Binding: Paperback EAN: 9780375842207 ISBN: 0375842209 Label: Knopf Books for Young Readers Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 576 Publication Date: September 11, 2007 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Reading Level: Young Adult Release Date: September 11, 2007 Sales Rank: 152 Studio: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Product DescriptionIt’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.
What Others Say
Time well stolen
I really didn't know what I was getting into when I bought The Book Thief based solely on the buzz I was hearing about it. I had heard it was set in WWII Germany and the narrator was Death. With that very small introduction, I dove into the book.
Writing Style
For the most part, I really enjoyed the writing style.
The descriptions were vivid and gripping. The language was fluid and natural while also being engrossing and emotional. I often felt very connected to Liesel and her community.
Having Death as narrator provided a non-human view to the grotesque inhumanity that was World War II. Death has a sacrilegious, sarcastic and cynical tone to many of his comments, but his voice is also dripping with sincerity ... Read More
The Book Thief: Insatiable for words
I was initially intrigued by the idea of death recounting the story of the little girl known as the "book thief." That is what drew me to The Book Thief.
I don't read many novels anymore, but when I do, I hope to find something entertaining. Or perhaps it could offer a refreshing new style (e.g. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). Ideally, I also want to learn something new about the world around me, such as a historical period, a certain culture, or the human condition.
I found the plot of The Book Thief engrossing. The mind boggling cruelty that humanity inflicts upon itself is well articulated here -- so is the saving grace of friendship and love.
As for the style, it is quite original, but there ... Read More
What a Change of Pace
I read The Book Thief based on a friend's recommendation and I absolutely loved it. Zusak's style of writing, I found, was incredibly original. A definite page turner. I can't believe that people found The Book Thief to be confusing -- maybe out of the ordinary, but that was the beauty of it. A definite must read for adults.
This is a beautiful book!
I just finished reading The Book Thief and absolutely loved it. The only thing I do not understand is why it is billed as a 'young adult' novel. The content is serious and often quite disturbing. At no time did I feel like I was reading a 'teen' book. This is something that should be read by teens and adults alike.
I won't give a summary of the story - you can read that on the description of the book above. Just know that this is a beautiful book. I loved the writing style and how it was narrated by 'Death'. So cleverly written. This is a book that I want to press into the hands of everyone I know and say "Read this!" Bravo, Mr. Zusak, well done.
Spectacular
This is the best book I have read in years, and I am an avid reader. There are stunning bits of poetry on nearly every page. The "word pictures" as my 8-year-old calls them are elegant & positively evocative of the characters and setting. It was fun to recognize so many German phrases. And Hans is perhaps my favorite hero of fiction. My heart broke reading The Book Thief, not just because of tragedies, but because of the kindness and humanity of Hans Hubermann. I have recommended The Book Thief to everybody I know, my husband loved it, and I know that I will read it again.
