The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak’s unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.
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 … 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.
From the Hardcover edition.
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I loved this book. Not only was it historically correct but it was well written . The characters were realistic and well drawn. This book was made into a movie and for once the movie was as beautiful as the book.
This story will become a classic must-read, in line with Anne Frank. A combination of gut-wrenching stories of WWII with its horrible acts of genocide, and Fahrenheit 451, you will read of courage, love of knowledge through reading, and friendship.
Really loved it.
This is such a good story. It delivers a totally different angle to the Jewish conflict in Germany.
I always enjoy reading this book. The characters are so memorable and linger on your mind even after you’ve finished reading. Great for all ages to read
The Book Thief is definately one of the best books I’ve read!
My entry into historical fiction many years ago. Absolutely love it reread it when I was older.
Beautiful, sad, heartwarming. I love this book.
One of the best books I have read.
Excellent read. About a girl, during the war, read any books she can get her hands on. Her mother gives her up and she goes to live with a new family. The story is about her and the people she meats and whom she works for. It is a 5 star book. If you have not read it. I encourage you too.
I put this on my highly gifted middle school students’ required reading list. The point of view: Death is the narrator; the main characters live in Germany during WW2. To see the war from two such alien perspectives is eyeopening. It is one thing to bathe a reader in pathos; it is quite another to show a reader real courage, stupidity, faith, loyalty, hope, love, terror and all the same be showing them how to live through the harshest times with one’s morality intact. Amazing book.
One of my favorites! I loved it !
Death as the narrator. What a stroke of genius. This book has everything. So original, heartbreaking and inspiring, it is one of my favourite stories about the nazi era.
Amazing!!!
Could NOT put this down!
This is one of my all time favorite books.
What a wonderful story with beautiful characters! I love the point of view the story was told, it’s what hooked me into the book. Yes you most likely will cry but it’s part of the story. I fell in love with this book.
Simply brilliant storytelling from start to finish.
I was captivated by this book from the very first page and it continued to hold my attention right to the very last page.
The writing style is unusual but, only a few pages in, I stopped noticing it. I found his use of language and colour to convey, not just his setting, but also the inner feelings and emotions of his characters, and the mood of the time or the moment, fascinating.
The story itself moves through the years of WW2 in Germany. The central character, Liesel, is a child at the beginning but has become a young woman, with all that that entails, by the end. As the story progresses there is sadness, privation, happiness, and through the eyes of the characters in the town we witness the overwhelming destructive force of war.
Be prepared to cry, there were times when I needed my hanky.
I don’t normally read books like this as I’m not very fond of tragic stories. This one was intriguing, however, as it was written from Death’s point of view. While the ending wasn’t what I would call “happy,” it was hopeful. I think it is a well-written book, I was glad I read it, and definitely would recommend it.
A wonderful read for any book lover