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The Book Thief | 
 enlarge | Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $11.99
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Rating:  391 reviews
Sales Rank: 117
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 576
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0375842209
EAN: 9780375842207
ASIN: 0375842209
Publication Date: September 11, 2007
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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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 386 more reviews...
 Worthy of a second read, excellent September 7, 2008
Although the central character in The Book Thief is Liesel Meminger, the narration for the duration of the novel is done by Death. So Death's point of view understands and seems to know all about who he will meet along the way in Nazi Germany. Death is neither overly sentimental (a few exceptions of course apply) nor acutely malevolent or terrifying. He's just a voice that accepts the many ways people come to him, one way or another, and in fact sits back and watches the barbarity of humans. He sees the ugliness, brutality and beauty of mankind, and seems to feel the most pity for Himmel Street, where Leisel and her new family reside. Still, he is detached, and waits for all to come to him.
Liesel is nine when she becomes a foster child for the Hagerman's after seeing her brother and mother die. She learns to love the new, adopted family she has, and because she has stolen The Grave Digger's Handbook from her brother's burial place, she has a fascination with books and wants to learn to read. One book isn't enough, and after Hans Huber Mann teaches her to read, she has many adventure with Rudy, neighbor boy who is a fan of Jessie Owens, stealing books and other things. Liesel becomes absorbed in novels, and each book is a symbol of an event in the story.
One of the more unique characters is Max Vandenburg, the Jew who hides in the Hagerman's' basement. Similar to Liesel, he comes to this house a stranger trying to make an adjustment after a difficult past experience. Max's stay at the house gives Liesel a stronger purpose because she looks after him as Hans Huber Mann once looked after her. Max connects with the child because he has a strong imagination, an introspective way of looking at things. Max gives Liesel a gift, The Standover Man, which encompasses and signifies all the ideas that link these two characters.
Markus Zusak has a powerful ability to create a poetic, deep narrative, using symbols, and examining the issue of courage, hope, and despair during a troubling and confusing time. Unusually written, as we are often moving back and forth in time between what the reader knows and will know, and given poems as to clues of the plot, Zusak's creates a unique story. Although you are likely to find this book in the young adult section of your bookstore, it seems pretty "mature" in its voice, and should have been left in the fiction section.
While there is so much more going on in the novel, there is much about the background of Nazi Germany, and those who either oppose or dissent from those ideals. Zuzak gives a haunting description of the barbarity, and hopelessness, of this oppression from the eyes of Liesel: "As she watched all of this, Liesel was certain these were the poorest souls alive...Others pleaded for someone, anyone, to step forward and catch them in their arms. No one did."
This is a story that is intense, and leaves an impression. A very creative story here, one that I will definitely read again. Five stars all the way.
Worthy of Accolades September 1, 2008
The Book Thief is no light read. It's not meant to be taken to the beach or casually skimmed over during the course of a weekend. The fact that it's narrated by Death Himself should clue readers into the serious themes held within its pages. I admit that I had to be patient with the narrative at first -it seemed disjointed and difficult to get into, but the language was so vibrant and clever that the book wouldn't let me go. As a result, I was incredibly moved by the ending and can offer up the rarest praise: I will reread this book again in time. It is just that good, that powerful, and that important.
 disappointing August 31, 2008
Confusing , disorganized and disappointing. I found this bpook to be difficult to follow.I could not empathize with the main character. A waste of time.
I LOVE this book!! August 31, 2008
The story starts off a little slow but keep reading because it gets much better. My only disappointment was that I didn't want this book to end. Great read!!
awesome!! a really good book!! August 29, 2008
this book was way better than i thought it would be. it starts out slow, but it becomes really good. you should read it. it is very well written and just and all around good book!!!
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