THE BOOK THIEF

by Markus Zusak and read by Allan Corduner

  

Zusak, Markus and read by Allan Corduner. 2013. THE BOOK THIEF. New York: Listening Library (Audio). ISBN 9780804168434. (Unabridged CD audiobook – 11 disks)

Plot Summary:

The only fantastical event the story reveals is that the narrator is the personified figure of Death. Other that that, this contemporary realistic fiction story unfolds in the early years of World War II in Nazi Germany. The protagonist is a nine-year old illiterate girl who in her short life has been abandoned by her father, seen the death of her younger brother, given away by her mother, and this all happens in the prologue. The narrator reveals the story of a girl named Liesel Meminger, also known as The Book Thief, and how she becomes the book thief, her life on Himmel Street in Molching, Germany, the love she shares with her foster parents, their hidden secret, her coming of age and story of survival. Even as Liesel is shown to be illiterate at the beginning of the story, her passion for books is shown throughout the tale and grows throughout the story. This is an excellent book for children, teenagers and adults who are interested in historical fiction, the World War II era, young female protagonists, and all together great storytelling. This book has been adapted into a movie, but one always gains more from experiencing the book before being engulfed by the movie.      

Critical Analysis:

The characters of Liesel Meminger, the Book Thief, Rosa and Hans Hubermann, Liesel’s loving foster parents, Rudy Steiner, Liesel’s best friend, Max Vandenburg, jewish boy the Hubermanns are hiding, and the neighbors on Himmel Street are all so excellently depicted that the reader becomes attached to each one. The interactions between the characters, both positive and negative, builds to the point where they are all one community that is greater than the individuals themselves. Each has their own story, which is revealed as the tale unfolds.   

The story takes place between 1939 and 1943 in the midst of World War II in the German town of Molching, which is a suburb of Munich. As a reader, one can understand historical implications of this setting and the dangers that war can bring. These dangers become evident as air raid sirens blare and bombs begin to fall. 

The main theme of the story is the growing up and survival of a young girl who has so much taken away in her youth, yet she still fights to survive. The story is of Liesel’s experience of love and sacrifice, tolerance and intolerance, of sin and redemption which young readers will be able to experience vicariously through the Book Thief themselves.   

The story is predominantly in English, but German words and phrases, especially of German swear words, are scattered throughout. This is an added bonus for the young reader to feel the intensity of the German language, with some harsh terms that help give the characters color, humanity and believability. This book is tailored towards older teenagers and young adults due to the sometimes mature subject matter and occasional foul language.

The protagonist is a young German girl with brown eyes in a time when the color of one’s eyes could be dangerous. She is proud to be German, but does not staunchly adhere to the Nazi's beliefs. This is plainly evident in her and her family’s involvement with hiding a young Jewish man in the basement of their home.   

Audiobook analysis:

The audiobook is read by a single reader with no sound effects except for the introduction and ending accordion music that is played, which also has relevance to the story. The story is mainly narrated, so the voice of the narrator is what is heard the most. However, when the main characters do speak, their individual voices are projected very individualistically so the listener is aware of who is speaking at all times. It begins with a prologue to give the listener an overview of the surroundings and ends with an epilogue to reveal the events that happened after those of the story. It is written so well and the reading done so impeccably that the listener is glued to every word until the accordion music plays through the end.  

Review Excerpt:

Winning numerous “Best Book” awards, the novel is the 2007 winner of the Michael L. Printz Honor book.

Francisca Goldsmith writes for the School Library Journal, “Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward. Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesels story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves. An extraordinary narrative.”

Connections:

The Book Thief has many connections to the story due to its setting during World War II. I have read a few historical novels and historical fiction within this same time period such as THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and MILA 18 by Leon Uris, each having very different themes.

The narrative by death also reminded me of Neil Gaiman’s graphic novels about Death, such as DEATH: THE HIGH COST OF LIVING and where Death is personified as a young woman named Didi.

Personal Response:

I truly enjoyed listening to the novel in audiobook format. Not only did Mr. Allan Corduner read the word of the novel, but he brought life to them. By using different voices for the characters and using intonation and inflection to make them more dramatic, the story was never boring. Each turn of the story left me wanting to know what happens next.  

References:

Page Turners Blog. (2013). THE BOOK THIEF audio book cover. Retrieved from http://www.pageturnersblog.com/2013_06_01_archive.html

YALSA. (2013). Michael L. Printz winner and honor books. Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/bookawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners