Tuesday, October 4, 2011

If a Book Falls in the Forest...Lessons from The Book Thief.

I'm reading an astonishing YA novel, The Book Thief. Heard of it, by chance? I'm probably the last aspiring kid writer on the planet to read it, but I am flabbergasted by Zusak's use of language, his wit, his inventiveness, and his take-no-prisoners approach to historical fiction. Zusak must break every rule, contort every piece of advice, I've ever read or heard about writing for children, and it's brilliant. Just as inspiring is Zusak's contention in the video below that even if he knew, in advance, that not a single person would ever read his book, that it would never be published, that it would sink into obscurity, he still would have written it. In exactly that way.




With all the hugger-muggering about perfecting queries, and writing synopses (which I'm in the process of doing today), and following agents on Twitter, and stalking editors on Facebook, I have to say I find listening to Zusak talk about his passion for writing "somebody's favorite book" incredibly satisfying. I don't think I could get more spiritual uplift from meeting the Dalai Lama himself.

New friends and readers and fellow bloggers, Paradoxy is going dark until next Monday; I'm off to New York (without my computer) to see some art and eat my way across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Thanks for all the lurve, and I'll be visiting your sites when I get home next week. In the meantime, may Zusak's "ray of light" shine down upon you all.

14 comments:

  1. I have this book on my nightstand TBR. I've heard great reviews about it.
    Have a blast in NYC!

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  2. I loved this book and sobbed like a child while reading! Absolutely fabulous writing, and what a story!

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  3. My wife (who is a sixth grade teacher) LOVED this book. She strongly recommends it to her students. And it's on my list of books to read :) I'm glad you're liking it!

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  4. I would love to have that sort of confidence in my work. To cool!

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  5. You are not the last! I have not read it yet. But now I guess I have to move it up my TRP pile! Have a great time in NYC :)

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  6. Such a great book. Have fun on your trip! Eat some pizza for me. I LOVE New York.

    Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  7. Actually, I'm probably the last children's writer to read it! It's on my list, but I haven't gotten to it yet.

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  8. I loved this book. I cried and cried when I read it. Enjoy!

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  9. I love Zusak and he's so young! He must have an old soul. Like Laura, I couldn't stop crying at the end of BT.

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  10. You are not the last. The BOOK THIEF is in my nook, but untouched as yet. Currently, editing my dystopian so only reading dystopian...

    Glad to find your blog.

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  11. I love that you posted about The book Theif. I love this book. It's unbelievable. I'm happy to have found your blog.

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  12. Such an amazing read. I think you know I only recently read it myself. Just a master class in and of itself.

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  13. This was an outstanding read! Hope you fill us in on your NYC escapade :)

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  14. What an amazing video! Thank you for sharing. And best of luck on your trip!

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