|
The Book Thief |  | Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Category: Book
List Price: $11.99
Buy New: $6.26
as of 3/16/2010 23:27 CDT details
You Save: $5.73 (48%)
New (82) Used (63) from $6.26
Seller: OB1S
Rating:  reviews
Sales Rank: 206
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 576
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 1.5
ISBN: 0375842209
EAN: 9780375842207
ASIN: 0375842209
Publication Date: September 11, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| | |
| Editorial Reviews:
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.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Great Bookclub Book March 16, 2010
Christine A. Parsons (Twin Cities, MN)
I read this as a bookclub pick and while the beginning feels a little slow it is well worth finishing. To quote a friend "It makes you feel".
Kindle version - no editing/formating issues
A thief that gives a lot to the reader March 14, 2010
J. Fink (Phoenix, AZ United States)
This book worked for me on several levels: simple yet captivating prose, memorable characters and scenes, a story that is at once grim, hopeful and oddly whimsical, and a truly unique narrator (Death). It conveys not only the well-known horrors of Nazi Germany but also the many levels of victimhood that dominate all parts of a society at war. The Book Thief should appeal to thoughtful teens as well as adults.
This is NOT "Young Adult" fiction -- it is great fiction for any age. March 13, 2010
C. Love (South Florida)
Oddly, I make my living teaching reading, but ended up listening on audio to what has turned out to be one of my favorite "reads" in the past few years. Narrated by Allan Corduner, who gives "Death", our narrator, the perfect voice -- this book was so compelling I had a hard time turning off my iPod at the end of my commute!
I am not going to rehash the plot as that has been done hundreds of times here. Suffice to say this is a brilliantly told story about finding joy in the smallest things in life -- be they a miniature snow man or a stolen book about grave digging. Add the very somber backdrop of Germany during the worst of WW II, and these small pleasures take on a deep resonance.
There are many themes running through this book but one of the most important ones is that you cannot make instant judgments about people. It may be something as huge as not assuming everyone in Nazi Germany was evil or as simple as realizing the foster mother who swears at you non stop is really a very loving caretaker underneath her bluster. In fact, "Death" may not even be what you think he/she is.
The Book Thief is also a very good "coming of age" story -- which is probably why it was branded "Young Adult" in genre. But fumbling through adolescence while Nazis and Allied bombs are threatening your existence is not your average Judy Blume book.
This book belongs in any high school library, but it also belongs on many adults nightstands.
Read it, read it, read it!!! March 13, 2010
hsenglishteacher (Illinois, USA)
This is one of the best books I have read in a LONG time. The writing is beautiful, and the story is very poignant. The way Zusak uses certain words and phrases together in a way you wouldn't normally is captivating. As a high school English teacher, I have recommended this book to all of my students, colleagues, and friends. The characters stay with you long after you have finished reading. It is funny, sad, enlightening, and thought provoking. I believe that this book is destined to be a classic.
Changed how I look at books March 12, 2010
C. Carow (Seattle, WA)
I first heard about this book when Markus Zusak was talking about it on the radio, and I thought it sounded interesting. The first thing that hooked me was the writing style and perspective - how often do you read books narrated by Death? It's hard not to be intrigued. Though this book is long (it's definitely not an action-filled suspense novel), it's well worth the read. It took me quite a while to finish, but when I finally reached the end, I could not help but cry my eyes out. This book truly changed what I knew about World War II and how I've looked at books since. The Book Thief proves that books really can change your life.
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
| |
