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It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger and her younger brother are being taken by their mother to live with a foster family outside Munich. Liesel's father was taken away on the breath of a single, unfamiliar word – Kommunist – and Liesel sees the fear of a similar fate in her mother's eyes. On the journey, Death visits the young boy, and notices Liesel. It will be the first of many near encounters. 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, 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.
The Book Thief is a story about the power of words to make worlds. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
About the Author
Markus Zusak lives in Sydney with his wife. He has written four novels for young adults: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry and The Messenger. This is his first adult novel.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 5 reviews)
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100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
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Reviewed by 5 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-5
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Comments about The Book Thief:
one of my favourite books, very meaningful!
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Comments about The Book Thief:
This book was selected by a member of my book club and I am so glad that it was. It's not the sort of fiction that I normally read but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Would highly recommend.
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Comments about The Book Thief:
Wonderful reading, insights into those difficult times in wartorn germany,easy reading, compelling
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Comments about The Book Thief:
amazing book
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Comments about The Book Thief:
It took me a long time to get around to reading this book. I just didn't believe the hype. It's not just a good book, it is a book about goodness and kindness. The story is moving and gently funny. Buy it and give it away.
Displaying reviews 1-5
ISBN: 9780330423304
ISBN-10: 0330423304
Audience:
General
Format:
Paperback
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 592
Published: March 2008
Dimensions (cm): 19.9 x 12.8
x 3.0
Weight (kg): 0.383
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