The Book Thief

Critics

• THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

  “There were certainly some rounds to be made that year, from Poland to Russia to Africa and back again. You might argue that I made the rounds no matter what year it is, but sometimes the human race likes to crank things up a little. They increase th ... (read full critics)

  mostlyfiction published on Thu, 30 Sep 2010

• 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak

  I may possibly be the last person in blogland to have read the much acclaimed The Book Thief, one of those children's books that has crossed over into the adult market and become subject to incredible word-of-mouth marketing, helped, no doubt, by all ... (read full critics)

  readingmatters published on Tue, 28 Sep 2010

55 Reviews

• 7 people find this helpful

  *** This comment contains spoilers! ***

  

  The Book Thief

  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I never imagined I would feel uplifted by a book about Nazi Germany. I really admired the spunk of the main character Liesel and her best mate Rudy. Their adventures made me smile, which again, I never expected from a novel about Nazi German ... (continue)

  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I never imagined I would feel uplifted by a book about Nazi Germany. I really admired the spunk of the main character Liesel and her best mate Rudy. Their adventures made me smile, which again, I never expected from a novel about Nazi Germany.

  I felt like Himmel Street was my second residence for the duration of this book. I came to love Liesel, Hans, Rosa, Rudy and Max. I cried when Liesel saw Max being marched to a concentration camp. I cried again when the bombs came to Himmel Street.

  I haven't been so moved by a book in quite some time. Markus Zusak, the author, has an extraordinary talent.

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  Ukdawg said on Aug 2, 2008 | Add your feedback

• 4 people find this helpful

  

  I loved this book! I found it slow going at times, but overall and in the end I loved it. Markus Zusak is a wonderful author, I can't wait to see what he does next. Death, the narrator, wa a unique and interesting perspective. Liesel's love for words and books was especially interesting and nice to ... (continue)

  I loved this book! I found it slow going at times, but overall and in the end I loved it. Markus Zusak is a wonderful author, I can't wait to see what he does next. Death, the narrator, wa a unique and interesting perspective. Liesel's love for words and books was especially interesting and nice to see.

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  SheReads said on Mar 6, 2007 about the Hardcover edition | 1 feedback

• 2 people find this helpful

  

  The Book Thief stole my heart...

  The Book Thief took me a while to warm up to. Initially I was a little put off by Zusak's writing style, with all his flashforwards and flashbacks and asides and point-of-view switching. But as I read on, I grew more attached to Liesel and the rest. Soon I was drawn deep into the story, an ... (continue)

  The Book Thief took me a while to warm up to. Initially I was a little put off by Zusak's writing style, with all his flashforwards and flashbacks and asides and point-of-view switching. But as I read on, I grew more attached to Liesel and the rest. Soon I was drawn deep into the story, and then I realized - with a wow - that Zusak was creating a masterpiece.

  No, the book isn't just another story about Nazi Germany. It's about a side rarely seen or discussed (oh those clueless and innocent Germans), about courage (helping your enemy in full view of your own army?), about death (such a pitiful job being Death!), and most of all - in my opinion - about the power of words (hence "The BOOK thief").

  This book demonstrates the paradoxical truth again: Words are the worst toxin, corroding hearts from within, spreading to entire nations; words are the best nutrient, nourishing minds and souls, saving the whole human race. Our lives hinge on our use of words.

  It might take a book lover to understand my point, but anyone will love this book.

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  Holmes said on Apr 29, 2011 | Add your feedback

• 

  I just finished reading this book.
  And I cried. From "The end of the world (part II)" onwards I was actually sobbing.
  I knew what was coming. Death told us in advance.
  But still, it was unberable.
  Wonderful book.
  The writing style it's gripping and the caracthers... I loved them all. Hans "Papp ... (continue)

  I just finished reading this book.
  And I cried. From "The end of the world (part II)" onwards I was actually sobbing.
  I knew what was coming. Death told us in advance.
  But still, it was unberable.
  Wonderful book.
  The writing style it's gripping and the caracthers... I loved them all. Hans "Pappa" in particular.

  Brilliant.

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  TomteNadia said on Apr 9, 2012 | Add your feedback

• total crap

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  Stephen Pattison said on Apr 9, 2012 about the eBook edition | Add your feedback

• 1 person find this helpful

  

  An interesting narrative from the best narrator of all time - who else could be a better fit to narrate such a story than Death himself?
  The better part of the book seems unassuming and rather uninteresting about the daily lives of a young girl in a war-time German town. But before you know it, the ... (continue)

  An interesting narrative from the best narrator of all time - who else could be a better fit to narrate such a story than Death himself?
  The better part of the book seems unassuming and rather uninteresting about the daily lives of a young girl in a war-time German town. But before you know it, the seeds of each character have been planted in your heart and have grown so much on you that you won't be able to forget them.
  If only you are patient and stay with the girl and her story until the end, you will be rewarded with one of the most emotional rides of your life.
  The human race is haunting, indeed.

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  Clement said on Dec 28, 2011 | Add your feedback

See all 55 comments

Book Details

• Rating:
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• English Books
• Paperback 576 Pages
• ISBN-10: 0375842209
• ISBN-13: 9780375842207
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Pub date: Sep 11, 2007
• Also available as: Hardcover, Audio CD, Others and eBook
• In other languages: other languages 繁體書, 简体书, 和書, Livres Français, Deutsche Bücher, Libros en Español, Livros em Português, llibres en català, Libri Italiani, Danske bøger, Российские Книги, Nederlandse Boeken, Česká kniha, Norske Bøker, Polskie Książki, Svenska böcker, Suomenkielisiä kirjoja, Ελληνικά βιβλία

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