The Book Thief Quotes

Death Even Death has a heart.

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

Death The bombs were coming thicker now. It's probably fair to say that no one was able to serve the Führer as loyally as me.

Taglines Courage beyond words.

Franz I'm reporting you.

Liesel For what? Having a diary?

Franz I know you're up to something.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Liesel Rudy?

Rudy Saumensch. Liesel.

Liesel Shh.

Rudy I need to tell you…

Liesel Don't speak.

Rudy I need to say it. I ]

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

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

Max He reminded people of their humanity.

Liesel They're coming.

Rosa Who?

Liesel They're checking basements.

Max ] are ], Liesel.

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.

Rudy I hate ].

Liesel Me, too. I hate Hitler!

Rudy I hate Hitler!

Taglines From the studio that brought you ]

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 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.