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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
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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

Average customer ratings
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A WW2 book a bit gloomy, with some sunshine

An excellent book with a very unusual perspective. I loved it and highly recommend you enjoy it too.

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Story paints an amazing picture with words

One of the best books I’ve ever listened to on audible. The story and the narrator just bring all the characters and the story to life. You will laugh and cry all at once,

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An education in life and love in a sad reality

One of the best books I have ever "experienced", riveting with wisdom, despair and hope

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WOW...

Having read many WWII stories, I want to say that this is among the very best. Just finished it for the second time, and I am glad that I'm writing this revew; I don't think that I can talk right now.

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Perfect

As soon as I started thinking hmm is this chapter boring… it got interesting again. Love this book. Extremely sad though.

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As entertaining as it is heartbreaking

When I tell you this book had me in tears at the end…

A unique story, told against the backdrop of a very well known war. Loss, heartbreak, family, love, and books.

There’s no unexpected twists, there is no deus-ex-machina savior, we all know how it ends from the beginning. But the way the story is told makes you care about the characters and feel what the protagonist feels. Felt her loss, her love, and her curiosity.

Impeccably narrated and performed.

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A very sad but beautiful story

I'm happy to have listened to this book. It's unlike anything I read before. And the narrator was brilliant!
Highly recommend!

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Incredible book

In all honesty, it took over an hour for this book to sink it’s hooks in me, but I’m very happy I finish. Such an emotional tale

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great book

This book is differently written, this adds to the interest. You will feel many deep emotions while reading this book.

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Wonderful book

I have put this book off for a while. This story is gripping. I was totally invested in the characters. Narration was great. I laughed and I cried. But at the end of the book I was so glad I listened to this book. The story is one of those that will stay with me for a long time.

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