm... ***
...it didn't move me. Before I began reading it, I was curious about how this novel could have accrued so many accolades...and yet also, some really scathing reviews. The book's blurbs were so effusive. It seemed like reading it was going to be a real experience for me, a truly transcendent experience. It wasn't. On either count. It's well-written. Its often pithy and almost point-form style makes the subject matter easier to process. (Not that I needed it to be; I'm an adult reading a piece of young adult literature.) And the characters are almost all interesting and well-shaped. But it wasn't a memorable story. I didn't find myself not wanting to put it down. In fact, I found myself in 'dutiful reader' mode. I'm glad that this story was written. I'm glad that so many people have clutched it to their chests. And I'm glad for the author's success. It just didn't do it for me...regardless of its category. (Personal rating: 7/10)

Hmm... ***

...it didn't move me.

Before I began reading it, I was curious about how this novel could have accrued so many accolades...and yet also, some really scathing reviews. The book's blurbs were *so* effusive. It seemed like reading it was going to be a real experience for me, a truly transcendent experience.

It wasn't. On either count.

It's well-written.

Its often pithy and almost point-form style makes the subject matter easier to process. (Not that I needed it to be; I'm an adult reading a piece of young adult literature.)

And the characters are almost all interesting and well-shaped.

But it wasn't a memorable story. I didn't find myself not wanting to put it down. In fact, I found myself in 'dutiful reader' mode.

I'm glad that this story was written. I'm glad that so many people have clutched it to their chests. And I'm glad for the author's success.

It just didn't do it for me...regardless of its category.

(Personal rating: 7/10)

A Historical Novel with a Huge Heart, Many Worthwhile Messages, and an Unusual Narrative Perspective *****
"So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him." --Revelation 6:8 I'm sure that at least several hundred reviews of The Book Thief have summarized it far better than I could. Let me address something else: Many people don't think they want to read another story about Nazi Germany filled with lots of inhumanity. I suspect that reason is why I waited for a long time to read this highly regarded novel. While The Book Thief is based in Nazi Germany and will give you more than you think about each day in terms of terrible things that happened then and there, it would be wrong to think of this book as being another morality play presented in that context. The Book Thief in instead a testament to the importance of love, the value of truthful words in opposing untruthful ones, and the inevitability of guilt. As a result, this is a positive book. Will you be sad after reading it? Sure. I know that I was. But Mr. Zusak has a very nice writing style that gently prepares you for what's coming while still switching the actual results around from the obvious just enough to make the story interesting to continue reading. He never kicks you when your emotions are down. As a result, you can bear reading about more suffering than you think you can. It's a gift. I think one of the great values of this book is that it will encourage many people who don't think about death to wonder about what happens after they die. "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" -- 1 Corinthians 15:55 " . . . if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." -- Romans 10:9

A Historical Novel with a Huge Heart, Many Worthwhile Messages, and an Unusual Narrative Perspective *****

"So I looked, and behold, a pale horse.
And the name of him who sat on it was Death,
and Hades followed with him." --Revelation 6:8

I'm sure that at least several hundred reviews
of The Book Thief have summarized it far better
than I could. Let me address something else:
Many people don't think they want to read
another story about Nazi Germany filled with
lots of inhumanity. I suspect that reason is
why I waited for a long time to read this
highly regarded novel.

While The Book Thief is based in Nazi Germany
and will give you more than you think about
each day in terms of terrible things that
happened then and there, it would be wrong to
think of this book as being another morality
play presented in that context.

The Book Thief in instead a testament to the
importance of love, the value of truthful words
in opposing untruthful ones, and the inevitability
of guilt. As a result, this is a positive book.

Will you be sad after reading it? Sure. I know
that I was.

But Mr. Zusak has a very nice writing style that
gently prepares you for what's coming while still
switching the actual results around from the
obvious just enough to make the story interesting
to continue reading. He never kicks you when your
emotions are down. As a result, you can bear
reading about more suffering than you think you
can. It's a gift.

I think one of the great values of this book is
that it will encourage many people who don't think
about death to wonder about what happens after
they die.

"O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?"
-- 1 Corinthians 15:55

" . . . if you confess with your mouth the Lord
Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
-- Romans 10:9