The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

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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... read more

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis

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Summary

The Book Thief is about a young girl who loses everything she's ever known. But what she doesn't know, is that sometimes the best things can come out of a bad situation. When Liesel moves into 33 Himmel street, she finds a friend in Rudy(her neighbor) and her papa Hans. As the book... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Cast of Characters

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Death: Death itself narrates the story.
Liesel Meminger: The Book Thief.
Hans Huberman: Liesel's foster father.
Rosa Huberman: Liesel's foster mother.
Rudy Steiner: Leisel's best friend, and partner in crime.
Max Vandenberg: A Jewish fistfighter.
Ilsa Hermann: Wife of the mayor of Liesel's town; owner of a library where Liesel's book thieving career begins to pick up pace.

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Memorable Quotes

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“**A reassuring Announcement** Please, be calm, despite that previous threat. I am all bluster- I am not violent. I am not malicious. I am a result.”
Death
“I'm always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both. Still, they have one thing I envy. Humans, if nothing else, have the good sense to die.”
Death
“"I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race - that rarely do I ever simply estimate it".”
Death
“*** A LAST NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR *** I am haunted by humans.”
Death
“This time, Mr.Steiner placed his hand on Rudy's head and explained, "I know, son- but you've got beautiful blond hair and big, safe blue eyes. You should be happy with that; is that clear?" But nothing was clear.”
“"Here is one small fact. You are going to die."”
“"You've done enough."”
Max
““He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world. She was the book thief without the words. Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain.””
“"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."”
Liesel
“"Sometimes I arrive too early. I rush, and some people cling longer to life than expected."”
Death
“***September-November 1939*** 1. World War Two begins. 2. Liesel Meminger becomes the heavyweight champion of the school yard. - Death - /DG”
“"It's the story of one of those perpetual survivors- an expert at being left behind."”
Death
“"For some reason, dying men always ask questions they know the answer to. Perhaps it's so they can die being right."”
Death
“Perhaps 3 medals had shown what he'd wanted to show, or he was afraid to lose that final race. In the end, the only explanation that she allowed herself to hear was an inner teenage voice. "Because he isn't Jesse Owens." - Brian M.”
Liesel - pg. 364
“It kills me sometimes, how people die.”
Death
“She tore a page from the book and ripped it in half. Then a chapter. Soon there was nothing but scraps of words littered between her legs and all around her. The words. Why did they have to exist? Without them, there wouldn't be any of this...What good were the words?”
“So many colors. So many humans.”
Death
“"Often I wish this would all be over, Liesel, but then somehow you do something like walk down the basement steps with a snowman in your hands."”
Max
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