The Book Thief (2013) - Quotes

From the Studio That Brought You

Taglines: [[Life of Pi] From the studio that brought you ]

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Courage That Defies Expression

Taglines: Courage beyond words.

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A Conversation Between Liesel and Rudy

Liesel: Rudy?

Rudy: Saumensch. Liesel.

Liesel: Shh.

Rudy: I need to tell you…

Liesel: Don't speak.

Rudy: [[love|lo-; his eyes close] I need to say it. I ]

Liesel: ...Rudy? Rudy, nein! Rudy, wake up! Rudy, nein! Wake up, Rudy! Rudy, wake up! Rudy, kiss me!

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The Connection of Life and Memory

Liesel: There once was a ghost of a boy who liked to live in the shadows so he wouldn't frighten people. His job was to wait for his sister, who was still alive. She wasn't afraid of the dark because she knew, that's where her brother was.

Rosa: Go on.

Liesel: At night, when darkness came to her room, she would tell her brother about the day. She would remind him how the sun felt on his skin, and what the air felt like to breathe, or how snow felt on his tongue. And that reminded her that she was still alive.

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Shared Hatred for a Common Enemy

Rudy: [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler] I hate ].

Liesel: [Rudy looks at her. Shouting;] Me, too. I hate Hitler!

Rudy: [shouts] I hate Hitler!

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A Promise Tested in Difficult Times

Max: But, if they come and find me here, they'll take all of you away.

Liesel: No, Max.

Max: I have to, Liesel. I'm sorry.

Liesel: But you promised.

Max: It's for your own good. For your family.

Liesel: But you're my family.

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The Importance of Humanity in Adversity

Liesel: I don't understand. What did he do so wrong?

Max: He reminded people of their humanity.

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A Tense Warning of Imminent Danger

Liesel: They're coming.

Rosa: Who?

Liesel: They're checking basements.

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Accusations and Secrets in The Book Thief

Franz: I'm reporting you.

Liesel: For what? Having a diary?

Franz: I know you're up to something.

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Trust and Family in Uncertain Times

Rosa: Can we trust her?

Hans: She's our daughter.

Rosa: She's a child

Hans: Rosa, we have no choice.

Rosa: He looks like death.

Hans: He's probably forgotten what food tastes like.

Rosa: And what are we going to feed him on? We barely have enough to feed ourselves.

Hans: We will make do.

Rosa: Oh, "we will make do.

Hans: We have always known that, one day, this may happen. Hmm?

Rosa: [[night] We could turn him in tomorrow. The authorities would understand— We could say it was late at ]—

Hans: Rosa.

Rosa: I know.

Hans: He came to us. I owe his family everything.

Rosa: I know.

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Consequences of Choices in Uncertain Times

Rosa: Hans, where did you put the flag? If we don't find it, it's going to look like we're saying something.

Franz: Burn a book. Go on, burn a book. Go on. I'll be watching — both of you.

Hans: [begins sobbing; [Jesus of Nazareth|Christ on the Cross; Rosa shushes Hans gently] What was I thinking? He took my name! ], what have I done? I've ruined us, I've ruined us! I'm sorry, Rosa. I'm sorry.

Liesel: Nein Rudy

Rudy: Yah Liesel

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Friendship and Connection in Difficult Times

Max: [[Words; [life] ] are ], Liesel.

The Best Thing I've Ever Experienced

Max: [[thrown up] You may find this hard to believe, but it's the best thing I've ever ]. page ?

Reflections on Life and Mortality

Death: I have seen a great many things. I've attended all of the world's worst disasters and worked for the greatest of villains, and I've seen the greatest wonders, but it's still like I said it was: No one lives forever. When I finally came for Liesel, I took selfish pleasure in the knowledge that she had lived her ninety years so wisely. By then, her stories had touched many souls, some of whom I came to know in passing. Max, whose friendship lasted almost as long as Liesel — almost. In her final thoughts, she saw the long list of lives that merged with hers: her three children, her grandchildren, her husband. Among them, lit like lanterns, were Hans and Rosa, her brother, and the boy whose hair remained the colour of lemons forever. I wanted to tell the book thief she was one of the few souls that made me wonder what it was to live. But in the end, there were no words, only peace. The only truth I truly know is that I am haunted by humans.

Death's Reflections on Human Lives

Death: Heaven — it was a misread on a map. No sirens that evening. First were Rudy's brothers. I read their simple dreams. Then I kissed his mother. And stole the meanness from Franz Deutscher's heart. Rosa I caught mid-snore. I could swear I heard her call me a saukarl. Then I felt her regrets for not sharing more of her very big heart. As for Hans, his soul was lighter than a child's. I felt his itch for one last tune on his accordion, and heard his final thought; "Liesel.

The Heart of Death

Death: Even Death has a heart.

The Inevitable Nature of Death

Death: Humans, if nothing else, have a good sense to die.

Gratitude Amidst Fear and Suffering

Death: While ten thousand souls hid their heads in fear, and trembled, one Jew thanked God for the stars that blessed his eyes.

The Irony of War and Mortality

Death: It's always been the same, the excitement and rush to war. I've met so many young men over the years who have thought they were running at their enemy, when the truth was, they were running to me.

Haunting Regrets of Survival

Death: When I finally caught up with Max Vandenburg's soul, it was this moment that haunted him the most. For leaving his mother. For feeling that awful, light-headed relief that he would live.

The Inevitability of Death

Death: One small fact: You are going to die. Despite every effort, no one lives forever. Sorry to be such a spoiler. My advice is, when the time comes, don't panic. It doesn't seem to help. I guess I should introduce myself properly, but then again, you'll meet me soon enough — not before your time, of course; I make it a policy to avoid the living.