Hay festival: Markus Zusak on The Book Thief

The Guardian

1 Jun 200903:08

Summary

TLDRIn this interview, Marcus Zusak discusses his book 'The Book Thief,' a unique perspective on Nazi Germany told through the eyes of a young girl who steals books. He shares the personal connection to his parents' experiences and the challenge of telling their story amidst a well-explored historical period. Zusak also reveals his writing process, the choice of Death as the narrator, and his current reading list, including 'The Great Gatsby' and works by WP Kinsella.

Takeaways

📖 The speaker, Marcus, discusses his book *The Book Thief*, which is about a girl growing up in Nazi Germany and stealing books.
📝 The main theme involves the girl 'stealing back words' and creating her own story in a dark, destructive world.
⚔️ Writing about World War II and Nazi Germany was challenging for Marcus because it's a well-covered topic, but he focused on a personal story inspired by his parents' experiences.
❤️ Marcus felt a responsibility to tell his parents' story authentically, focusing on their individual narrative rather than the larger historical context.
💀 He chose Death as the narrator of the book, reflecting on the constant presence of death during wartime and how death can highlight human kindness.
🕰️ Marcus imagines Death observing the girl and seeing humanity's worth through her actions, even in horrific times.
🖋️ Marcus describes his writing process as starting early in the morning, working from around 7 am to noon, taking breaks, and writing both in a notebook and on a computer.
📚 He recently read *The Great Gatsby* for the first time in preparation for attending a seven-hour play adaptation.
📖 He is currently reading short stories by W.P. Kinsella, a writer he admired as a teenager.
📚 His favorite author is Michael Chabon, particularly enjoying *The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay* and *Wonder Boys*.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Marcus Zusak's book 'The Book Thief'?
-The main theme of 'The Book Thief' is a girl growing up in Nazi Germany who steals books, symbolizing the act of reclaiming words and writing her own story amidst the ugliness of war.
Why did Marcus Zusak choose to write 'The Book Thief'?
-Marcus Zusak wrote 'The Book Thief' as a personal endeavor to tell the story of his parents growing up during that era, focusing on a personal level rather than the broader historical context.
Why did Zusak choose Death as the narrator of 'The Book Thief'?
-Zusak chose Death as the narrator because war and death are often seen as inseparable, and he wanted to have a character omnipresent during wartime who could observe the protagonist's actions and reflect on humanity's worth.
How does Marcus Zusak approach writing?
-Zusak approaches writing by working early in the day, from around seven until midday, then taking a break and doing more work in the afternoon. He starts by writing in a notebook and later transfers it to a computer.
What is Zusak's opinion on the challenge of writing a book set in World War 2 or Nazi Germany?
-Zusak finds it challenging to write a book set in World War 2 or Nazi Germany because the setting has been extensively covered, but he believes in focusing on personal stories to find a unique perspective.
What does Marcus Zusak think about his publisher's view of his working process?
-Zusak humorously suggests that if his publisher saw his working process, they might take away the money they've given him, implying that he sometimes feels unproductive despite working effectively.
What book did Marcus Zusak recently read for the first time?
-Marcus Zusak recently read 'The Great Gatsby' for the first time, in preparation for a seven-hour production of the play based on the book.
Who are some of the authors that Marcus Zusak enjoys reading?
-Zusak mentions enjoying the works of W.P. Kinsella, particularly loved as a teenager, and currently favors Michael Chabon, author of 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay' and 'Wonder Boys'.
What is Marcus Zusak's experience at the Hay Festival?
-Zusak finds the Hay Festival to be great, appreciating the generous spirit of the attendees who come with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the authors.
What is the significance of the books the girl steals in 'The Book Thief'?
-The books the girl steals in 'The Book Thief' symbolize the power of words and stories to provide hope and humanity in the face of the horrors of war.
How does 'The Book Thief' reflect on the nature of humanity according to Marcus Zusak?
-Through the acts of the protagonist stealing books and the narration by Death, 'The Book Thief' reflects on the capacity for kindness and worth in humans even amidst the atrocities of war.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Storytelling Power of Words

The author, Marcus Sue, discusses his book 'The Book Thief,' which is set in Nazi Germany and follows a girl who steals books. He explains that the story is a metaphor for reclaiming words and writing one's own narrative amidst a harsh reality. The author's challenge was to tell this story in a unique way, avoiding clichés and focusing on personal experiences, particularly those of his parents. He chose Death as the narrator to provide an omnipresent perspective during the war, highlighting the girl's acts of kindness amidst horror. The author also shares his writing process, which involves working early in the day and transferring ideas from notebook to computer. He mentions reading 'The Great Gatsby' and enjoying the works of Michael Chabon, particularly 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay' and 'Wonder Boys.' Lastly, he reflects on the positive experience of being at the Hay Festival, appreciating the receptive audience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Book Thief

The 'Book Thief' refers to the main character of the book mentioned in the transcript, a girl growing up in Nazi Germany who steals books. This character symbolizes the power of literature and knowledge amidst the oppressive environment of war. The act of stealing books is a metaphor for reclaiming the power of words and stories that were being destroyed by the regime.

💡Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany refers to the period in history when Germany was under the rule of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party). The mention of Nazi Germany in the transcript sets the historical context of the story, highlighting the extreme conditions under which the protagonist lives and the challenges she faces.

💡Words

In the transcript, 'words' are portrayed as powerful tools that can both destroy and create. The protagonist uses words to write her own story, which is a form of resistance against the oppressive regime that seeks to control narratives. Words are the medium through which she asserts her identity and humanity.

💡Death

Death is chosen as the narrator of the book, which is an unconventional choice that underscores the omnipresence of death during wartime. It also serves as a reminder of the stakes and the fragility of life, providing a stark contrast to the acts of kindness and the will to live expressed through the protagonist's actions.

💡Personal Level

The author's approach to writing the book is described as focusing on the 'personal level', meaning that the story is told through the intimate experiences of individuals rather than broad historical events. This approach allows for a deeper emotional connection with the characters and their struggles.

💡Responsibility

The author speaks of a 'greater responsibility' to tell the story of his parents growing up in Nazi Germany. This sense of responsibility is tied to the authenticity and accuracy of the narrative, aiming to honor their experiences and do justice to their memories.

💡Unique Way

The author's desire to find a 'unique way' of telling the story reflects the challenge of creating something fresh and engaging within a well-explored historical context. It also speaks to the author's creative process and the importance of originality in storytelling.

💡The Great Gatsby

Mentioning 'The Great Gatsby' in the transcript indicates the author's engagement with classic literature and his preparation for a theatrical adaptation of the book. It also serves as a nod to the enduring influence of literature on the author's work.

💡WP Kinsella

WP Kinsella is mentioned as a writer the author loved as a teenager, suggesting the influence of various authors on his writing style and preferences. This reference also provides insight into the author's literary background and inspirations.

💡Michael Chabon

Michael Chabon is identified as the author's current favorite writer, which implies the impact of Chabon's work on the author's own writing. Chabon's books are known for their rich storytelling and character development, qualities that the author may aspire to in his own work.

💡Hay Festival

The Hay Festival is mentioned as a venue where the author has participated, indicating his engagement with the literary community and his interactions with readers. The festival is known for fostering a spirit of generosity and openness, which the author appreciates.

Highlights

The Book Thief is about a girl growing up in Nazi Germany, stealing books, and reclaiming words in a time of destruction.

The narrator of the book is Death, chosen because war and death are often seen as companions.

The story is based on the author's parents' experiences growing up, making it a deeply personal narrative.

The author's focus was more on telling a personal story rather than focusing on the historical context of Nazi Germany.

Death, as the narrator, observes the girl stealing books and doing kind things in the midst of the horrors of war.

The author found it challenging to write a book set during World War II due to the saturation of stories about that period.

The Book Thief aims to show that humans are worthwhile despite the terrible things Death has witnessed.

The author’s writing process involves working in the morning from 7 AM to midday, followed by a break and some work in the afternoon.

He starts writing in a notebook, then transfers the work to a computer, refining it as he goes.

At the time of the interview, the author had just finished reading The Great Gatsby for the first time.

The author was reading short stories by WP Kinsella, a writer he loved as a teenager.

Michael Chabon, author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and Wonder Boys, is one of his favorite writers.

The author enjoys rereading Michael Chabon’s works and finds them highly enjoyable.

The author appreciates the generosity of readers at the Hay Festival and their engagement with the sessions.

Readers at the Hay Festival bring a generous spirit, making the sessions enjoyable and lively for the author.