| | |  | Jewelry | Home » » The Book Thief | | | | | | | Description: | | It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
From the Hardcover edition. | | | Features: | |
• ISBN13: 9780375842207
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
•
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Markus Zusak | | Paperback:
| 576 pages | | Publisher:
| Alfred A. Knopf | | Publication Date:
| September 11, 2007 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0375842209 | | Package Length:
| 7.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.2 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.5 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.0 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 724 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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 Book Nerds ReviewNov 19, 2009
I have a horrible memory, so one of the most redeeming qualities for me, for a book, is when I can remember it. When it touches me so much that I remember scenes and lines, and images the author created months after having read it. There are a few books I can do that for and The Book Thief is no exception. I read this book in December of 08, and I can still remember most of the plot, some of the things the characters said, and overall my incredible love for Liesel. At such a young age she's already learning so much about life and death, things that a nine year old should not have to deal with. The Book Thief is a good lesson about the Holocaust, even the people who seemed to have it good, or better than others, still had it horrible.
Liesel is followed by the narrator from the time when her brother dies and she steals her first book, until the end of the story. And her story is by far heart-wrenching, but also shows the power that kids have: of imagination and the ability to think for themselves. She's a strong girl, with a strong heart, and the ability to know right from wrong even when the entire world around her is denying anything is wrong. My absolute favourite memory of Liesel is actually when she sees the library in the Mayor's house for the first time. I have grown up around libraries and book stores my entire life - My mom used to have closets full of books - I have never been deprived of reading. And yet the Mayor's library is like a treasure trove for Liesel, and through Zusak's writing I honestly felt as if - reading that revelation for Liesel - I had never seen so many books before. I felt her excitement, her amazement at the rows and rows of books. I was in awe right along with her.
Other than Liesel, my favourite part of this book, is the writing. I have read so many books in my life, but honestly, never before have I read such a hauntingly beautiful story as I did in The Book Thief. There are so many passages in the book that take ordinary things that we see everyday and put completely new meaning to them.
"Summer came. For the book thief, everything was going nicely. For me, the sky was the color of Jews."
Excerpt pg. 340, The Book Thief
This paragraph reminds me of the saying `If walls could talk' - and changing it to `If the sky could talk' - it has definitely seen a lot more then the inside of a house. And Zusak does an amazing job at illustrating that.
My absolute favourite part of the entire book, is something you either love or you hate about it: the narrator. If you read any review on this book you will notice that they always mention the narrator. Being of course, Death, himself. Most people love this, some do hate it though. I am one of the former, but even being one of the later you have to admit that this is something unique. As a designer, I often find myself saying that `There are no original ideas, just new takes on old ones', and often times that applies to books as well. This is something that I have never seen done before, a story from the point of view of Death? Especially in such a place experiencing death in such an excruciating way. The Book Thief gives a whole new meaning to the past, and to having sympathy for the Devil... or well Death, at least.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Incredible writing and unforgettable charactersNov 17, 2009
"Because I could not stop for Death --
He kindly stopped for me --
The Carriage held but just Ourselves --
And Immortality." ~Emily Dickinson
I was somewhat reluctant to read this book. I have read quite a few books about WW2 recently and I find this period to be fascinating but also very depressing. I have to take these books in small doses; however, all the rave reviews finally compelled me to pick it up and boy am I glad I did. This book was without a doubt the best book I have read in a long time. It grabbed me and didn't let me go.
This book is told from a different point of view than what I have read in the past - the struggle of good ordinary people living in Nazi Germany who are helpless to the tragic events that are changing and ruining their lives. The characters in the book are simply unforgettable and what makes this book so powerful. In an interview, Zusak said that this is the first time he has ever missed his characters. I think anyone that reads this book will also miss Liesel, Rudy, Hans, Rosa, and Max.
The writing style of Zusak is quite different in that the narrator is Death. Some reviewers found it off putting but I found it to be unique and enjoyable. The author has a real way with words and figurative language. His use of imagery is powerful. In one interview he was asked about his writing style and he said, "I like the idea that every page in every book can have a gem on it. It's probably what I love most about writing - that words can be used in a way that's like a child playing in a sandpit, rearranging things, swapping them around." His response to that question explains why I enjoyed this book so much because I think he succeeded. The amazing thing to me is this book was published when he was just 30. That is incredible to me. I look forward to reading his other books and any other books he writes in the future. He has set the bar very high for me.
Painfully Beautiful, Masterfully WrittenNov 15, 2009
An Epic piece of literature. So rare does a book capture a tragic time in history from such a unique perspective and in such a poetic way. Should be read by everyone. I kept marking the pages where the phrasing was so lyrical and well written - so I could go back and re-read it - ended up marking numerous pages. Definately goes on my Top Shelf where only a select few of my all time favorites are. Seems like the author was born to write this piece of art to share with and move the world.
used book qualityNov 14, 2009
the book was in excellent condition for used
only problem was that I tried to cancel it as amazon gave me unrealistic ship time--cancelled--then told could not cancel as it shipped day after I ordered. Now I have 2 of same book coming.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Hmm...Nov 12, 2009
...it didn't move me.
Before I began reading it, I was curious about how this novel could have accrued so many accolades...and yet also, some really scathing reviews. The book's blurbs were *so* effusive. It seemed like reading it was going to be a real experience for me, a truly transcendent experience.
It wasn't. On either count.
It's well-written.
Its often pithy and almost point-form style makes the subject matter easier to process. (Not that I needed it to be; I'm an adult reading a piece of young adult literature.)
And the characters are almost all interesting and well-shaped.
But it wasn't a memorable story. I didn't find myself not wanting to put it down. In fact, I found myself in 'dutiful reader' mode.
I'm glad that this story was written. I'm glad that so many people have clutched it to their chests. And I'm glad for the author's success.
It just didn't do it for me...regardless of its category.
(Personal rating: 7/10)
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