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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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  • Overall
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There's nothing I didn't love about his book!

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

It's one of my favorites. The story, the style of narration, the voice performance of the narrator all made this a captivating listen!

What did you like best about this story?

The developed personas a of each different character in the story.

Have you listened to any of Allan Corduner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't listened to anything else by Alan Corduner

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best story I've read I awhile...

So descriptively beautiful and devastating at the same time, this is a story I won't soon forget. The narration is perfect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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In love

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Everyone I know. It changes how you see the world.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

The different voices used were great.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

beautifully written, excellent performance

Would you listen to The Book Thief again? Why?

I would listen to this book again. The depiction of the characters is so rich and life-like.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful historical book about Austrailia

Would you listen to The Book Thief again? Why?

I did not order the whispersync because I listened to the sample and I thought the narrator was quite poor at his craft. His delivery was too slow and monotone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Isabel -

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hauntingly Amazing

Loved every moment of this book. I had already read the book, to listen from this narrator was like living it. So well done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mesmerizing.

Zusak has woven his characters into a masterful story. Allan Corduner is one of the most talented narrators I have listened to.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story, wonderful narration

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is not a light book by any means, but it is one of those rare books where you fall in love with the characters. The narration by Allan Corduner is superb, I could not imagine better.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good Classic Story

What did you love best about The Book Thief?

I enjoyed the historical element to this story, and the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The book is moving, it is moving to read about the way the war effected the families in Germany.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story with an amazing narration!

Allan Corduner brings this story to life! You feel the anguish, the fear, and the joy each character experiences.

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