Product Description

The story of a young orphan girl who steals books, about her foster family and the Jewish boxer hidden in their basement as they struggle to survive in Nazi Germany, narrated by the voice of Death.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65955 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

The Guardian
Unsettling, thought-provoking, life-affirming, triumphant and
tragic, this is a novel of breath-taking scope, masterfully told...A
wonderful page-turner.

Lisa Hilton, Sunday Telegraph
Extraordinary, resonant and relevant, beautiful and angry.

Marianne Brace, Independent on Sunday
A moving work which will make many eyes brim.

Customer Reviews

What a gifted writer
This book was accidently left on a bus and I wasn't even one quarter through. What did I do? I re-purchased it of course, also thanks to the fact that I purchased it both times with a great discount price, how could I not have? I would have missed out the opportunity to read such a good though tragic story. The author makes the story somewhat humorous in some parts to take off the horrific and sorrowful edge of what really happened in that time of history. It was a lovely read and the description of each character made you feel like you were right there viewing their actions. It was sad in many parts, heartwarming in others and you grew to like all the protagonists. I also liked the fact that many German words were thrown in and explained or simply translated, making an even more realistic Nazi Germany era impact on the reader. The author is highly talented and very clever.

Incredible - quite possibly the best book ever
I finished this book last night, rather poignantly on Armistice Day. I was blown away. I had no idea that this was a book for "young adults" but I certainly recommend that everyone of any age reads it. This novel is beautifully written and I found I was carrying the story around with me and thinking about the lives of these characters even when I wasn't actually reading the book. I read most of it on the train and decided to finish it off at home last night - good job I did too because I was literally sobbing my heart out by the end. I don't mean my eyes welled up with tears and I sniffed a little, I mean I was bawling my eyes out. I think quite simply that this is the best book I have ever read - the characters become real and even though you are warned at the very beginning that there will be losses and tragedy, it still hits you like you didn't see it coming. I was rooting for Liesel and her friends and family. I was even moved by the Narrator, Death, who in one sense claims he is only doing his job (like so many who worked in the Nazi Regime)but who is still touched by the the sparks of light from the human spirit in a world that is awash with darkness. I have never cried so much over a story, nor been so hopeful and uplifted at the same time. I should also mention, by no means as an afterthought, that it is also very very funny, with extra points going to Rosa Hubermann, Liesel's Mama. Please read this story and let it stay with you - discover it for yourself - you won't regret a moment spent on reading it.

Delicately written, thoughtful and meaningful.
I won't go in to the details of this book because I don't want to ruin any of it for you, the story is very unique and told from an unusual perspective.

I just loved this! It's very rare that I keep hold of a book, I usually pass it to a friend to read but I found myself buying additional copies for my friends so that they could share the beauty of it.

This book is just outstanding! I wouldn't usually read this type of book, I thought it was going to be heart-wrenching and gritty which it actually was, but it was done in such a delicate manner that I just enjoyed reading it so much.

I was quite sorry I read it so quickly, I would have liked to keep the joy of reading it for longer.

Buy it, read it, keep it.