The Book Thief / I Am the Messenger

by Markus Zusak

Two award-winning modern classics from #1 New York Times bestselling author Markus Zusak!   The Book Thief affirms the ability of books to feed the soul even in the bleakest of times in a story the New York Times described as “brilliant. . . . the kind of book that can be life-changing.” It is 1939. Nazi Germany. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who 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.  I Am the Messenger is a Printz Honor-winning novel and recipient of five starred reviews that tells the story of Ed Kennedy, an underage cabdriver without much of a future. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first ace arrives in the mail. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question Who's behind Ed's mission?   Discover the enormous talent that is Marcus Zusak in this extraordinary collection that showcases the intensity and heart inherent in his storytelling.DON’T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK’S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

576 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Markus Zusak is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, The Book Thief , which spent more than a decade on the New York Times bestseller list, and is translated into more than forty languages – establishing Zusak as one of the most successful authors to come out of Australia.

To date, Zusak has held the number one position at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, the New York Times bestseller list, as well as in countries across South America, Europe and Asia.

His books, The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry (also titled Getting the Girl ), The Messenger (or I am the Messenger ) and The Book Thief have been awarded numerous honours ranging from literary prizes to readers choice awards to prizes voted on by booksellers.

Zusak’s much-anticipated new novel, Bridge of Clay , is set for release in October 2018 in the USA, the UK and Australia, with foreign translations to follow.

Reviews

[Zoe MacGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason, Goodreads doesn't have The Book Theif in their collections. This is the next best thing. I have not read I Am The Messenger.

[Botezatu Mihaela Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book. The destiny of Liesel Meminger surprised me a lot. I was happy and sad. She didn't have a beautiful and happy live. I recommend it for you all!

[Denaaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Markus Zusak!!! The book has an amazing story and a main character who you will totally fall in love with! Also the message of this book Is really inspiring. I definitely recommend this book!

[Lois Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favourite books, and excellent read

[Dequan Carreker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can read this book over and over again and still feel every emotion with as much intensity as the first time. I love this book for the way it forces you to feel and connect with every character.

[Gaylynne Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely life changing.

[Jung · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak is a literary phenomenon that has captured readers' hearts since its publication in 2006. The story is narrated by Death, who pays attention to colors as he carries away souls during the horrors of Nazi Germany. One of the humans who catches Death's eye is Liesel Memminger, a young book thief. Liesel's first stolen book is "The Gravedigger's Handbook," taken from her brother's gravesite.

Liesel's life takes a turn when she's placed with her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, on Himmel Strasse. Life on Himmel Street is far from heavenly, and Liesel struggles with school and yearns for her mother and brother. She steals books and begins to learn to read with Hans' help. The stolen books become her connection to her family.

As Liesel's world evolves in Nazi Germany, she steals more books, including "Mein Kampf" during a book-burning event. She befriends Rudy Steiner, and their lives intersect with the Jewish character Max Vandenburg. Max hides in the Hubermanns' basement, and Liesel's relationship with him leads to friendship and bonding through words.

The story portrays the courage and complicity of ordinary people during WWII. The Hubermanns, Max, and Liesel exhibit both bravery and compliance in the face of Nazism. The book also explores how words and stories can be both redemptive and harmful, emphasizing their potency.

As the war intensifies, Liesel continues stealing books, and Max's situation becomes more perilous. Their friendship deepens, and Max gifts Liesel a book he altered, replacing "Mein Kampf" with a story he wrote. The bombings in Munich affect the characters, and Death foreshadows Rudy's impending death.

The war comes closer to Himmel Street as bombs fall, and Max hides from Nazi inspections. Liesel's acts of kindness, like reading to Frau Holzapfel, contrast the cruelty of the time. The narrative includes various characters' fates, some returning home and others facing tragic ends.

The characters endure the war's hardships and bombings, and Liesel's continued search for Max leads to a reunion. However, she's beaten by soldiers. Max is bound for Dachau, but they share a moment and recite a story Max wrote for her.

The story ends abruptly with an intense bombing, resulting in the death of most characters on Himmel Strasse. Liesel is the sole survivor. Death, haunted by humans' actions, takes her manuscript and returns it to her decades later. The book concludes with a walk, where Liesel reflects on her life and those she lost, leaving Death with unanswered questions about human nature.

"The Book Thief" is a haunting and inventive tale of one girl's experience during World War II in Nazi Germany, highlighting the power of words, stories, and the complexities of human behavior in times of darkness.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book a 4/5 because the book delivers the beauty and the dreadful side of people's humanity. People like the Hubermann family significantly stand out, because of their nice and caring personality. They accepted a Jew even though it jeopardizes the whole family, they still chose to take in Max—a Jewish during WW2. Not only that, the narrator, Death, makes the story much more interesting, especially the foreshadows that Death suddenly shares throughout the story. Most of the foreshadowing that was mentioned by Death was devastating, but since it did mention it actually helped me to focus more on the story and the characters, which helped me recall the most beautiful, unregretful moments. This, I think, made the setting, background, and story more pleasing to imagine or could say "reminisce" for the characters. I personally like Max Vendeburg—the Jewish fighter—he is a sweet guy. Though Max always stays in the basement, he is always looking out for Liesel and the Hubermann family. Especially, his get-along with Liesel is very cute. They both have a lot of similarities and he is always friendly to her.

[katie T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lot of book!
Clever beyond measure,, the author harnessed the voice of Death to tell a tale often shared, but never quite from this perspective, in this way, or this environment, in the minutia.

Incredibly complex, while tackling the most basic of human emotions, it was not exactly a page turner, as it was a thought provoker. Motivated by the potential in the outcome, you simply can't let it rest.

[Lauchlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a thoroughly fascinating read and well written. But the profanity and explicit content I could have done without. It completely saturated the book which was quite disappointing for such an amazing writer.

[Paulina Rhode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo well written

[Brandi Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruined reading for me for at least 5 months after because nothing compared to Zusak's writing. I love this book and it has such an special place on my shelf.

[Renée Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very powerful and insightful book. I shamelessly cried many times while reading.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!

[Helen Innes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A straightforward novel with a clear eye for mystery. An entrancing tale that is perfect for young adults.

[Michelle Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories-

[Raakweginboeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is that this is a must read.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

During WWII, a girl becomes a book thief. This story is told from the perspective of death and he details her journey thru the war and life.

[Sabnam Begum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death as a narrator has exemplified this story ...a brillant masterpiece , heartbreaking...makes you believe in friendship and humanity.. As last i want to say we all are " Haunted by humans"

[Christie del Castillo-Hegyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written book set in Nazi Germany written from the perspective of Death. Can’t love this book enough.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

there were a lot of confusjng parts and i am still a little confused about many things

[Harry Wingfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a two-in-one e-book. I have finished the first half, The Book Thief. I wish I was in a book club so I could talk with others who have read this book. I still don't know what I think of the author's decision to use the character of "Death" as the narrator of the book. This created an experience similar to watching a play in which the actors "break the 4th wall" and speak directly to the audience. The narrative by Death seemed to minimize the pain in the story by creating a separation that kept me from being drawn into the story. I never forgot I was reading a work of fiction. Did this allow me to keep going, or did it trivialize the evil of the Nazi reign in Germany? Or did it do both? It was only in the last two chapters that I felt a real connection to the characters in the story. When the pain hit, it hit hard. If it had not been the end of the book, I may have stopped reading. I will be interested in what others think. I do plan to finish the e-book and read I Am the Messenger at some point.

[Tim Greenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a review of "I am the Messenger". I read "The Book Thief" in a different edition and had intended to move onto something else, but it ended with the first chapter of Messenger, which grabbed me and I found this double edition in the library. Messenger is entertaining and clever but not in the same league as Book Thief. It starts with our protagonist Ed Kennedy lying on the floor in a failed bank robbery and the events of that day lead to a change in his life. The book contains what the author presumably believes is a profound message, but it is delivered in a heavy handed manner, especially in the final short chapter.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two great books into one.

I am happy to have finally read both books. They are both very inspirational. Most of these stories are all about friendships, relationships, life’s lessons, and even about memories, and death. I enjoyed learning and reading both books. I hope to read more books written by Markus Zusak.

[Nona Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and well presented view of life by ordinary Germans, trying to survive, during WWII. Beautifully written and narrated by death, which actually minimized the grief as it gave humanity to the would be recipients.

[Jim Salerno · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was generally a satisfying read but I found "Deaths" narrative to be a little off putting and the prose to be overly affected.

[Maria Eremita McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great, honestly great

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written and what a story!! Loved it! Could not put this one down.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I previously read The Book Thief and only read I Am the Messenger in this edition. Markus Zusak has a wonderful way with words and I thoroughly enjoyed this story.