Critical Insights: the Book Thief

Markus Zusak's 2005 novel The Book Thief became an instant international best-seller, was translated into over 60 languages, and was made into a major motion picture. Set during one of the most important places (Nazi Third Reich) and periods (WW II) in twentieth-century history, the novel emphasizes the value of family, love, literature, and friendship and the ways these influences help people cope during the darkest times. This volume explores Zusak's work from diverse perspectives, setting it in various contexts and examining the traits that make it a significant work of literature.