 List Price: $11.99
Lowest Price: $6.45 
Product 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. Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-07-02
brilliant
definitly have a box of kleenex close, this book is amazing, but a tear jerker... Rating:
Date: 2008-07-01
Take and give
This was a wonderful book--not only for young adults, but for the general population. Characters were so well developed that you could really understand and connect to them. There was this repeating theme of "guilt" in many of the characters which reminded me of my upbringing in the 50s and early 60s--religion based and children of the "depression" generation. And, stealing--is it OK to steal if it ia for a good cause and you give back in return? Death-as narrator--what an interesting perspective and one that gave us the sense that death has feelings too. Just thought this whole book was great. So many wonderful people who lived in "heaven". Rating:
Date: 2008-07-01
Brilliant and Unique
This is a wonderfully written book, told from a unique point-of-view.
I really enjoyed reading it, and could not put it down!
Rating:
Date: 2008-06-30
The Book Thief
The title of this book, while apt, does not convey the scope, universality, or profundity of the material. Mr. Zukas writes in a very fluid, descriptive style, which I often found poetic and unexpected. The Holocaust has been the subject of many novels but this one is written from a different perspective. The humanity, bravery, selflessness and inidividualtiy, is sharply contrasted with the cruelty, cowardice, guilt, and pack mentality on both sides. I found this story, although fairly long, to be an engrossing, quick read, especially from the first third to the end. Highly, highly recommended!! Rating:
Date: 2008-06-27
Mesmerizing - absolutely remarkable
It is a rare thing for me to be compulsive about a book; a book that, when you are not actively reading it, occupys your mind, where you can't wait for a free moment to return to the story. _The Book Thief_ did this to me. The characters were compelling, the writing was beautiful, the story had me mesmerized, and the narrator, well, the narrator had my complete and rapt attention.
_The Book Theif_ is about the four years of young Lisel Meminger's life between childhood and adulthood. It is also about her growing up in Nazi Germany, witnessing the evil perpetrated during that time and learning about right and wrong. Narrated by Death, (an interesting choice, I thought, although certainly a neutral observer), the broader philosophical issues of morality and guilt are addressed: is it moral to steal books? food? Jews? Should one feel guilty for these acts? For becoming (or not becoming) apart of the Nazi machine? Should one feel guilty for surviving these horrible times? Deep questions, to be sure; Zusak, however, is a brilliant enough writer to ask these questions subtly.
On the topic of the brilliance of the writing - Zusak's writing is powerful and beautiful. Its been a long, long time since I outright bawled reading a novel. I did so with _The Book Thief_. I was literally emotionally wrung out at the completion of the story. This book without doubt warrants five stars. Suitable for young adults? As with so many things, it depends on the young adult; still, an exceptional read with my highest recommendation. |
