Barrett Bookstore is pleased to welcome Markus Zusak to Darien on Monday, March 14, as part of his ten city tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the publication of The Book Thief, the international bestseller that has reached over 10 million readers.
Markus Zusak, author of \”The Book Thief\” is coming to Darien on Monday, March 14.
Mr. Zusak will address the students at Darien High School. The book has been a staple, both in the Darien school curriculum and on summer reading recommended lists.
“Darien High School is thrilled that our students will have the opportunity to meet such a popular and highly acclaimed author,” says Jackie Bennett, librarian at the school.
Following this event, Zusak will sign copies of the special hardcover 10thAnniversary edition at Barrett Bookstore, 314 Heights Road, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This keepsake version contains 14 pages of bonus content including marked-up manuscript pages, original sketches and pages from Zusak’s writing notebook, as well as a letter from the author and a new jacket.
The public is welcome and copies of the new edition are available for pre-order at Barrett Bookstore.
To conclude his visit, Zusak will be at the Avon Theatre, 272 Bedford St., Stamford, at 7 p.m. to speak about The Book Thief. This will be followed by a showing of the acclaimed movie starring Emily Watson and Geoffrey Rush. Contact the Avon Theatre at 203-661-0321 for tickets and information.
Originally published in March 2006,The Book Thief received immediate critical acclaim and went on to receive numerous awards.
In 2009, Darien Library chose The Book Thief to kick off their “One Book, One Community” program, purchasing 280 copies which were checked out more than 1,600 times during the program.
Since then both teen and adult book groups across the country have embraced this haunting and lyrical story of a young girl and the resilience of the human spirit.
Set in Germany in 1939 and narrated by the poetic voice of Death, the book introduces Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist—books.
With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids, as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.
This remarkable story explores the power of words and their ability to incite, to destroy, and also to heal.
“As the world again faces a different evil, it seems crucial to remind readers of the power of words to inspire freedom and love in the midst of chaos and control,” said Sheila Daley, owner of Barrett Bookstore. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.