The Book Thief

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.

Well, except sometimes.

Once in a very long time...

I can't help myself.

I get interested.

I don't know exactly what it was about Liesel Meminger.

But she caught me.

Mama.

And I cared.

Do you want to say a few words?

Goodbye my darling

she would have kept you if she could have.

You know that, don't you?

Here we are. Come, Liesel.

Meet your new parents.

Come.

Hans Hubermann.

Heinrich.

Heinrich.

Where is the boy?

He died.

What do you mean?

On the way here.

They had to bury him by the tracks.

They promised us two children, with two allowances.

Rosa, you cannot blame the boy for dying.

No, I blame his mother.

Dragging them across the country unfed, unwashed!

She was running for her life.

Have you seen that girl?

Filthy.

Everything they say about communists is true. Dirty and stupid.

I'll speak as loud as I want.

Come.

Come!

What is the matter with her?

Your majesty.

What are you brats looking at?

This is heaven street, your new home.

Hey, lover boy! Can we get on with the game now?

Please, go in.

Well, go on.

What do you say?

They have given us a mute.

Go upstairs.

Where is it?

That one.

It's for you.

Hans!

Ja, my sunshine?

Good morning, your majesty.

Would you stop that racket?

What do you say?

Thank you.

It speaks?

Now, listen, from now on you call me "mama," ja?

Say it.

Mama.

Good.

And that saukerl, that lazy pig over there...

You call him "papa." Understood?

Papa.

Who is that?

Who is it?

Rudy Steiner, frau Hubermann.

What do you want?

My mother says you've got a daughter now.

What's it to you?

I'm here to take her to school.

Why can't people ever mind their own business?

Hello, Rudy.

Hello!

And what makes you think you are good enough for my daughter?

Rudy.

I'm almost 12.

Liesel, eat your soup and go and get dressed.

Stay outside, you filthy saukerl.

Hurry up, Liesel.

Do you like to run?

I bet I could beat you.

No one has ever beaten me in a race.

You don't say much, do you?

Is that one spit, "yes," and two spits, "no"?

I'm glad we understand each other.

My mother didn't really tell me to come and get you.

I just thought you might need a friend.

Danke schon! Rudy!

What are you up to?

Nothing, papa.

Then get to school.

Come on.

You are?

Frau Hubermann's new daughter.

I was not addressing you, Steiner.

Girl, speak.

Liesel Meminger.

Chalk, board, name.

Come, girl. We don't have all day.

Write it.

Silence.

Silence!

Back to your seat, now.

Silence.

Dummkopf! Dummkopf! Dummkopf!

Hey, Dummkopf. Can't you even read yet?

Go on. Read one word. Read something.

Dummkopf.

She's killing him!

I bet that wasn't your first fight.

Franz Deutscher hasn't been hit like that...

Since he peed in Tommy Muller's lunchbox.

Franz Deutscher doesn't sound very smart.

He's the dumbest kid in school.

But he shaves.

You remember how to get home?

Just because I can't read doesn't make me stupid.

All right. I'll follow you, then.

You could join our soccer team, you know?

Look, you should probably just stop trying to be my friend...

Because I won't be here long enough.

Why not?

I'm running away. That's why not.

Where to?

None of your business.

Well, let me know when.

Why?

So I can come with you.

You don't understand. I'm serious.

I have to find my mother.

Frau Hubermann?

Nein, Dummkopf. My real mother.

Great.

I'd like to meet her.

What are you doing now?

Racing you.

I'll bet you a kiss I can beat you.

Why would I want to kiss you?

I don't know. What does that matter?

I'm the one who's going to win.

Just to the end of the street.

And what if I win?

You don't have to kiss me.

Ever?

What do you care?

You're not sticking around, right?

Hey! Saumensch!

You cheated.

So what?

I beat you. Did not.

It was a draw.

Draw means I get the kiss.

You can stick your kiss.

Oh, my God.

She's going to kill you.

Who?

If you think that I am some kind of pushover...

You are very much mistaken.

Do you hear?

I have just come to say good night.

What is this?

Is it yours?

Why would a nice girl like you want to read such a thing?

Are you sure this is yours?

It wasn't always mine.

It belonged to my brother.

I see.

Your brother...

His name was Pieter Strauss?

Do you know what this says?

Do you want to know what it says?

I'm not such a good reader myself, you know.

We will have to help each other out.

Ja?

We better get started.

"The gravedigger's handbook."

Raise the red flags for German effort

we want to pave the way to freedom

for German effort

we want to pave the way to freedom

we do not create a brother pact

with Jews or non-germanics

because they falsify the liberty certificate

of Germany's people

Walter.

Listen, he told me he can only take one.

Take Max. No, mama.

Take him! Go!

I won't leave without you.

Yes, you will.

Upon your father's grave, you will.

There's no time for heroics, Max.