He wants to achieve greatness with this bridge, and the question is whether it will survive when the river floods. In 2006, zusaks fifth novel the book thief was published in his native australia as the authors first work of adult fiction, yet marketed by its american publisher knopf as another work of young adult fiction. Of course, when i went to get it at borders, they didnt have it. Narrated by death, who over the course of the book. Interview with markus zusak, author of bridge of clay. Markus zusaks the book thief has spent more than six years on the new york times. Markus zusak is the international bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief and most recently, bridge of clay. The book thief is a very personal story for zusak, whose german mother was a young girl during the holocaust. 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. Jun 14, 2014 despite his affinity with failure, markus zusak is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, the book thief, which has now been translated into more than 40 languages. After publication of the book thief, he was dubbed aliterary phenomenon by australian and u. Author interview markus zusak, author of the book thief. Markus zusak on how bridge of clay left him beaten up and.
In the hands of australian writer markus zusak, death is a surprisingly enjoyable omniscient narrator. Interview with author of the book thief steppenwolf theatre. In 2006 markus zusak released the book thief, a book set in nazi germany, narrated by death. Press play to stream, or download podcast by clicking icon at end of audio bar. Markus zusak biography list of works, study guides. Zusak is the awardwinning author of four previous books for young adults. Markus zusak on how bridge of clay left him beaten up and bruised clarissa sebagmontefiore if the book thief is the australian authors most famous book, this is his magnum opus. In 2018 he published bridge of clay, also to wide acclaim. I was first turned on to markus zusak when i watched an interview he gave about the book thief. Actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. Exploring the themes of war, death, friendship and love, the book thief tells the story of young liesel meminger, adopted into the care of hans and rosa.
Winning over 12 awards and staying on the new york times best seller list for over 230 weeks. That markus zusak had earlier intended to call his book claytons bridge is common knowledge. Markus zusak, the author of the book thief, the bestselling world war ii drama that was made into a film starring geoffrey rush and emily watson, has a new young adult. March 14, 2006 when death tells a story, you pay attention. Its just a small story really, about among other things.
His mother told him stories about the marching of the jews through towns and the munich bombings. What i wanted to do was write someones favorite book, rather than write for a specific audience, zusak revealed in an interview. Markus zusak the author of the book thief explains why failure is his best friend, and why all writers tend to be loners and the same simple idea applies to writing, i hope. In a new storyented segment, markus zusak, new york times bestselling author of the 2005 blockbuster novel the book thief, talks.
Written by australian author, markus zusak and published in 2006, the book thief is. Heidi and markus zusak took part in the below conversation via email in spring 2012. He lives in sydney, australia, with his wife and children. Im writing a book called bridge of clay about a boy building a bridge and wanting it to be perfect. 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. Zusak discussed his writing process and his new book bridge of clay. Nov 07, 20 the book thief movie is about to premiere but what does author markus zusak think about the highly anticipated adaptation.
Its markus zusaks weird optimism that kept him pushing through to the culmination of his latest work. More than a decade after the publication of his last book, the international bestseller the book thief, australian author markus zusak returns with a muchanticipated new novel. Markus zusak, the wildly popular author of the youngadult novel, the book thief, doesnt do anything by the book. Historical fiction is a genre that incorporates history to provide context and fiction to drive the story, and this is a story that is verywell driven. Random house has announced the publication of bridge of clay, a highly anticipated ya novel by markus zusak, the internationally bestselling and. Markus zusak was born on june 23, 1975 in sydney australia, where he currently still resides. I recently sat down with stars geoffrey rush and sophie nelisse, director brian. What inspired you to write about a hungry, illiterate girl who has such a desire to read that she. His newest, muchanticipated novel, bridge of clay, will release in october 2018. In an interview, you mentioned that writing this book was difficult. Pan macmillan hope in the book thief comes in the form of liesel meminger, a girl who lives with foster parents and. It will become, if it is not already, a modernday classic. 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 is an award winning australian author of german descent. The unforgettable, new york times bestselling family saga from markus zusak, the storyteller who gave us the extraordinary bestseller the book thief, lauded by the new york times as the kind of book that can be lifechanging. Sep 11, 2007 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. A small but noteworthy note i realise i am about seven years late in reading the book thief, but i cannot express how truly beautiful it is. The author chats to us about the film, the book and the power of storytelling.
The daily iowan sat down with markus zusak, author of the book thief, to discuss the writing process. It was then he kindly agreed to do an interview for my blog. Markus zusak, author of the book thief markus zusaks the book thief has spent more than six years on the new york times bestseller list. A conversation with markus zusak publishers weekly.
The complete guide to creating mother daughter book clubs seal press 2009 and creator of mother daughter book. What inspired you to write about a hungry, illiterate girl who has such a desire to read that she steals books. Mar 12, 2020 the unforgettable, new york times bestselling family saga from markus zusak, the storyteller who gave us the extraordinary bestseller the book thief, lauded by the new york times as the kind of book that can be lifechanging. He is best known for the book thief and the messenger us title. Interview with markus zusak, author of bridge of clay and. During his writing career, markus has written five novels with a sixth book in the works. Markus zusak books list of books by author markus zusak. 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. The book thief films biggest hurdle was death film. Winning over 12 awards and staying on the new york times best seller list for over 230 weeks exploring the themes of war, death, friendship and love, the book thief tells the story of young liesel meminger, adopted into the care of hans and rosa hubermann and lives. A girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical germans, a jewish fistfighter, and quite a lot of thievery a conversation with markus zusak about the book thief. First released in 2005, the book thief has spent a total of 375 weeks on the new york times bestseller list. He says of the book thief, when i first started writing, death was a lot more macabre. 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.
The 44yearold australian author came to the iowa city public library monday night for a stop on his tour promoting his latest novel, bridge of clay. The book thief should be required reading in schools i certainly wish i had read it sooner. Author bio birth1975 wheresydney, australia awardsmichael l. Interview with markus zusak chicago public library. Here is an edited version of the interview conducted via email. A girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical germans, a jewish fistfighter, and quite a lot of thievery. Oct 12, 2018 just ask markus zusak, author of the bestselling phenomenon the book thief, which is currently competing for the crown of pbss great american read with early reports indicating that the.
Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief youtube. His father inspired the character hans huberman who is. Whether standing in front of a group thats come to hear him speak or writing the words to a book, he has the uncanny ability to weave a story that keeps people on the edges of their seats until the very end. 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. Author markus zusak sits down for an interview with the daily iowan in the iowa city public library on monday, oct. Markus zusaks the book thief has spent more than six years on the new york times bestseller list. Dec 17, 2018 markus zusaks bridge of clay, out in 2018 through pan macmillan. Winning over 12 awards and staying on the new york times best seller list for over 230 weeks exploring the themes of war, death, friendship and love, the book thief tells the story of young liesel meminger, adopted into the care of hans and rosa hubermann. The book thief is a historical novel by australian author markus zusak and is his most popular work. First, the most remarkable feature of the bookthief, is the narrator, death. Interview with author of the book thief thank you to the chicago public library for partnering on the content of this article. World over 20160407 the book thief author, markus zusak. Markus zusak is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, the book thief, which spent more than a decade on the new york timesbestseller list, and is translated into more than forty languages establishing zusak as.
Mar, 2019 markus zusak, the wildly popular author of the youngadult novel, the book thief, doesnt do anything by the book. The book thief is widely considered to be zusaks best novel. The book thief interview with author markus zusak, stars. I met markus zusak at the jaipur literature festival where he was a part of the delegation of writers and publishers brought across by the australian high commission. Thats all i can say about it for now not out of secrecy. Author markus zusak talks about writing the book thief, i am the messenger and the writing life. Liesel meminger cannot read when she arrives at her new home, but finds herself drawn to books, which she proceeds to borrow. Interview with markus zusakauthor of the book thief. 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. He doesnt believe that mystery is important to keep his readers engaged, nor does he follow the cardinal rule of creative writing show, not tell.
For more information about markus zusak or events happening in conjunction with the chicago public librarys the book thief one book, one chicago programming, please visit. The book thief movie is about to premiere but what does author markus zusak think about the highly anticipated adaptation. Interview with markus zusak actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. Childrens book council of australia book of the year award, 2003 currentlylives in sydney, australia australian author markus zusak grew up hearing stories about nazi germany, about the bombing of munich and about jews being marched through his. For more information about markus zusak or events happening in conjunction with the chicago public librarys the book thief one book, one chicago. Markus zusak, author of the book thief, talks creating newest. The underdog, fighting ruben wolfe, getting the girl, and i am the messenger, recipient of a 2006. 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. Markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers questions from guardian childrens books site members about the film of his. Named one of the best books of the year by entertainment weekly the wall street journal one of those monumental books that can. Markus zusak is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, the book thief, which spent more than a decade on the new york times bestseller list, and is translated into more than forty languages establishing zusak as one of the most successful authors to come out of australia. Mar 28, 2008 markus zusak the author of the book thief explains why failure is his best friend, and why all writers tend to be loners and the same simple idea applies to writing, i hope. His novel comes years after the release of the book thief, and the process, according to zusak, was full of ups and downs.
Both his mother and father had lived through world war ii. It builds upon expectations of the readers of the book thief but as markus zusak says in the interview, the challenge was always to write this book the way it needed to be written, despite the book thiefs success, and readers wanting the same experience. Nov 18, 20 in 2006 markus zusak released the book thief, a book set in nazi germany, narrated by death. Published in 2005, the book thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. Successful upon publication, over one million copies of the book thief have been sold internationally, and the novel received a. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief video.
The book thief author markus zusak on bridge of clay. 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. Critics around the globe have named markus a literary phenomenon. The unique point of view of the narrator, the strong characterization, and an innovative approach to an overworked nazi germany topic make this book exceptional. The book thief has been on the new york times young adult best seller. 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.
Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief. Author interview markus zusak, author of the book thief bookpage. 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. Jan 21, 2019 it began with a little boy, fully formed in the authors imagination, and a name. Interview a conversation with markus zusak about the book thief a story about, among other things. A conversation with markus zusak about the book thief a story about, among other things.
It was inspired by stories that zusaks parents told him as a child. Despite his affinity with failure, markus zusak is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, the book thief, which has now been translated into more than 40 languages. It began with a little boy, fully formed in the authors imagination, and a name. Named one of the best books of the year by entertainment weekly the wall street journal one of those monumental books that can draw you across space and time into. Markus zusak born 23 june 1975 is an australian writer of german origin. 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.
Markus zusak was born in 1975 in sydney, australia, the youngest of four children of immigrant german and austrian parents. Just ask markus zusak, author of the bestselling phenomenon the book thief, which is currently competing for the crown of pbss great american read with early reports indicating that the. So in typical suz style, i hunted markus down for an interview. To date, zusak has held the number one position at. An unforgettable and sweeping family saga from markus zusak, the storyteller who gave us the extraordinary bestseller the book thief 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. My favorite book of 2010 has to be the book thief by markus zusak because it is singularly superb.