Readers’ Club Activity

The Readers’ Club of the Dept. of English organized a group discussion on 26 September 2018 for all the students of the University from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.. The students indulged in a comparative analysis of the historical novel, The Book Thief (2005), written by the Australian author Markus Zusak with its cinematic adaptation by the same name (2013) directed by Brian Percival. After a brief introduction to the plot of the text and the movie, the students shared their interpretations of the symbolism of Death as the omniscient narrator of every human being’s life. They continued to brainstorm how the relationships of the young characters sprout against the backdrop of the whole World War II scenario. The title became the next food for thought for the students as they understood how words, books and aesthetics provide solace to the seeker during the horrors of the Holocaust. The irony of the protagonist, Liesel, being a book thief under the glare of the book-burning Nazis also kept them involved in the discussion. A few of the differences between the original text and its adaptation (like the difference in the dialogues or omission or addition of a few scenes) also held importance for the participants of the activity. The students left the venue with an enhanced understanding of the wonderful page-turner text and the thought-provoking film .