Book thief author interviews

What i wanted to do was write someones favorite book, rather than write for a specific audience, zusak revealed in an interview. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief youtube. Markus zusaks unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. April 2, 2006 nprs john ydstie interviews markus zusak, author of the book thief, a novel set in world war ii germany with death himself as the narrator.

He is best known for the book thief and the messenger us title. Nominated as one of americas bestloved novels by pbss the great american read. In an interview, you mentioned that writing this book was difficult. Markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers questions from guardian childrens books site members about the film of his book, which is released this week. Its been 10 years since markus zusaks 2006 novel, the book thief, blazed onto shelves across the world and rocketed up bestseller lists, earning a welldeserved spot in the canon of world. 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 book thief is the fifth novel by australian author, markus zusak.

The book thief printables, classroom activities, teacher. The complete guide to creating mother daughter book clubs seal press 2009 and creator of mother daughter book. Catherine quinn, bestselling author of the thief taker. But at its deepest level, do you feel that one of the key themes of the story is the way that human love and kindness, however fleeting, have a kind of permanent power over death. The additional anniversary edition footnotes written by the author at the end of the book provide wonderful insight. We have since also enjoyed markus zusaks longawaited new novel bridge of clay get your copy of the book thief from amazon bookshop book depository kobo booktopia. Author interview markus zusak, author of the book thief. In an interview to zusak spoke about what his primary. I concentrated mostly on the idea that humans have great beauty and great ugly as death puts it in them, and we all struggle to.

Then the kings scholar, the magus, orders gen to accompany him on a secret journey, to work as a thief on behalf of the ruler, though he refuses to tell. A conversation with markus zusak about the book thief a story about, among other things. The book thief 257 likes like share on facebook 30119 views its just a small story really, about among other things. His most famous works are the book thief and i am the messenger he has written 6 books, the latest of which is due out in september of this year he credits his inspiration for writing the book thief from the stories his mother would tell him about life under the nazi regime, including the bombing of munich and the marching of jews through. The milestone is celebrated with a new special edition, containing 32 pages of bonus content including manuscript pages, original sketches, pages from zusaks writing notebook and a letter from the author. Gens skills as a thief are considerable, but so, too, is his penchant for bragging about his deeds. The author talks about writing the book thief in this 2007 video, discussing in depth his writing process and techniques. Originally published in march 2006, the book thief is narrated by. The book thief author markus zusak on bridge of clay.

A conversation with markus zusak publishers weekly. If you liked the book thief, try the history of love by nicole krauss maus. When her foster father helps her learn to read and she discovers the power of words, liesel begins stealing books from nazi book. Interview with markus zusakauthor of the book thief. The official website of the book thief your spot for the latest on markus zusak and the book thief united states holocaust memorial museum this site provides concise information and is a great quick reference for many of the events alluded to in the novel. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief.

It will become, if it is not already, a modernday classic. The breathtaking story of five brothers who bring each other up in a world run by their own rules. Markus zusaks international bestseller the book thief marks its 10th anniversary this year. The book thief book thief libguides at san antonio. The book thief, his fifth novel, was published in 2006 in australia. Its just a small story really, about among other things. Posted in author interviews tagged author interview, i am the messenger, markus zusak, the book thief, young adult fiction permalink about cindy hudson cindy hudson is the author of book by book. Published in 2005, the book thief would go on to be developed into a feature film, win several major awards, and sell more than 15 million copies worldwide. Whether youre starting a book club now or have been in one for years, look here for help in choosing what to read. 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. Liesel meminger cannot read when she arrives at her new home, but finds herself drawn to books, which she proceeds to borrow. Amber gochoel interviews actors sophie nelisse and geoffrey rush and director brian percival about their new movie the book thief which will be in theaters november 15th, 20. Set in germany in the years 19391943, the book thief tells the story of liesel, narrated by death who has in his possession the book she wrote about these years.

Markus zusak on why his followup to the book thief almost broke him. Her foster father has taught her to read, and she shares the books with max vanderberg, a jewish refugee the family is hiding in the. In interviews about the book thief, zusak says that his inspiration for the novel came from hearing his parents stories about growing up in germany and austria. He says of the book thief, when i first started writing, death was a lot more macabre. The book thief isnt just a story about a girl growing up, or a story about world war ii and the holocaust.

Its based on the bestselling novel by markus zusak. The australian writer markus zusaks brilliant and hugely ambitious new youngadult novel is. Undermined by his tongue, the young man finds himself in prison for stealing from the king. Living with her foster parents, hans and rosa hubermann, outside of munich in 1939, liesel sees the horrors of the nazi regime firsthand. We spoke to author melinda salisbury about the writing process behind her latest book, hold back the tide, as well as her top tips on world building and writing villains.

The book thief was published as a novel for adults in australia and as a young adult novel in the united states, but zusak doesnt draw such distinctions. Markus zusak on random house kids in 4minute interview video with the awardwinning australian author about the book thief. Heidi and markus zusak took part in the below conversation via email in spring 2012. Markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers questions from guardian childrens books site members about the film of his. Theyve been doing press rounds as a trio to promote the book thief, their world war ii comingofage drama, adapted from the bestselling young adult novel of. In the book thief death says repeatedly that this is only the story of a girl. What inspired you to write about a hungry, illiterate girl who has such a desire to read that she. Author interviews npr interviews with top authors and the npr book tour, a weekly feature and podcast where leading authors read and discuss their writing. Reading is fundamental 750 first street, ne suite 920 washington, dc 20002 1 877 rifread.

The exquisite use of the english language had me spellbound right from the first page. Author interview markus zusak, author of the book thief bookpage. The book thief should be required reading in schools i certainly wish i had read it sooner. Reviews of many of the books named here can be found on the book list pages of this site. I am 74 years old and this would be in my top 3 books of all my life of reading retired librarian. Over the years ive talked with quite a few authors about their books, writing in general, and their advice for motherdaughter book clubs. The author chats to us about the film, the book and the power of storytelling. I am the messenger, two novels which became international bestsellers. The book thief this is such a wow of a book to read and to see the film as well. Whom ever finds this book rubbish should not be allowed to ever read a book. For 12yearold liesel meminger, books keep her going. Zusak, author of four previous teen novels including 2006 printz honor book i am the messenger, put aside his housecleaning chores to talk with bookpage from his home in sydney. Yet, the book is so much more than a story about a german girl who is living in nazi germany during wwii. 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.

The book thief, by markus zusak the new york times. Your new book hold back the tide was published at the beginning of march. There are many lovely, tender elements to be found in the book thief. Thank you to the chicago public library for partnering on the content of this article. Since then, more than one million copies have been sold worldwide. In the hands of australian writer markus zusak, death is a surprisingly enjoyable omniscient narrator. The narration by death makes sense, because war and death go together, and the book is set during world war ii. The author of the bestselling phenomenon reveals to ew why his epic new. If the book thief is the australian authors most famous book, this is his magnum opus. Markus zusak is the international bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief and most recently, bridge of clay. Actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall.

Expanded from a new yorker article, this longwinded if wellinformed tale has less to do with john laroche, the thief, than it does with our authors desire to craft a comprehensive natural and social history of what the victorians called orchidelirium. Interview with author of the book thief steppenwolf theatre. Interview with markus zusak chicago public library. Interview with the book thief actors and director youtube. Still, while percival captures intriguing juxtapositions from nazi germany ex. The author of the book thief explains why failure is his best friend, and why all writers tend to be loners.

Both intimate and sweeping, markus zusaks unforgettable novel is set just before and during world war ii, among everyday german people living in a munich suburb. Death was decidedly overworked during the war, but he informs the reader that he saw young liesel meminger three times in those years before he finally. The setting is nazi germany just before the start of world war two, through to 1943, and the story is narrated by death. Markus zusak on how bridge of clay left him beaten up and bruised. The book thief was a good book, not too bad, but not great either. Interview with markus zusak actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. Both intimate and sweeping, markus zusaks unforgettable novel is set just.