The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak
ISBN: 0375842209
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Customer Rating:

, based on 384 reviews

Lowest Price: $5.88
By Supplier: MultumBooks

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Description/Reviews | Feedback | View All Offers (49)

Editorial Review:

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.

Customer Reviews:

Still haunting after over a year...

I read this book over a year ago because of a review I read somewhere. It is so full of texture, of the grinding machine that is war, with the little bleeps of love and beauty that keep people plodding along. It is a wonderful book. I still think about it a year later and I immediately ordered his other 2 books. I read voraciously and this is a gem. The characters are so surprising and real. I am amazed this is a young adult book. I am aware of book clubs that have read the book and been captivated by it. It should be widely read. Where is Oprah?

2008-08-19

Five stars!!!

A rare opportunity to experience the insight of Germany life during the war. It can be a little bit depressive in the beginning, but the story is extremely well developed. I hope it remains popular for generations.

2008-08-19

An awsome book!!!

This book was fantastic!! I just got done with it, literally, and i must say it is one great piece of literature. This was a summer reading assingment and i was not looking forward to it because of it's length, but trust me, you get over that quickly. It was actually a quick read since there is much spacing in the book. Since i am a world class procrastinator i was forced to finish it in less than 5 days.

The big seller on this for me was the narrator being death during WW II. A fantastic perspective for that time, don't you think? Please buy this book, you will not be sorry! By the way there is a film coming out in 2010 so you could read the book and then compare it to the movie when it is released. Happy reading, Juan

2008-08-19

Too self-conscious for me to finish

I'm afraid I'm writing this review without having read the whole book. After reading the first couple chapters I became so impatient with the affected, graceless prose that I left off reading. Tries to be too cute and arty, forgets to show instead of tell.

2008-08-18

One of the best books I've ever read

This was an amazing story. Truly extraordinary. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I wish I could take the author aside, look him in the eye, and tell him how much I truly loved this book. It was haunting, stunning, sad, amazing and gripping. I didn't know it was a Young Adult book. It was so powerful. I sobbed and sobbed at the end. So beautifully written.

2008-08-17

More Feedback