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The Book Thief

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The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak
Narrated by: Dennis Olsen
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About this listen

The award-winning novel that established Markus Zusak as an international brand.

It is 1939, Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.

So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, and wherever there are books to be found. But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish fist-fighter in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

©2005 Markus Zusak (P)2006 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Producer Heather Steen.
Death & Dying Family & Relationships Historical Fiction Young Adult Fiction Heartfelt Tear-jerking Fostering

What listeners say about The Book Thief

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poetry in motion

beautifully written & narrated
so much love for Leisel mennengar & her beloved papa and max and mumma. love love love....and death soft as a cloud carrying the children in his arms.

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I love this book

The narrator does a great job with this book. His low gravelly tone is great as the Death character.

The last chapter always makes me cry no matter how many times I listen to it.

Well worth the listen or read.

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A Beautiful Book

A beautiful book. A heart felt story with a smattering of humour. Very well written and intriguing.

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The book thief

I first read this book when it came out and loved it. the film was also well worth a watch. really enjoyed listening to it as it's one of my favourites books of all time. well read by Dennis Olsen.

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fantastic book!

The narrator was so good, it made for very easy listening. The book itself is such a well written book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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The best and worst of humanity

When I started reading this book, I was worried it was going to be utterly depressing. Then I became immersed in the lives of the central characters.... when I wasn't listening to the story I was often wondering what was going to happen next, and looking forward to picking the story up again. Through the world of a small group of characters, the author takes you through a very personal experience of Nazi Germany, with unexpected light in the worst darkness.


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audio

The book is great, but the audio was a bit difficult to listen to - too much variation with sound (some parts were a whisper echo, and between sections - not only with each chapter - there was an accordion played which as the book progressed, was longer and longer, and it was much louder than the readings)

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Fantastic narration with incredible characters

I adored the narration! Probably my favourite performance ever from an audiobook. Dennis Olsen is captivating as Death.

What lets this book down for me was the absence of a real plot. Liesel had no real goal she was striving toward and I think that's what I need to truly fall in love with a book. Still . . . I adored this and will probably listen to it again in the future.

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Incredible Book

I saw the movie for this a while ago and forgot most of what happened. Hence I was tentative in giving it a go when a friend suggested it. I'm glad I did though as this truly is one of the best books I've ever read.

So beautiful, yet sad. So much depth

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amazing. will reread this delicate performance

this was a memorable read and one that will stay with me forever. the book thief has changed the way I look at nazi Germany

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