Product Description

The story of a young German girl who steals books, of her family and the Jewish boxer hidden in their basement as they struggle to survive in Nazi Germany when the bombs begin to fall.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-01
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

Synopsis
1939 - Nazi Germany - The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall. Some important information - this novel is narrated by death. It's a small story, about: a girl; an accordionist; some fanatical Germans; a Jewish fist fighter; and quite a lot of thievery. Another thing you should know - death will visit the book thief three times.

From the Back Cover
`Brilliant and hugely ambitious' New York Times

`Extraordinary, resonant, beautiful and angry'
Sunday Telegraph

HERE IS A SMALL FACT

YOU ARE GOING TO DIE

1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier.

Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall.

SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION
THIS NOVEL IS NARRATED BY DEATH

It's a small story, about:

a girl

an accordionist

some fanatical Germans

a Jewish fist fighter

and quite a lot of thievery.

ANOTHER THING YOU SHOULD KNOW
DEATH WILL VISIT THE BOOK THIEF THREE TIMES

About the Author
Markus Zusak, a prize-winning author, lives in Sydney with his wife and daughter. The Doubleday hardback of The Book Thief , published at the beginning of January 07, stayed in the top ten of the Sunday Times bestsellers for nine weeks. It was published to critical acclaim in Australia and in America where it reached No. 1 on the The New York Times bestsellers list. Film rights have been optioned by the makers of The Devil Wears Prada.

Customer Reviews

A great read!
I love the way this story is told by the character 'Death' and it reminds me slightly of Terry Pratchett's character 'Death'. This story focuses on the characters lives and relationships and doesn't go into details about the war, which is refreshing. The characters are portrayed very well and the ending is absolutely brilliant. Highly recommended read.

worth the effort
Not my usual sort of book I don't really know why I started to read it - the reviews I suppose! Set during World War II it deals with familiar issues but with a fresh look. It took me a little while to get into it as the style of writing is a little disjointed and certainly unusual. But you soon get used to the different descriptive style and the characters suck you in and make you their friend. A beautiful book that will stay with you forever. The ending is bitter sweet, inevitable but gives true closure to the story. What are you waiting for, read it!

a fantastic read
This is definitely one of the most beautifully written books i have ever read. i had my doubts about this book before i read it, due to the fact it was centred around the inhabitants of germany during the second world war. i didn't think i could feel any sympathy for the characters, but after reading the book thief my whole perspective on WW2 has changed. the main character, Liesel, is adorable and I loved the realtionship betwwen her and her best friend Rudy, and the hilarious one between her foster parents. the end of the book is heartbreaking and will stay with you long after you have finished reading.