by Markus Zusak
Published 2016
This anniversary edition of the extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller features pages of bonus content, including marked-up manuscript pages, original sketches, and pages from the author's writing notebook. “Life-changing.” —The New York Times When Death has a story to tell, you listen. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. 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. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time. “Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.” —USA Today DON’T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK’S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF.
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
American · Old · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“The 'intense' quality of this voice aligns well with Death's often ironic detachment and profound observations on humanity, providing a compelling narrative presence.”
American · Old · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“With a calm and warm storyteller's presence, this voice could portray a more gentle, yet still ancient and wise, aspect of Death's narration, highlighting the 'old' and 'measured' traits.”
American · Old · Male · Narrative Story · Husky
“Flint's deep, raspy resonance embodies a certain strength and determination, fitting a narrator who has witnessed endless war and human struggle, conveying a 'dark' and 'serious' undertone.”
Male · Old · Narration · Deep · Raspy · Calm · +3 more
“This voice captures Death's weary, observant perspective with its deep, raspy, and measured delivery, perfectly fitting the 'dark' and 'mysterious' traits.”
American · Old · Male · Narrative Story · Confident
“A rich, resonant baritone with a warm, honeyed tone, this voice offers a more reflective and measured take on the omniscient narrator, emphasizing the 'serious' and 'narrative' qualities.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A young girl who evolves from timid and vulnerable to resilient and empathetic. Her voice should reflect her growth amidst hardship.
German · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Chill
“This gentle German whispering voice perfectly embodies Liesel's initial timid and vulnerable nature, with a soothing rhythm that hints at her inner strength and empathy.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Entertainment · Low · Educational · +56 more
“A conversational female voice with a low tone, this match could represent Liesel's evolving confidence and resilience, reflecting her growth from timid to empathetic.”
Also recommended for: Rosa Hubermann
Liesel's kind and gentle foster father. His voice is a source of calm and quiet strength, often reassuring.
German · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“This calm and warm German baritone perfectly embodies Hans's gentle and reassuring presence, providing a deep, steady tone that signifies quiet strength.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Deep · Warm · +3 more
“Keanu Reeves's voice, described as deep, warm, calm, and gentle, aligns well with Hans's empathetic and kind nature, offering a soothing presence.”
Male · Deep · Middle-Aged · Narration · Character-Voice · Warm · +4 more
“The warm and intimate tone of this voice, with its gentle and calm delivery, is well-suited for Hans's protective and quiet strength, even without a German accent.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Warm · Calm · +3 more
“Michael Jackson's listed traits of deep, warm, calm, and gentle storytelling could portray Hans's comforting and steady character, emphasizing his 'warm' and 'slow and deliberate' manner.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Educational · Deep · Calm · +7 more
“A calm and deep middle-aged voice with a smooth, warm tone, this voice captures Hans's reassuring and gentle nature, making it ideal for his supportive role.”
Liesel's stern and foul-mouthed foster mother, whose abrasive exterior hides a deep love. Her voice should convey her tough facade.
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Entertainment · Low · Educational · +56 more
“This middle-aged conversational voice with a low, potentially raspy quality can effectively convey Rosa's stern exterior and dramatic intensity, hinting at the warmth beneath.”
Also recommended for: Liesel Meminger
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“A commanding and intense voice with a raspy, mature tone, this selection would highlight Rosa's tough facade and dramatic speaking style, even if the accent isn't explicitly German.”
Male · Old · Social-Media · Entertainment · Raspy · Confident · +2 more
“The raspy and assertive qualities of this voice could be adapted to embody Rosa's foul-mouthed and serious demeanor, projecting her strong personality.”
The Jewish man hidden in the basement, a weary but resilient fighter and intellectual. His voice carries the weight of his persecution.
German · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“This voice's calm German accent and young age are a perfect fit for Max, conveying his weary yet resilient spirit with a measured and gentle tone.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Social-Media · Narration · Deep · Low · +15 more
“Levi's dramatic and intense tone, combined with his calm and measured delivery, strongly matches Max's serious and resilient nature, carrying the weight of his persecution effectively.”
Male · Young · Medium · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · +56 more
“A young male voice with a deep and calm tone, this selection aligns well with Max's introspective and serious character, offering a measured and low-pitched presence.”