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The Book Thief | 
 enlarge | Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $11.99
Buy New: $7.12
You Save: $4.87 (41%)
New (55) Used (23) Collectible (1) from $6.96
Avg. Customer Rating:  415 reviews
Sales Rank: 164
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
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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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 410 more reviews...
 I liked it, but wouldn't read again. October 13, 2008
The amount of five star reviews on this book is not surprising because it was an interesting and engaging read. The story is written in a style I have never encountered before and I was engrossed throughout.
The reason it gets a three star review from me is because its not a book I'd buy, put on my book shelf and read over and over again.
Was it good? Yes.
Did I enjoy it? Yes.
What it original and unique? Yes.
Would I read it again? Not likely.
 engrossing October 12, 2008
The is probably one of the best books I have ever read in my like. The author has struck up a methodology of writing that is very unique and as such is very captivating. It's a book about a subject - death - done in such a way that the reader will never forget the essence of the book.
If you are open to reading something very intriguing, sad, yet optomistic, give this book a try.
Fresh concept, honest characters October 10, 2008
I read the first few pages of this book standing in line at the bookstore. The beginning was mysterious, but started to paint a picture of a narrator that seemed defeated. The narrator turns out to be Death, speaking to us from the Nazi Germany during WW2. Death, ironically, is afraid of humans. This set the book off with a delightfully fresh concept.
The story is not meant to be a complex one, though there are a number of complex themes in the book. It involves Death, who comes to us during a busy time for him in world history--the Second World War. He follows the story of a young girl who goes to live with a foster family. The simplicity of following her development, her friends, her foster parents, and her time in the Hitler Youth make this book very honest. Though there is a clear plot, revealed partially in the beginning and unfolded properly by the end of the book, the characters that are established are what I particularly enjoyed.
Some of the themes of this book are Death (obviously) and the human reaction to it (Him?) and words--Hitler is known to be a master of words and propaganda and the girl followed in the book learns to read and write through (mostly) stolen books. She shows a parallel power of words as Death learns her story mostly through the book she wrote.
The book is tragic at times, but still ends without leaving the reader feeling empty. If you read this book, don't expect Heaven and Earth to be moved. Read it to meet the characters and, possibly, grow to care for them. I had never heard of it before I saw it in the bookstore. I read it because the first few pages drew me in. I only found out about the hype after the fact. No expectations and reading just to enjoy it are the way to go with this book. It is simple, subtle, and astonishingly good.
Surprise October 6, 2008
A group of ladies (all over 65) decided that even though we meet once a month, we needed at least once during the year to read and review a book. Book thief was suggested, but acknowledged that it was during a depressing time of history. I thought I would read the book and then get on to more pleasant reading. I was surprised at what an excellent book this was. I found the story, completely fascinating, and the point of view of the narrator to be excellent. I couldn't put it down. It was a depressing time in Nazi Germany, but a new look at the era. Great book
A heartwarming tale October 3, 2008
A heartwarming tale that grabs you by the hand and never lets you go till the end. This is a tale of a pre-teen girl living and growing up in Nazi Germany. It tells of her joys and sorrows and the interesting people she meets along the way. As the title implies, she steals books. The young girl in the story thirsts for knowledge and so begins her book stealing career as a way to understand the world around her. I personally loved this book because it delves into the "other" Germany--the people who had no choice or say in their government's policies and atrocities but were in many ways just as much victims as Germany's other enemies.
The story is told by death and he/she/it constantly interrupts to give the reader certain insights. I found that off putting at first and I was really irritated by the constant interruptions. But it gets better either because I began to mind the interruptions alot less, or because the interruptions become less frequent. The story will make you laugh and there were times that I thought that my heart would burst cause I was so tense. I almost cried during certain scenes cause you feel the lack of humanity in some people and the surprising boldness of others to take a stand for goodness. A delightful tale and I would highly recommend it.
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