preview

Misconception Of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

Decent Essays

A common misconception of Markus Zusak – author of The Book Thief – is based off the incorrect origin of which culture and religion the book came from. The man is neither German nor Jewish, two main components that show themselves significant in the writing. Although beautifully crafted and eloquent within its wording, The Book Thief is based off secondary sources (told by his mother who lived in a small German village) that take away from the noxious events surrounding the Holocaust. If there was substantial information regarding more realistic scenes than just fiction of German nature, this book would be blooming with positive aspects to review. However, because of the fabricated characters of Liesel and Rudy roaming around the pages …show more content…

Elie Wiesel is a survivor of the Auschwitz, Buna, and Buchenwald concentration camps while neither Markus Zusak nor his fictional protagonist have ever stepped foot beyond the infested prison-like walls, yet the Australian author still receives commission for every book he sells. To further contrast the two books, The Book Thief is narrated by Death (the grim reaper) while Night exemplifies Wiesel’s nonfictional life through his own words, “Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed.... Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.” The individual education of middle and high school students would benefit more from Elie Wiesel’s experiences by obtaining actuality and educating themselves on what really happened. The wording of Markus Zusak dulls the scorching bite of the Jews’ perspective and, much like Hitler’s reign of terror, takes their own stories away from

Get Access