The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006; first published in 2005)
This beautifully written, heart-wrenching, novel, narrated by “human haunted” Death, introduces readers to young Liesel, her family, friends (who will ever forget Rudy?), and other citizens of Molching, Germany during Hitler’s rise and reign. One leaves the pages with a sense of their daily lives, the horrors and random joys, along with renewed respect for both the danger and salvation of words.
While Liesel walked the streets of Molching, picking up and delivering washing and ironing, Nazi Party members were accumulating fuel. A couple of times, Liesel was a witness to men and women knocking on doors, asking people if they had any material that they felt should be done away with or destroyed. Papa’s copy of the 'Molching Express' announced that there would be a celebratory fire in the town square, which would be attended by all local Hitler Youth divisions. It would commemorate not only the 'Führer’s' birthday, but victory over his enemies and over the restraints that had held Germany back since the end of World War I. ‘Any materials,’ it requested, ‘from such times – newspapers, posters, books, flags – and any propaganda of our enemies should be brought forward to the Nazi Party office on Munich Street.’ Even Schiller Strasse – the road of yellow stars – which was still awaiting its renovation, was ransacked one last time, to find something, anything, to burn in the name of the 'Führer’s' glory. It would have come as no surprise if certain members of the party had gone away and published a thousand or so books or posters of poisonous moral matter simply to incinerate them.Everything was in place to make April 20 magnificent. It would be a day full of burning and cheering.
And book thievery. – from The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
Related Websites
Markus Zusak Website
Publisher’s Website
