Who struggles in the Book Thief and how?
Not only does Max struggle with his situation as a Jew in Nazi Germany, most visibly captured in his dreams where he faces Hitler in a boxing ring, but he also struggles with his own internal guilt of how much his presence is risking the safety of the Hubermann family. Note what he says in the following quote:
Is the Book Thief a true story?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a historical fiction novel, which means that it is a fictional story that is set and told through historically accurate time period and events.The Book Thief by Markus ZusakMarkus ZusakZusak was born in Sydney, Australia. His mother Lisa is originally from Germany and his father Joseph is from Austria.
What is the turning point in the Book Thief?
The climax of the book occurs very near the end of the book when Himmel Street is bombed and Liesel loses all whom she loves. Some major events leading up to this are: 1. The soldiers have...
What books did Liesel Meminger steal in the Book Thief?
What books did Liesel Meminger steal? In The Book Thief, the books Liesel steals are The Grave Digger’s Handbook, The Shoulder Shrug, Mein Kampf, The Whistler, The Dream Carrier, A Song in the Dark, and The Last Human Stranger. Why are books so important to Liesel? Stealing books is important to Liesel as books are her escape from the outside ...
Where does the book the thief take place?
Molching, GermanyThe majority of the novel takes place in the fictional town of Molching, Germany, near Munich, between 1939 and 1943. Death narrates the story of Liesel Meminger, beginning when she is nine years old and suffering from the death of her brother and separation from her mother.
Where is Himmel Street in Germany?
Himmel Street is located in Molching, a fictional German town probably based on Olching. The street is part of the poorer part of town and it is home...
Where in Germany did Liesel live?
Liesel and her mother continue on to Munich, then to a suburb called Molching. Liesel's new foster parents live on Himmel Street, in Molching. Himmel translates as heaven, though the town is neither hellish nor heavenly. Liesel meets her new foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann.
Is Molching Germany real?
Although Molching is fictional there is, however, a city called Olching, which happened to also be next to the concentration camp of Dachau. This could be the inspiration behind the novel and the bombing mentioned.
Where was Dachau concentration camp located?
GermanyAdolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, and in March of that year, Heinrich Himmler announced the first Nazi concentration camp, which opened in the town of Dachau, just outside Munich, a major city in southern Germany.
Where is Munich in Germany map?
Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria. Munich (German: München) is a city, capital of Bavaria (state), in southern Germany....Facts about Munich City, Germany.CountryGermanyDistrictUrban districtCoordinates:48°08′N 11°34′EFirst mentioned1158Subdivisions25 boroughs15 more rows
What is the road of yellow stars?
Then they come to "The road of yellow stars" (8.42). The houses on this road have been vandalized and yellow stars are painted on their walls. (In Nazi Germany, Jews had to wear yellow stars on their clothing, and to mark their houses with yellow stars as well—because the Star of David is a prominent Jewish symbol.)
Where is Liesel Meminger from?
Grew Up... in Nazi Germany. As a child, Liesel's father disappeared, and so her mother was forced to send Liesel and her brother to a foster home. However, her brother dies on the train to German, and Liesel arrives at Molching alone and desperately lonely. Living... with her adoptive parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann.
What street did Liesel live in?
Himmel StreetThen, Liesel meets Hans and Rosa Hubermann, her foster father and mother, who live on Himmel Street. She goes with them, reluctantly. We also learn that the book she found is called The Grave Digger's Handbook. Death gives Liesel the nickname of 'The Book Thief.
Is Bavaria East or West Germany?
Bavaria, German Bayern, largest Land (state) of Germany, comprising the entire southeastern portion of the country.
Was Munich in East Germany or West Germany?
Munich is the economic and cultural center in south east Germany, it is home to the headquarters of BMW and Siemens, two giants in Germany's industry.
Why is München called Munich?
The city's German name, München, is derived from the word Mönch (munich in Old High German), which means monk. A monk is also depicted on the city's coat of arms. Munich was officially chartered as a city in 1175. The Wittelsbach dynasty ruled over Munich and Bavaria from 1180 until 1918.
Why is Liesel called the book thief?
Liesel is the "book thief" referred to in the title because Liesel is fascinated by the power of words. Liesel stole books from a gravedigger, a bonfire and the mayor's wife, Ilsa Herman.
How many copies of The Book Thief have been sold?
Published in 2005, The Book Thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. It was adapted into a 2013 feature film of the same name .
What happened to Liesel after Hans returned home?
After Hans returns home, bombs fall on Liesel's street in Molching, killing all of her friends, family, and neighbors.
What did Ilsa give Liesel?
Ilsa allows Liesel to visit, read, and steal books in her personal library. She also gives Liesel a little black book, which leads Liesel to write her own story, "The Book Thief".
What does Liesel learn from her foster father?
Under tutelage by her foster father Hans, she slowly learns to read and write.
Why does Max befriend Liesel?
During his stay at the Hubermanns' house, Max befriends Liesel, because of their shared 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.
Where did Liesel die?
Many years later, or in the words of Death, "just yesterday" , Liesel dies as an old woman in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, with a family and many friends, but has never forgotten Hans, Rosa, Rudy, and her brother. When Death collects her soul, he gives her the manuscript she lost in the bombing.
Where is the setting of The Book Thief?
Page Citation. Share Link. The setting for The Book Thief is a sad, bleak neighborhood on Himmel Street. Himmel Street is located in the fictional town of Molching, Germany. According to the novel Molching was located close to Munich, Germany. The story starts in 1939 at the beginning of World War II and the story continues on into the war years.
Where does the book Thief take place?
The Book Thief begins with the introductory narration by Death. The narrative starts on a train in January 1939 travelling to the fictional town of Molching, Germany. However, the rest of the setting pays close attention to the actual historical events in Germany at the time it is set, which is during World War II.
Why was Liesel's father taken away?
Liesel's father was taken away because of suspicions that he was a communist. At the beginning of the story, Liesel is on a train with her mother and brother; during the journey, Liesel's little brother dies.”. The Book Thief begins with the introductory narration by Death.
What is the book that Liesel paints over the pages of Mein Kampf called?
For Liesel's birthday, he paints over the pages of Mein Kampf and makes a book for Liesel called The Standover Man. It is the story of his life, how he had to leave his family, about his journey to the Hubermanns, and about Liesel, who has become his friend and watches over him.
Where does the story of Liesel Meminger take place?
The majority of the novel takes place in the fictional town of Molching, Germany , near Munich, between 1939 and 1943. Death narrates the story of Liesel Meminger, beginning when she is nine years old and suffering from the death of her brother and separation from her mother. Liesel goes to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann at 33 Himmel Street in Molching. When Liesel arrives, she can't read and is made fun of in school. She realizes how powerless she is without words, and so Hans, a painter and accordion player, teaches her how to read during midnight lessons in the basement, reading from the book Liesel took from her brother's burial: The Grave Digger's Handbook. During Liesel's early days with the Hubermanns, she has nightmares and Hans sits with her through the night. With his gentle demeanor and his accordion playing, Hans gains Liesel's trust as she grows close to him and comes to associate his presence with safety. She becomes very good friends with Rudy Steiner, the Hubermanns' neighbor. Rudy is constantly trying to get Liesel to kiss him, but she always refuses.
What do Liesel and Rudy take to Ilsa Hermann's house?
On another late-night visit to Ilsa Hermann's house, Liesel and Rudy take the Duden Dictionary and Thesaurus, which appears to have been placed by the window as a gift. Liesel finds a letter inside from Frau Hermann, saying that Liesel is welcome to come in the front door, too.
Why did Ilsa Hermann give Liesel a black journal?
Three days later, Ilsa Hermann shows up at Liesel's front door and gives her a black journal so that she can write the words of her own story. Then, in October 1943, bombs fall on Himmel Street while everyone sleeps. Liesel, though, sits in the basement writing her story in her journal. She survives.
Why does Liesel send Max away?
Liesel sees their suffering, and Hans tries to help one of them. Because of Hans's actions, they must send Max away because Hans is afraid the Gestapo will come to search their house.
What book does Hans promise Frau Vandenburg?
Hans agrees to hide Max in his basement and sends the key to his house inside the front cover of Mein Kampf , a book written by Hitler. In an ironic twist, it is this book that holds the key to Max's life.
What book did Liesel learn to read?
She realizes how powerless she is without words, and so Hans, a painter and accordion player, teaches her how to read during midnight lessons in the basement, reading from the book Liesel took from her brother's burial: The Grave Digger's Handbook.
Initial Thoughts on Finishing
Oh my god. Nothing will ever be the same. This book has ruined all other books forever.
What Happens
For the benefit of those who don’t know, this is a book set in WWII Nazi Germany on a quiet street of little consequence with characters who are fit to burst with personalities.
Liesel & Rudy
These two are the stars of the show. They’re fast friends, in a sort of reluctant way, and the story is seasoned with cheeky remarks from Rudy asking Liesel for a kiss. They do most things together because they’re neighbours and the same age and I adore how simple their friendship is, really.
Historical Context
Perhaps I’m biased. If you know me, or read my reviews, you’ll know that I love history (it’s quite literally very almost my life). And Nazi Germany, or just WWII, is quite often a favourite era amongst history buffs. I am no exception. I love this representation of this world and I love that it’s not about the fighting, not really.
What About the Movie?
Ah, the movie The movie was beautiful. When I first watched it I remember walking out of the cinema feeling what can only be described as emotionally bruised and randomly exclaiming throughout the following week BUT IT CAN’T BE. NEIN.
Summary
I don’t think I need to turn this into an essay (just kidding, I already have) but I think you get the point. YOU NEED TO READ THIS, PEOPLE. I’ve actually managed to go the whole review, I’ve just realised, without bringing up the topic of books. So: this book is a story about the impact of books. There you go.
Overview
The Book Thief is a novel by the Australian author Markus Zusak, and it is one of his most popular works. Published in 2005, The Book Thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. It was adapted into the 2013 feature film, The Book Thief.
The novel is about the adventures of Liesel Meminger in Germany during a tim…
Plot
Narrated by Death, a male voice, who over the course of the book proves to be morose yet caring. The plot follows Liesel Meminger as she comes of age. After the death of her younger brother on a train to the fictional Himmel Street in the fictional town of Molching, Germany, Liesel arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, distraught and withdrawn. During a football match, she meets a boy named Rudy Steiner and whenever she wins, Rudy throws a s…
Characters
Death Death, the collector of souls, arrayed in any or all the world's colors when it comes, narrates the story of a young girl coming of age during the horrific times of Nazi Germany and the Second World War. To the reader, Death insists that it "most definitely can be cheerful", even affable, but also relates that it most certainly cannot be nice. And sometimes Death is "compelled" to take action in sympathy with the human story.
Themes
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 …
Recognition
• 2006: Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)
• 2006: School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• 2006: Daniel Elliott Peace Award
• 2006: Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
Film adaptation
A film adaptation was released on 8 November 2013. 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. Much of the movie was filmed in Görlitz, Germany.
External links
• The Book Thief on Fantastic Fiction
• The Book Thief study guide, quotes, themes, literary devices, teacher resources
• Schaefer, Sandy (March 2012). "'Downton Abbey' Director Hired For 'The Book Thief'". Screen Rant.