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| notes = For additional editions see [http://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/878368-the-book-thief The Book Thief > Editions] at Goodreads.com
| notes = For additional editions see [http://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/878368-the-book-thief The Book Thief > Editions] at Goodreads.com
}}
}}
'''''The Book Thief''''' is a [[historical fiction]] [[novel]] by the Australian author [[Markus Zusak]], set in [[Nazi Germany]] during [[World War II]]. Published in 2006, ''The Book Thief'' became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 17 million copies. It was adapted into the 2013 feature film, ''[[The Book Thief (film)|The Book Thief]]''.
'''''The Book Thief''''' is a [[historical fiction]] [[novel]] by the Australian author [[Markus Zusak]], set in [[Nazi Germany]] during [[World War II]]. Published in 2005, ''The Book Thief'' became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 17 million copies. It was adapted into the 2013 feature film, ''[[The Book Thief (film)|The Book Thief]]''.


The novel follows the adventures of a young girl, Liesel Meminger. Narrated by [[Death (personification)|Death]], the novel presents the lives and viewpoints of the many victims of the ongoing war. Themes throughout the story include death, literature, and love.<ref name="The Book Thief" />
The novel follows the adventures of a young girl, Liesel Meminger. Narrated by [[Personifications of death|Death]], the novel presents the lives and viewpoints of the many victims of the ongoing war. Themes throughout the story include death, literature, and love.<ref name="The Book Thief" />


==Plot==
==Plot==


The story begins in 104
Narrated by [[Death (personification)|Death]], the story follows the young girl Liesel Meminger, living with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann in Nazi Germany during World War II. While adapting to her new home she is exposed to the horrors of the war and politics. As the political situation in Germany deteriorates, her foster parents conceal a Jewish man named Max Vandenburg. Hans develops a close relationship with Liesel, helping her learn to read and write. Recognizing the power of writing and sharing literature, Liesel begins to steal books that the politicians are seeking to destroy. She also ends up writing her own story and finds a common interest in them with Max. By collecting laundry for her foster mother she also forms a relationship with the mayor's wife Ilsa, who allows her to read books in her library.
as Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old girl, travels with her younger brother, Werner, on a train to their new foster home in Molching. Their mother, a Communist, can no longer care for them due to the rising dangers of the Nazi regime. Tragically, Werner dies during the journey, and Liesel, devastated, steals a book, ''The Gravedigger’s Handbook'', from the train station. This act of theft marks the beginning of her connection to words and storytelling.


Upon arriving in Molching, Liesel is placed with her new foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Hans is kind-hearted and forms a bond with Liesel through shared moments, while Rosa is strict and harsh, often intimidating Liesel. Despite the difficulties in adjusting to her new life, Liesel finds comfort in her father’s warmth and their growing relationship.
Hans brings suspicion on his household that he might be a sympathizer with political adversaries of Germany in the war. Max leaves the Hubermanns' home soon after out of fear that the suspicion could endanger him or the family, but eventually returns. Bombs fall on Liesel's street, killing her friends, family and neighbors. Liesel is the sole survivor due to working on her manuscript in the basement at the time of the raid.

As Liesel settles into her new home, she struggles with feelings of abandonment and guilt over her brother's death. Her friendship with the neighbor boy, Rudy Steiner, provides her with companionship and adventure. Rudy idolizes Jesse Owens, the African American athlete, and the two engage in mischievous activities, including stealing food and pranks.

Liesel’s love for books deepens, leading her to steal more books to satiate her hunger for stories. She sneaks into the mayor’s mansion, where she discovers a library and develops a bond with the mayor's wife, Ilsa Hermann, who allows her access to the books.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when the Hubermanns decide to hide a Jewish man named Max Vandenburg in their basement. Max has a connection to the Hubermann family, having known Hans from World War I. As Max becomes part of their household, he and Liesel form a close bond through their love of words and storytelling. Max shares his own experiences in a story titled ''The Standover Man'', illustrating his struggles.

As the war escalates, Liesel’s world is increasingly affected by the brutality of the Nazi regime. The Hubermanns risk their lives to protect Max. Liesel’s perspective on the world shifts as she becomes aware of the persecution of Jews and the impact of war on her community.

The tension culminates during a bombing raid on Molching, resulting in tragic consequences. Liesel survives the attack, but the Hubermanns’ home is destroyed, and she loses her beloved foster parents, Hans and Rosa. This loss leaves Liesel alone and grappling with grief.

After the bombing, Liesel is taken in by the mayor and his wife, where she begins to piece her life back together. In her new environment, she finds comfort in reading and writing, continuing to honor the memory of Hans and Rosa. The mayor's wife, Ilsa, recognizes Liesel's talent and passion for storytelling.

As the war comes to a close, Liesel’s experiences shape her understanding of the world. The final chapters reveal Liesel as an adult, reflecting on her life and the memories of those she lost during the war. She eventually emigrates to Australia, where she marries and raises a family, but her heart remains tied to her childhood and the people who shaped her.

In the conclusion, Death revisits Liesel's life, illustrating the impact of her story. He reflects on the enduring nature of human connections and the stories that shape our lives.


Many years later (what Death calls "just yesterday") Liesel dies from old age in the suburbs of [[Sydney, Australia]] with a family and many friends. She has never forgotten Hans, Rosa, Max, her friend Rudy or her brother. When Death collects Liesel's soul he gives her the manuscript she lost in the bombing. She asks him if he read it and understood it, but Death is unable to understand the duality of humanity. Death's last words for Liesel (and possibly the reader) are "I am haunted by humans."
==Characters==
==Characters==
'''Death'''<br>
'''Death'''<br>
[[Death (personification)|Death]], the collector of souls, narrates the story of a young girl during the horrific times of [[Nazi Germany]] and the Second World War. To the reader, Death insists that things "most definitely ''can'' be cheerful" while relating that it most certainly also cannot be nice. Sometimes Death is "compelled" to take action in sympathy with the human story.
[[Personifications of death|Death]], the collector of souls, narrates the story of a young girl during the horrific times of [[Nazi Germany]] and the Second World War. To the reader, Death insists that things "most definitely ''can'' be cheerful" while relating that they most certainly also cannot be nice. Sometimes Death is "compelled" to take action in sympathy with the human story.


'''Liesel Meminger'''<br>
'''Liesel Meminger'''<br>
The protagonist of the story is a girl on the verge of adolescence, with blonde hair and brown eyes. She is fostered by the Hubermanns after her biological father is taken away by the Nazis before the novel starts, due to being a [[Communism|Communist]]. Her brother dies and her mother is forced to send her to a foster home to avoid Nazi persecution. Liesel is the titular book thief; fascinated by the power of words, she steals several books throughout the story from a gravedigger, a bonfire, and the mayor's wife, Ilsa Hermann.
The story's protagonist is a girl on the verge of adolescence, with German blonde hair and brown eyes. The Hubermanns foster her after her biological father is taken away by the Nazis before the novel starts, due to being a [[Communism|Communist]]. Her brother dies and her mother is forced to send her to a foster home to avoid Nazi persecution. Liesel is the titular book thief; fascinated by the power of words, she steals several books throughout the story from a gravedigger, a bonfire, and the mayor's wife, Ilsa Hermann.


'''Hans Hubermann (Papa)'''<br>
'''Hans Hubermann (Papa)'''<br>
Liesel's foster father and husband of Rosa, Hans was a German soldier during the First World War. He is now an accordion player and painter. He develops a close and loving relationship with Liesel and becomes a source of strength and support for her. Like Liesel, he doesn't have much experience with reading. The two help each other with reading and write all the words they learn on a wall in the basement. He helps Max because Max's father saved Hans in the First World War.
Liesel's foster father and husband to Rosa, Hans was a German soldier during the First World War. He is now an accordion player and painter. He develops a close and loving relationship with Liesel and becomes a source of strength and support for her. Like Liesel, he doesn't have much experience with reading. The two help each other with reading and write all the words they learn on a wall in the basement. He helps Max because Max's father saved Hans in the First World War.


'''Rosa Hubermann (Mama)'''<br>
'''Rosa Hubermann (Mama)'''<br>
Rosa is Liesel's sharp-tongued foster mother. She has a "wardrobe" build and a displeased face, brown-grey hair often tightly tied in a bun and. Despite her temper, she is a loving wife to Hans and mother to Liesel. To supplement the household income she does washing and ironing for wealthier households in town.
Rosa is Liesel's sharp-tongued foster mother. She has a "wardrobe" build and a displeased face, five feet tall, brown-grey hair often tightly tied in a bun. Despite her temper, she is a loving wife to Hans and mother to Liesel. To supplement the household income, she does washing and ironing for wealthier households in Molching.


'''Max Vandenburg'''<br>
'''Max Vandenburg'''<br>
Line 50: Line 66:


'''Rudy Steiner'''<br>
'''Rudy Steiner'''<br>
Liesel's neighbor Rudy has bony legs, blue eyes, lemon-coloured hair, and a penchant for getting in the middle of situations when he shouldn't. Despite having the appearance of an archetypal German, he does not support the Nazis. As a member of a relatively poor household with six children, Rudy is habitually hungry. He is known throughout the neighborhood because of the "[[Jesse Owens]] incident" in which he coloured himself black with charcoal one night and ran one hundred meters at the local sports field. He is academically and athletically gifted which attracts the attention of Nazi Party officials, leading to attempted recruitment. His lack of support for the Nazi party becomes problematic as the story progresses. Rudy becomes Liesel's best friend and later falls in love with her.
Liesel's neighbor Rudy has bony legs, blue eyes, lemon-colored hair, and a penchant for getting in the middle of situations when he shouldn't. Despite having the appearance of an archetypal German, he does not support the Nazis. As a relatively poor household member with six children, Rudy is habitually hungry. He is known throughout the neighborhood because of the "[[Jesse Owens]] incident" in which he colored himself black with charcoal one night and ran one hundred meters at the local sports field. He is academically and athletically gifted which attracts the attention of Nazi Party officials, leading to attempted recruitment. His lack of support for the Nazi party becomes problematic as the story progresses. Rudy becomes Liesel's best friend and later falls in love with her.


'''Ilsa Hermann'''<br>
'''Ilsa Hermann'''<br>
The wife of the mayor of Molching who employs Rosa Hubermann. She fell into a state of depression after the death of her only son Johann, in the Great War. Ilsa allows Liesel to visit, read, and steal books from her personal library. She gives Liesel a little black book which leads the girl to write her own story, "The Book Thief".<ref name="The Book Thief"/>
The wife of the mayor of Molching who employs Rosa Hubermann. She fell into a state of depression after the death of her only son Johann, in the Great War. Ilsa allows Liesel to visit, read, and steal books from her library. She gives Liesel a little black book which leads the girl to write her own story, "The Book Thief".<ref name="The Book Thief"/>


'''Werner Meminger'''<br>
'''Werner Meminger (Liesel's brother)'''<br>
Liesel's little brother who died suddenly on the train with his mother and other sister, buried in a cemetery near the train tracks. His death is what allowed the first book to be stolen: a gravedigger's manual dropped by a young boy learning to work in the cemetery.<ref name="The Book Thief" />
Liesel's little brother who died suddenly on the train with his mother and other sister, was buried in a cemetery near the train tracks. His death is what allowed the first book to be stolen: a gravedigger's manual dropped by a young boy learning to work in the cemetery.<ref name="The Book Thief" />


'''Paula Meminger (Liesel's mother)'''<br>
''' Paula Meminger (Liesel's mother)'''<br>
Liesel's mother is only mentioned in the story a few times. She sent her children to foster care to save them from Nazi persecution. For a while, Liesel writes letters to her mother thinking there is a chance she is still alive.<ref name="The Book Thief" />
Liesel's mother is only mentioned in the story a few times. She sent her children to foster care to save them from Nazi persecution. For a while, Liesel writes letters to her mother thinking there is a chance she is still alive.<ref name="The Book Thief" />


Line 66: Line 82:
==Themes==
==Themes==
===Mortality===
===Mortality===
The book is introduced by the character/narrator [[Death (personification)|Death]], which underlines that mortality is very present in the lives of each character. Throughout the novel, the deaths of prominent characters reaffirm the presence of mortality. Because the novel takes place during the Second World War, death and [[genocide]] are nearly omnipresent in the novel.
The book is introduced by the character/narrator [[Personifications of death|Death]], which underlines that mortality is very present in the lives of each character. Throughout the novel, the deaths of prominent characters reaffirm the presence of mortality. Because the novel takes place during the Second World War, death and [[genocide]] are nearly omnipresent in the novel.


Death is presented in a manner that is less distant and threatening. Because Death narrates and explains the reasons behind each character's destruction and explains how he feels that he must take the life of each character, Death is given a sense of care rather than fear. At one point, Death states "even death has a heart," which reaffirms that there is a care present in the concept of death and dying.<ref name="Concept Analysis The Book Thief">{{cite web|title=Concept Analysis The Book Thief|url=http://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheBookThief/Concept%20Analysis%20Strategy.pdf|access-date=4 May 2015|archive-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712083015/http://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheBookThief/Concept%20Analysis%20Strategy.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Death is presented in a manner that is less distant and threatening. Because Death narrates and explains the reasons behind each character's destruction and explains how he feels that he must take the life of each character, Death is given a sense of care rather than fear. At one point, Death states "even death has a heart," which reaffirms that there is a care present in the concept of death and dying.<ref name="Concept Analysis The Book Thief">{{cite web|title=Concept Analysis The Book Thief|url=http://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheBookThief/Concept%20Analysis%20Strategy.pdf|access-date=4 May 2015|archive-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712083015/http://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheBookThief/Concept%20Analysis%20Strategy.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Language, reading and writing===
===Language, reading and writing===
Throughout the novel, [[language]], [[reading]], and [[writing]] are presented as symbolic elements of expression and freedom. They provide identity and personal liberation to those characters who have, or who gain, the power of literacy: "the true power of words". And they provide a framework for Liesel's coming of age. At the beginning of the story shortly after her brother's funeral, Liesel finds a book in the snow, one she is unable to read. Under tutelage by her foster father Hans, she slowly learns to read and write. By the end of the novel, her character arc is largely defined by her progress in reading and writing. The development of Liesel's literacy mirrors her physical growth and maturing over the course of the story.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Book Thief: Liesel Meminger |url=https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-book-thief/character/liesel-meminger/ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=SparkNotes |language=en}}</ref>
Throughout the novel, [[language]], [[reading]], and [[writing]] are presented as symbolic elements of expression and freedom. They provide identity and personal liberation to those characters who have, or who gain, the power of literacy: "the true power of words", and they provide a framework for Liesel's coming of age. At the beginning of the story shortly after her brother's funeral, Liesel finds a book in the snow, one she is unable to read. Under tutelage by her foster father Hans, she slowly learns to read and write. By the end of the novel, her character arc is largely defined by her progress in reading and writing. The development of Liesel's literacy mirrors her physical growth and maturing over the course of the story.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Book Thief: Liesel Meminger |url=https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-book-thief/character/liesel-meminger/ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=SparkNotes |language=en}}</ref>


Literacy skills and vernacular speech also serve as social markers. Wealthy citizens in the story are often portrayed as literate, as owning books and even their own libraries, while the poor are illiterate and do not own books. Rosa Huberman's abrasive and oft-times scatological speech towards her family and others is emblematic of the despairing lives of the poorer classes.
Literacy skills and vernacular of speech also serve as [[social marker]]s. Wealthy citizens in the story are often portrayed as literate, as owning books and even their own libraries, while the poor are illiterate and do not own books. Rosa Huberman's abrasive and oft-times scatological speech towards her family and others is emblematic of the despairing lives of the poorer classes.


The [[Nazi book burnings|Nazi burning of books]] in the story represents evil incarnate. Symbolically, Liesel's rescue of a book from a Nazi bonfire represents her reclaiming of freedom and her resistance to being controlled by the all-pervasive state.<ref name="Concept Analysis The Book Thief"/>
The [[Nazi book burnings|Nazi burning of books]] in the story represents evil incarnate. Symbolically, Liesel's rescue of a book from a Nazi bonfire represents her reclaiming of freedom and her resistance to being controlled by the all-pervasive state.<ref name="Concept Analysis The Book Thief"/>


===Love===
===Love===
In the midst of war and loss, love is a central theme which acts as a catalyst for change and sacrifice throughout the book. Liesel overcomes her traumas by learning to love and be loved by her foster family and her friends. At the beginning of the novel, Liesel is traumatized not only by the death of her brother and her separation from her only family but also by the larger issues of war-torn Germany and the destruction wrought by the Nazi party. As Liesel's foster father Hans develops a relationship with her, this relationship helps create healing and growth. This pattern is reflected in the relational dynamic between the Hubermann family and Max. In a society ruled by governmental policies that presume to stand in judgment of who is truly human, the Hubermanns' relationship with Max defies the Nazi regime. Further, the love that Max and Liesel develop through their friendship creates a strong contrast to the fascist hate in the backdrop of the story.
In the midst of war and loss, love is a central theme which acts as a catalyst for change and sacrifice throughout the book. Liesel overcomes her traumas by learning to love and be loved by her foster family and her friends. At the beginning of the novel, Liesel is traumatized not only by the death of her brother and her separation from her only family but also by the larger issues of war-torn Germany and the destruction wrought by the Nazi party. As Liesel's foster father Hans develops a relationship with her, this relationship helps create healing and growth. This pattern is reflected in the dynamic between the Hubermann family and Max. In a society ruled by governmental policies that presume to stand in judgment of who is truly human, the Hubermanns' relationship with Max defies the Nazi regime. Furthermore, the love that Max and Liesel develop through their friendship creates a strong contrast to the fascist hate in the backdrop of the story, especially since Max is Jewish.


The theme of love also intertwines with the themes of identity and language/reading because all of these themes have the purpose of providing freedom and power in the midst of chaos and control.<ref name="Concept Analysis The Book Thief"/> Liesel's final words in her own written story are "I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."<ref name="The Book Thief" /> She has the power to show her love on paper.
The theme of love also intertwines with the themes of identity and language/reading because all of these themes have the purpose of providing freedom and power in the midst of chaos and control.<ref name="Concept Analysis The Book Thief"/> Liesel's final words in her own written story are "I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."<ref name="The Book Thief" /> She has the power to show her love on paper.


==Recognition==
==Reception==
Upon release, ''The Book Thief'' was generally well-received. According to [[Book Marks]], the book received "positive" reviews based on seven critic reviews with three being "rave" and four being "positive".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Book Thief|url=https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/the-book-thief/|access-date=12 July 2024 |website=Book Marks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Book Thief|url=http://thebookscore.net/browse.php?p=2&dir=down|access-date=12 July 2024|website=The BookScore|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111073808/http://thebookscore.net/browse.php?p=2&dir=down|archive-date=11 Jan 2013}}</ref> On [[Bookmarks (magazine)|Bookmarks]] July/August 2006 issue, a magazine that aggregates critic reviews of books, the book received a {{rating|3.5|5}} (3.5 out of 5) based on critic reviews with the critical summary stating, "Zusak, author of ''I Am the Messenger'', took a risk with his second book by making Death an omniscient narrator—and it largely paid off".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Book Thief By Markus Zusak|url=http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/book-review/book-thief/markus-zusak|access-date=14 January 2023 |website=Bookmarks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908060540/http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/book-review/book-thief/markus-zusak|archive-date=8 Sep 2015}}</ref>

* 2006: [[Commonwealth Writers' Prize]] for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)
* 2006: [[Commonwealth Writers' Prize]] for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)
* 2006: ''[[School Library Journal]]'' Best Book of the Year
* 2006: ''[[School Library Journal]]'' Best Book of the Year
Line 111: Line 129:
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q14511981|title=The Book Thief}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q14511981|title=The Book Thief}}
* John Patterson, [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/10/the-book-thief-who-is-target-audience Who exactly is ''The Book Thief'' aimed at?] ''The Guardian'', 10 February 2014
* John Patterson, [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/10/the-book-thief-who-is-target-audience Who exactly is ''The Book Thief'' aimed at?] ''The Guardian'', 10 February 2014



{{Markus Zusak}}
{{Markus Zusak}}

Latest revision as of 08:23, 12 November 2024

This article is about the novel. For the 2013 movie, see The Book Thief (film).

The Book Thief
First edition cover
AuthorMarkus Zusak
IllustratorTrudy White
Cover artistColin Anderson/ X Pictures/Getty Images
LanguageEnglish, German
GenreNovel-Historical Fiction, Bildungsroman
Published2006 Picador
Publication placeAustralia
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages584
ISBN033036426X
OCLC183612599
LC ClassPZ7.Z837 Boo 2007
For additional editions see The Book Thief > Editions at Goodreads.com

The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel by the Australian author Markus Zusak, set in Nazi Germany during World War II. Published in 2005, The Book Thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 17 million copies. It was adapted into the 2013 feature film, The Book Thief.

The novel follows the adventures of a young girl, Liesel Meminger. Narrated by Death, the novel presents the lives and viewpoints of the many victims of the ongoing war. Themes throughout the story include death, literature, and love.[1]

Plot

[edit]

The story begins in 104 as Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old girl, travels with her younger brother, Werner, on a train to their new foster home in Molching. Their mother, a Communist, can no longer care for them due to the rising dangers of the Nazi regime. Tragically, Werner dies during the journey, and Liesel, devastated, steals a book, The Gravedigger’s Handbook, from the train station. This act of theft marks the beginning of her connection to words and storytelling.

Upon arriving in Molching, Liesel is placed with her new foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Hans is kind-hearted and forms a bond with Liesel through shared moments, while Rosa is strict and harsh, often intimidating Liesel. Despite the difficulties in adjusting to her new life, Liesel finds comfort in her father’s warmth and their growing relationship.

As Liesel settles into her new home, she struggles with feelings of abandonment and guilt over her brother's death. Her friendship with the neighbor boy, Rudy Steiner, provides her with companionship and adventure. Rudy idolizes Jesse Owens, the African American athlete, and the two engage in mischievous activities, including stealing food and pranks.

Liesel’s love for books deepens, leading her to steal more books to satiate her hunger for stories. She sneaks into the mayor’s mansion, where she discovers a library and develops a bond with the mayor's wife, Ilsa Hermann, who allows her access to the books.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when the Hubermanns decide to hide a Jewish man named Max Vandenburg in their basement. Max has a connection to the Hubermann family, having known Hans from World War I. As Max becomes part of their household, he and Liesel form a close bond through their love of words and storytelling. Max shares his own experiences in a story titled The Standover Man, illustrating his struggles.

As the war escalates, Liesel’s world is increasingly affected by the brutality of the Nazi regime. The Hubermanns risk their lives to protect Max. Liesel’s perspective on the world shifts as she becomes aware of the persecution of Jews and the impact of war on her community.

The tension culminates during a bombing raid on Molching, resulting in tragic consequences. Liesel survives the attack, but the Hubermanns’ home is destroyed, and she loses her beloved foster parents, Hans and Rosa. This loss leaves Liesel alone and grappling with grief.

After the bombing, Liesel is taken in by the mayor and his wife, where she begins to piece her life back together. In her new environment, she finds comfort in reading and writing, continuing to honor the memory of Hans and Rosa. The mayor's wife, Ilsa, recognizes Liesel's talent and passion for storytelling.

As the war comes to a close, Liesel’s experiences shape her understanding of the world. The final chapters reveal Liesel as an adult, reflecting on her life and the memories of those she lost during the war. She eventually emigrates to Australia, where she marries and raises a family, but her heart remains tied to her childhood and the people who shaped her.

In the conclusion, Death revisits Liesel's life, illustrating the impact of her story. He reflects on the enduring nature of human connections and the stories that shape our lives.

Characters

[edit]

Death
Death, the collector of souls, narrates the story of a young girl during the horrific times of Nazi Germany and the Second World War. To the reader, Death insists that things "most definitely can be cheerful" while relating that they most certainly also cannot be nice. Sometimes Death is "compelled" to take action in sympathy with the human story.

Liesel Meminger
The story's protagonist is a girl on the verge of adolescence, with German blonde hair and brown eyes. The Hubermanns foster her after her biological father is taken away by the Nazis before the novel starts, due to being a Communist. Her brother dies and her mother is forced to send her to a foster home to avoid Nazi persecution. Liesel is the titular book thief; fascinated by the power of words, she steals several books throughout the story from a gravedigger, a bonfire, and the mayor's wife, Ilsa Hermann.

Hans Hubermann (Papa)
Liesel's foster father and husband to Rosa, Hans was a German soldier during the First World War. He is now an accordion player and painter. He develops a close and loving relationship with Liesel and becomes a source of strength and support for her. Like Liesel, he doesn't have much experience with reading. The two help each other with reading and write all the words they learn on a wall in the basement. He helps Max because Max's father saved Hans in the First World War.

Rosa Hubermann (Mama)
Rosa is Liesel's sharp-tongued foster mother. She has a "wardrobe" build and a displeased face, five feet tall, brown-grey hair often tightly tied in a bun. Despite her temper, she is a loving wife to Hans and mother to Liesel. To supplement the household income, she does washing and ironing for wealthier households in Molching.

Max Vandenburg
A Jewish fist-fighter who takes refuge from the Nazi regime in the Hubermanns’ basement. He is the son of a First World War German soldier who fought alongside Hans Hubermann, and the two developed a close friendship during the war. He has brown, feather-like hair and swampy brown eyes. During the Nazi reign of terror, Hans agrees to shelter Max and hide him from the Nazi party. During his stay at the Hubermanns' house, Max befriends Liesel, and they share an affinity for words. He writes two books for her and presents her with a sketchbook that contains his life story, which helps Liesel to develop as a writer and reader, which, in turn, saves her life from the bombs falling on her.[1]

Rudy Steiner
Liesel's neighbor Rudy has bony legs, blue eyes, lemon-colored hair, and a penchant for getting in the middle of situations when he shouldn't. Despite having the appearance of an archetypal German, he does not support the Nazis. As a relatively poor household member with six children, Rudy is habitually hungry. He is known throughout the neighborhood because of the "Jesse Owens incident" in which he colored himself black with charcoal one night and ran one hundred meters at the local sports field. He is academically and athletically gifted which attracts the attention of Nazi Party officials, leading to attempted recruitment. His lack of support for the Nazi party becomes problematic as the story progresses. Rudy becomes Liesel's best friend and later falls in love with her.

Ilsa Hermann
The wife of the mayor of Molching who employs Rosa Hubermann. She fell into a state of depression after the death of her only son Johann, in the Great War. Ilsa allows Liesel to visit, read, and steal books from her library. She gives Liesel a little black book which leads the girl to write her own story, "The Book Thief".[1]

Werner Meminger (Liesel's brother)
Liesel's little brother who died suddenly on the train with his mother and other sister, was buried in a cemetery near the train tracks. His death is what allowed the first book to be stolen: a gravedigger's manual dropped by a young boy learning to work in the cemetery.[1]

Paula Meminger (Liesel's mother)
Liesel's mother is only mentioned in the story a few times. She sent her children to foster care to save them from Nazi persecution. For a while, Liesel writes letters to her mother thinking there is a chance she is still alive.[1]

Hans Jr (Hans' and Rosa's son)
Hans Jr is the son of Hans and Rosa Huberman. He is very supportive of the Nazi party and fights with his father about it frequently. He is eventually sent to participate in the Battle of Stalingrad.[1]

Themes

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Mortality

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The book is introduced by the character/narrator Death, which underlines that mortality is very present in the lives of each character. Throughout the novel, the deaths of prominent characters reaffirm the presence of mortality. Because the novel takes place during the Second World War, death and genocide are nearly omnipresent in the novel.

Death is presented in a manner that is less distant and threatening. Because Death narrates and explains the reasons behind each character's destruction and explains how he feels that he must take the life of each character, Death is given a sense of care rather than fear. At one point, Death states "even death has a heart," which reaffirms that there is a care present in the concept of death and dying.[2]

Language, reading and writing

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Throughout the novel, language, reading, and writing are presented as symbolic elements of expression and freedom. They provide identity and personal liberation to those characters who have, or who gain, the power of literacy: "the true power of words", and they provide a framework for Liesel's coming of age. At the beginning of the story shortly after her brother's funeral, Liesel finds a book in the snow, one she is unable to read. Under tutelage by her foster father Hans, she slowly learns to read and write. By the end of the novel, her character arc is largely defined by her progress in reading and writing. The development of Liesel's literacy mirrors her physical growth and maturing over the course of the story.[3]

Literacy skills and vernacular of speech also serve as social markers. Wealthy citizens in the story are often portrayed as literate, as owning books and even their own libraries, while the poor are illiterate and do not own books. Rosa Huberman's abrasive and oft-times scatological speech towards her family and others is emblematic of the despairing lives of the poorer classes.

The Nazi burning of books in the story represents evil incarnate. Symbolically, Liesel's rescue of a book from a Nazi bonfire represents her reclaiming of freedom and her resistance to being controlled by the all-pervasive state.[2]

Love

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In the midst of war and loss, love is a central theme which acts as a catalyst for change and sacrifice throughout the book. Liesel overcomes her traumas by learning to love and be loved by her foster family and her friends. At the beginning of the novel, Liesel is traumatized not only by the death of her brother and her separation from her only family but also by the larger issues of war-torn Germany and the destruction wrought by the Nazi party. As Liesel's foster father Hans develops a relationship with her, this relationship helps create healing and growth. This pattern is reflected in the dynamic between the Hubermann family and Max. In a society ruled by governmental policies that presume to stand in judgment of who is truly human, the Hubermanns' relationship with Max defies the Nazi regime. Furthermore, the love that Max and Liesel develop through their friendship creates a strong contrast to the fascist hate in the backdrop of the story, especially since Max is Jewish.

The theme of love also intertwines with the themes of identity and language/reading because all of these themes have the purpose of providing freedom and power in the midst of chaos and control.[2] Liesel's final words in her own written story are "I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."[1] She has the power to show her love on paper.

Reception

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Upon release, The Book Thief was generally well-received. According to Book Marks, the book received "positive" reviews based on seven critic reviews with three being "rave" and four being "positive".[4][5] On Bookmarks July/August 2006 issue, a magazine that aggregates critic reviews of books, the book received a (3.5 out of 5) based on critic reviews with the critical summary stating, "Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, took a risk with his second book by making Death an omniscient narrator—and it largely paid off".[6]

Film adaptation

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Main article: The Book Thief (film)

A film adaptation was released on 8 November 2013.[10] It was directed by Brian Percival. Michael Petroni wrote the script. It stars Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson as Hans and Rosa Hubermann, Ben Schnetzer as Max Vandenburg, Nico Liersch as Rudy Steiner, and Sophie Nélisse as Liesel Meminger. John Williams wrote the music soundtrack.[11] Much of the movie was filmed in Görlitz, Germany.

Musical adaptation

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A musical theater version premiered at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, on 17 September 2022. The libretto was written by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald, with music and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson. Directed by Lotte Wakeham.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Zusak, Markus (2005). The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
  2. ^ a b c "Concept Analysis The Book Thief" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  3. ^ "The Book Thief: Liesel Meminger". SparkNotes. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  4. ^ "The Book Thief". Book Marks. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  5. ^ "The Book Thief". The BookScore. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  6. ^ "The Book Thief By Markus Zusak". Bookmarks. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Past Winners". Jewish Book Council. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
    – "Fiction: The Book Thief". Jewish Book Council. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  8. ^ "2006 Blue Ribbons". The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Michael L. Printz Winners and Honor Books". American Library Association. 15 March 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  10. ^ Erin Strecker (11 July 2013). "'The Book Thief' sets November release date". Entertainment Weekly.
  11. ^ "John Williams to Score 'The Book Thief'". Film Music Reporter. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
    – "The Book Thief (2013)". IMDb. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  12. ^ Youngs, Ian (22 September 2022). "Author Jodi Picoult stages The Book Thief musical as a 'cautionary tale'". BBC News. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  13. ^ Fisher, Mark (25 September 2022). "The Book Thief review – assured and courageous musical adaptation of global bestseller". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
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