THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. 2006. New York:  Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375931007

Audio book:

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. Read by Allan Corduner. 2006. New York:  Random House Listening Library. ISBN 0739338005

Markus Zusak reprised his Michael Printz honor award with The Book Thief, easily, one of the best books I've ever read in both style and story.   Brilliantly told from Death's perspective, World War II Germany comes alive as we experience the lives of Liesel Meminger, her foster parents, Mama and Papa Hubermann, her best friend Rudy, and her Jewish hero, Max.  We enter a period of history that nightmares are made of and survive it through the eyes of a young girl and the people who love and sacrifice for her, and the freedom only a book thief could know.

Zusak writes the story in ten parts of about nine chapters each, a prologue and epilogue.  He uses lists to help Death describe parts of the story which lends to its unique structure.  A Kirkus review notes, “The writing is elegant, philosophical, and moving. “  Zusak's prose is poetic in its rich imagery.  Each character, place, and event so skillfully described that the words live and breathe.  His word craft makes Papa's love as tangible as Mama's chaffing exterior, and Rudy's endearing antics as palpable as Max's intensity.  In describing Hans Hubermann, Liesel's foster father, “Death" says of his eyes, "They were made of kindness, and silver.  Like soft silver, melting.  Liesel, upon seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot." 

The plot contains a full plate of emotions.  There are lavish and prolific helpings of love and hate, humor and horror, joy and sadness, to name a few.  Themes of fear, survival, sacrifice, and friendship are strong and poignant.  Given the historic reality of the sobering subject matter, this book is recommended for readers ages 12 and up. 

Several book parings come to mind in promoting this book.  Hitler Youth by
Susan Bartoletti deals with the world that Liesel and Rudy found themselves in.  Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin deals with the fear children experience under tyrannical governments.  Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables touches the desperation that leads one to steal. 

The unabridged audio book is 14 hours on 11 discs.  Allan Corduner's performance is superb in every way.  His accent fits the story, and given that his mother is German, the German expressions sound 100% authentic.  His voice is always rich and clear while he captures the gentleness of Papa, the harsh mask of Mama, the innocence of Rudy, the determination of Max, and the unique persona of Death.  “When Death tells a story we pay attention” (Kirkus review) and this story is one that makes even Death draw a breath.