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Markus Zusak

マーカス・フランク・ズサック

Markus Zusak

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1975-06-23 （Sydney, Australia）
Nationality
Australian, German
Languages
English
Residence History
Sydney, Australia

Career

Occupations
Writer, Novelist
Active Years
1999-

Education

Engadine High School
Country: Australia
Briefly returned to teach English while writing
University of New South Wales
English and History
Degree: Bachelor of Arts; Diploma of Education
Country: Australia
Studied English and history

Awards

Margaret Edwards Award
2014
Work: Fighting Ruben Wolfe; When Dogs Cry; The Messenger; The Book Thief
Organization: American Library Association (YALSA)
Result: Winner
The Sydney Morning Herald Young Australian Novelist of the Year Award
2006
Organization: The Sydney Morning Herald
Result: Winner
Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers
2001
Work: Fighting Ruben Wolfe
Organization: Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)
Result: Honor
Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers
2002
Work: When Dogs Cry
Organization: Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)
Result: Honor
Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers
2003
Work: The Messenger
Organization: Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)
Result: Winner
New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards: Ethel Turner Prize
2003
Work: The Messenger
Category: Young People's Literature
Organization: New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards
Result: Winner
Michael L. Printz Award
2007
Work: The Book Thief
Organization: Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
Result: Honor
Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (Youth Jury)
2007
Work: The Book Thief
Category: Jugendjury
Organization: Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
Result: Winner
Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (Youth Jury)
2009
Work: The Book Thief
Category: Jugendjury
Organization: Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
Result: Winner
Cybils Award
2006
Work: The Book Thief
Category: Young Adult Fiction
Organization: Cybils
Result: Finalist
Kathleen Mitchell Award
2006
Organization: Kathleen Mitchell Trust
Result: Winner
National Jewish Book Award (Children's and Young Adult Literature)
2006
Work: The Book Thief
Organization: Jewish Book Council
Result: Winner
Ena Noël Award for Encouragement
2008
Organization: IBBY Australia
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Book Thief

2005 Historical fiction, Young adult 552 pages

Set in Nazi Germany, narrated in part by Death, the novel follows young Liesel Meminger as she grows up, finds solace in stolen books, and navigates friendship and loss against the backdrop of war.

WarDeath and mortalityPower of words and booksFriendshipComing of age
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Book Thief / Brian Percival (2013)
Translations
  • Translated into more than 40 languages; an international bestseller

The Messenger (I Am the Messenger)

2002 Young adult, Contemporary fiction

Follows Ed Kennedy, a down-and-out cab driver who begins to receive mysterious playing cards directing him to help others, leading to personal growth and revelations.

ResponsibilitySelf-discoveryActs of kindness
Adaptations
  • [TV series] The Messenger (2023)
Translations
  • Published in multiple languages; known as I Am the Messenger in the U.S.

Bridge of Clay

2018 Family saga, Literary fiction

A multi-generational family saga centered on the Clay brothers and the construction of a symbolic bridge; explores loss, memory, and reconciliation.

FamilyLoss and healingMemory
Translations
  • A Junior Library Guild selection

The Underdog

1999 Young adult

An early work focusing on the Wolfe brothers, exploring family, hardship, and adolescent life.

FamilyComing of ageFriendship

Fighting Ruben Wolfe

2000 Young adult

Continues the story of the Wolfe brothers as they deal with family tensions and the realities of life through boxing and loyalty.

BrotherhoodStruggleFamily

When Dogs Cry (Getting the Girl)

2001 Young adult

Explores family dynamics, friendship, and first love through the emotional life of young protagonists.

LoveFamilyComing of age

Three Wild Dogs and the Truth

2024 Non-fiction, Memoir-type essay

A memoir-like non-fiction work in which Zusak reflects on personal memories and fragments of everyday life.

MemoirPersonal memoryThe writing process

Bibliography

  • The Underdog (1999)
  • Fighting Ruben Wolfe (2000)
  • When Dogs Cry (2001) / Getting the Girl
  • I Am the Messenger / The Messenger (2002)
  • The Book Thief (2005)
  • Bridge of Clay (2018)
  • Three Wild Dogs and the Truth (2024)

Adaptations

  • The Book Thief (film, 2013)
  • The Messenger (TV series, 2023)

Translations of Works

  • 'The Book Thief' Japanese translation
  • 'The Messenger' Japanese translation

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Poetic and lyrical narrationFrequent use of metaphor and symbolismUnique perspective (Death as narrator)
Recurring Motifs
Books and literacyColor imageryDeath and fateFamily bonds

Legacy

Zusak achieved international recognition with works such as 'The Book Thief'. His books have been translated into over 40 languages, adapted for film and television, and he is regarded as an important figure in contemporary young adult literature.

Academic Societies

  • Recognized by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
  • Works acknowledged by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)

In Popular Culture

  • Film adaptation of 'The Book Thief' (2013)
  • TV adaptation of 'The Messenger' (2023)

Quotes

  • I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.
    Source: The Book Thief (2005)

Trivia

  • His mother is from Germany and his father is Austrian; both immigrated to Australia.
  • Born and raised in Sydney; attended Engadine High School.
  • Married to Mika Zusak and has three children.
  • Won the Margaret Edwards Award in 2014.
  • 'The Book Thief' was adapted into a film in 2013.