Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 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

A small story which took far too long to tell.
I was disappointed by this book after all the rave reviews. I found it superficial and unchallenging, and the style, while occasionally producing an interesting image or metaphor, was generally pretentious and irritating. This book is fine for teenagers who need books which are not too difficult or for those adults who enjoy Harry Potter, but if you enjoy a more grown up view of the world and a more mature writing style, you would probably find this book unsatisfying.

A little footnote: this is a small story which could have been written in half the space.

different
This is a book that you read slowly.

And slowly you are drawn in and understand the magnitude of what really is happening.

i often forgot who was narrating the book... eeryyyyy

Dont breeze through this book, take your time, let it sink in and it will be a fabulous experience.

I especially liked the way those BOLD letters appear... sumarises so much and helps understand even more.

Different
I almost gave up on this book, I struggled with it for a while. Once I had got into it I could'nt put it down! It was totally different, narrated by Death, who at times could be a real softie. Liesel goes to live with foster parents, the Hubermanns during WW2,she makes friends with Rudy, she loves and steals books, and the Hubermanns take in a jew called Max, who they hide in the basement. They all seem to live on pea soup, and little else. Very moving at times, I am so glad I stuck with it, I loved it, and would highly recommend it.