The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, treads familiar literary territory when the author includes the story of how a German family living in Nazi Germany hides Max, a Jewish man, in their basement. Zusak's novel is an eerie reminder of The Diary of Anne Frank, the story of a Jewish girl who hides with her family in an attic in Amsterdam. An author has to be very brave or quite foolhardy to think he can write a story to rival that. How does Zusak pull off this feat and escape the wrath of critics who consider Anne Frank's story to be the definitive World War II story? That's one of the major questions readers will undoubtedly need to answer while reading our January Sunday Arts Section (SAS) Book Club choice, The Book Thief.
In Zusak's tale, an innocent child becomes the eyes and ears for a Jewish man in hiding. This infusion of innocence into a horrific situation is what injects Zusak's story with unbelievable power.
Having a child harbouring a secret that could endanger everyone's life adds to the suspense. Liesel's stepfather warns that she will lose everyone she loves if she reveals the secret of Max hiding in the basement. Readers want to believe that Liesel is strong enough and wise enough to accept such a responsibility, but children are notorious for slipping up when it comes to keeping secrets.The Book Thief features many unforgettable relationships all connected to Liesel. Liesel's relationship to her stepfather is special because he teaches her to read.
Liesel's relationship to her friend Rudy is a special bond because they share the feelings they can't express to adults. By far the most fascinating relationship is the one between Liesel and the mayor's wife, who possesses a certain rank in society, but cannot manage to be a part of life in any way. She is devastated over the loss of her son, who went missing in World War I, yet she is oblivious to the loss of so many other children–mostly Jewish–in Nazi Germany.Somehow, the mayor's wife suspends all judgment as she allows Liesel to steal books from her library. On some level, Liesel, allow the mayor's wife to feel again.Through Liesel, The Book Thief makes readers ponder the relationships that have meant the most in our lives. This is the magic of The Book Thief.Join us on our SAS Book Club group on Facebook to share your feelings about The Book Thief.
Discussion questions
1. How often do you find yourself thinking about Anne Frank when you are reading the story of Max hiding in the basement?
2. Why do you think the mayor's wife invites Liesel into her library and into her life?
3. In the beginning of the novel, the author introduces readers to Liesel's mother and brother, but he removes them from her life. Why do you think Zusak decided to give Liesel foster parents instead of a family? How would the story have been different if Liesel had lived with her family?