How to contact markus zusak, author of the book thief quora. It is an important piece of work, but also a wonderful pageturner. Everyone should read markus zusaks the book thief, says philip ardagh. The book thief is set in nazi germany, at the start of world war two.
March 2016 marks the 10year anniversary of the publication of markus zusaks the book thief. Australian author markus zusak is bestknown as the author of the internationally bestselling novel the book thief which loved by waterstones booksellers and readers alike remains of our most regularly recommended reads. The book thief is a historical novel by australian author markus zusak and is his most popular work published in 2005, the book thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. Markus zusaks 2006 printz honor novel the book thief knopf has just sold two million copies, across multiple formats, in the united states. Markus zusak s international bestseller the book thief marks its 10th anniversary this year.
Markus zusak has 16 books on goodreads with 3587712 ratings. Dec 15, 2011 markus zusaks 2006 printz honor novel the book thief knopf has just sold two million copies, across multiple formats, in the united states. The book thief is a story about the power of words to make worlds. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, awardwinning author markus zusak has given us one of the most enduring. Zusaks latest novel, bridge of clay, is published in october 2018. Its just a small story really, about among other things. With one eye open, one still in a dream, the book thiefalso known as liesel memingercould see without question that her younger brother, werner, was now. His work is translated into more than forty languages, and has spent more than a decade on the new york times bestseller list, establishing zusak as one of the most successful authors to come out of australia. I should hasten to admit, however, that there was a considerable hiatus between the first stolen book and the second. In the novel the book thief by markus zusak, the narrator who is known only as death is a critical thinker which makes deaths point of view very engaging for an audience. It is full of metaphors and symbolism, echoing the style of a fable, and it is narrated by an intriguing character death. The milestone is celebrated with a new special edition, containing 32 pages of bonus content including manuscript pages, original sketches, pages from zusak s writing notebook and a letter from the author. A girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical germans, a jewish fistfighter, and quite a.
The author is a prizewinning writer of childrens books, and this, his first novel for adults, proved to be a triumphant success. It shows the insidious nature of such control over personal freedom. Markus zusak interview, plus links to author biography, book. Relationships in the book thief by markus zusak free. He is best known for the book thief and the messenger us title. When her foster father helps her learn to read and she discovers the power of words, liesel begins stealing books from nazi book. It was adapted into a 20 feature film of the same name. Markus zusak was born in 1975 and is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, the book thief, which is translated into more than forty languages. In many ways, the book thief is a novel about words. Mar 28, 2008 the author of the book thief explains why failure is his best friend, and why all writers tend to be loners interview by sarah kinson fri 28 mar 2008 05. Zusak creates a set of characters never to be forgotten. Set during world war ii in germany, markus zusaks groundbreaking new novel is the.
Interview with markus zusak chicago public library. To ask other readers questions about the book thief, please sign up. A summary of themes in markus zusaks the book thief. First released in 2005, the book thief has spent more than a decade on the new york times bestseller list, and. At first, the book thief was supposed to be a small novel only a hundred pages or so but the more time i spent with it, the more it grew, in every way. Markus zusak on the book thief, 10 years later bookpage. Like the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, which was initially targeted at young adults in britain but to adults in the usa, the book thief is one of those rare books that really does speak to both young and old alike. The novel is narrated by death, characterized not as the usual grim reaper, but a sympathetic guardian of the souls of the deceased. The book thief is an outstanding young adult novel set in germany during 19391943 and follows the life of liesel meminger, a young foster girl, as she endures a povertyridden existence. The book thief by marcus zusak was the bestselling debut literary novel of the year 2007, selling over 400,000 copies. Heidi and markus zusak took part in the below conversation via email in spring 2012. The book thief is an extraordinary, heartbreaking book.
A book narrated by death himself tells the tale of an adopted girl in nazi germany, the dirty little boy who loves her, her parents, and the jewish fistfighter hiding in their house. I am the messenger, two novels which became international bestsellers. Set against the backdrop of world war ii germany, the book thief is a compelling and moving story about a young girl sophie nelisse who is taken in by foster parents geoffrey rush and emily watson. The narrator refers to liesel as the book thief because she steals a. A girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical germans, a jewish fistfighter, and quite a lot of thievery. Markus zusak, a prizewinning author, lives in sydney with his wife and daughter. Markus zusak is the international bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief and most recently, bridge of clay. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The book thief by markus zusak the book thief is set in germany during the second world war, but it is not your average war story. Actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. The book thief is a historical novel by australian author markus zusak and is his most popular.
The book thief movie tiein by markus zusak, paperback. The book thief is a historical novel by australian author markus zusak and is his most popular work. Liesel meminger is a young girl growing up outside of munich in nazi germany, and death tells her story as an attempta flying jump of an attemptto prove to me that you, and your human existence, are worth it. His first book was the underdog, published in 1999, fighting ruben wolfe, 2001, and when dogs cry, 2002. Get an answer for what are a few quotes from marcus zusaks the book thief that prove that words and books help grow max and liesels relationship. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Liesel has never known her father and is turned over to a foster family by her mother, along with her young. Are you wondering if the book thief will be a good read for you. The state of israel gives nonjews who saved jewish lives, or attempted to save jewish lives, the formal recognition of.
Mar 14, 2006 when death tells a story, you pay attention. Markus zusak makes some creative choices in the book thief. Meanwhile, liesel and rudy join a gang of youths who steal apples and potatoes from farmers. The book thief by markus zusak book club discussion. People are captivated by the story, but readers have some varying opinions on some of the specifics. The doubleday hardback of the book thief, published at the beginning of january 07, stayed in the top ten of the sunday times bestsellers for nine weeks. Another noteworthy point is that the first was stolen from snow and the second from fire. Markus zusak born 23 june 1975 is an australian writer of german origin. As three years of work went by, it changed from a book that meant something to me to a book that meant everything, and im very grateful for it.
Author interview markus zusak, author of the book thief. The book thief the book thief audiobook, by markus zusak. Markus zusak is the author of i am the messenger, winner of the childrens book council book of the year in australia, fighting ruben wolfe, an ala best book for young adults, and getting the girl. While this is a wonderful book, there is considerable content to digest. Death tells the story of liesel, a german girl living in germany during world war two. I would recommend this book for a mature teen, late high school or older. Mar 17, 2014 the book thief is set in nazi germany, at the start of world war two. Published in 2005, the book thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. My daughter, madeleine, and i had the wonderful opportunity to experience zusaks charm in person when i interviewed him before a bookstore appearance in portland, where he stopped over on a. A summary of themes in markus zusak s the book thief. The book thief markus zusak page 2 read online free. In nazi germany, the country is holding its breath. The book thief traces the gradual encroachment of nazism on the everyday life of the hubermanns and other ordinary families like them.
The extraordinary international bestseller from the author of new novel bridge of clay. Markus zusak, author of the book thief, was inspired by an eyewitness account his mother had told him when he was growing up. The book thief was published in 2005 and has been translated into 30 languages, as well as being a bestseller in many countries. Historical fiction, jews, markus zusak, the book thief, world war 2. Originally published in march 2006, the book thief is narrated by. With the comprehension of a typical 9yearold, liesel merminger struggles to survive with a foster family in nazi germany. Markus began his career as a janitor and english teacher for a high school. In zusaks latest young adult novel, the book thief, death doesnt gleefully gather up the newly dead. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, awardwinning author markus zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time. What are a few quotes from marcus zusaks the book thief that. For additional editions see the book thief editions at. The book thief is almost certainly the best book ive read this year. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the book thief and what it means. Markus zusak was born in 1975 and is the author of five books, including i am the messenger and the international bestseller, the book thief, which is translated into more than forty languages.
Zusak is frequently asked whether he intended the book for a young adult or adult audience, and has said he simply wanted to write a book readers would love. Narrated by death, who over the course of the book. S this novel is so finely plotted and the characters so fully formed, that people love to hear about the genesis for this story. All of zusak s books including earlier titles, the. Markus zusak has trouble writing an autobiography because he doesnt find himself inspiring he is a dog person, but owns two cats when he was younger he liked to be called frank, his middle name, because he didnt like his first name in 2005, he wanted to read 52 books but called it 53 killers. Interview with markus zusakauthor of the book thief.
Part of zusaks appeal is his ability to be so downtoearth and humble in the face of the enormous popularity of his most recent work, the book thief. Liesel develops two very important relationships throughout the book. Buy the book thief by markus zusak from waterstones today. The book thief by markus zusak western school of technology. The story line and characters suck you in and it races along, but then you have to stop and reread the last few lines to soak in the remarkable writing. I looked at my copy of the book thief and saw it was published by random house. Shop amongst our popular books, including 40, the book thief, i am the messenger and more from markus zusak. The book thief is the story of liesel meminger, a girl living in nazi germany whose foster parents provide refuge for a young jew, max vandenberg, by hiding him in their basement.
The author of the book thief explains why failure is his best friend, and why all writers tend to be loners interview by sarah kinson fri 28 mar 2008 05. Mar 20, 2014 markus zusak is the bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief. Markus zusak is the bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief. Fun facts about markus zusak the book thief fan page. I will now provide a brief lesson in how people did things before the internet. The book thief had struck for the first timethe beginning of an illustrious career. It reveals how hatred of others including the jews and the communists kommunisten imbued the rhetoric of hitlers speeches in order to incite. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. A conversation with markus zusak about the book thief a story about, among other things. The young adult novel, narrated by the character death, has received tremendous acclaim, including a printz honor, the book sense book of the year award for childrens literature and the sydney taylor book award from the association of jewish libraries.