The Book Thief​ (Limited Edition)

Markus Zusak

Illustrated by Alexis Deacon

Introduced by the author

Experience the magic of The Book Thief with this enchanting Folio Society limited edition. We worked closely with author Markus Zusak on this edition which features beautiful illustrations from Alexis Deacon and an exclusive personal letter from author to reader. Limited to just 250 copies don’t miss the chance to own this exceptional edition.

£280.00
£280.00
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Editor’s Note
  1. Sophia Schoepfer, Editor

Death is the teller of this tale, which follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl plucked from her own life and dispatched to a foster family. When Liesel finds a book on the cold graveyard ground, her world changes forever. Marcus Zusak weaves a narrative that is a reckoning of the not-so-distant past with a love letter to humanity, and to literature.

This cult modern classic has been brought to life by Alexis Deacon’s atmospheric illustrations, which Markus said are filled with ‘little gifts and treasures’. Our limited edition is signed by the author and the artist and contains a very special letter to the reader from Markus Zuzak himself.

Limited to 250 copies signed by the author and the artist

488 pages

Typeset in Jenson with Albertus as display

Printed in 2 colours

Black & white title-page spread illustration by Alexis Deacon, 26 original black & white integrated illustrations by Trudy White and 6 double-page spread colour illustrations by Alexis Deacon

Bound in leather and foil blocked in silver on front and spine

Silver foiled top edge

Ribbon marker

Slipcase covered in cloth printed with a design by the artist

Sized at 10˝ x 6 ¾˝

‘It was a great privilege to work with Markus Zusak’s powerful story. I loved being able to draw my own versions of the iconic and memorable characters he has created. I had also previously worked on another wartime story, told from the British perspective during the same momentous years. I was very happy to be given the chance to show another view of the same events, events that have done so much to shape our present time.’
  1. Alexis Deacon, Illustrator


Set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl whose life is forever changed when she discovers the power of words. After her brother’s death, Liesel is sent to live with a foster family on Himmel Street, where she forms deep bonds with her kind-hearted foster father, Hans, and her fiery friend, Rudy.  As the war intensifies, Liesel’s world is filled with books, both stolen and gifted, offering her solace and escape. But as Liesel and her new family harbour a Jewish man in their basement, the dangers of the outside world press ever closer. Narrated by Death, this poignant and unforgettable tale explores the beauty and brutality of human resilience in the darkest of times.​

About Markus Zusak

Markus Zusak was born in 1975 in Sydney, Australia, the youngest of four children of immigrant German and Austrian parents. Strongly encourgaged to read and communicate in English from an early age, he began writing fiction at the age of 16 and later pursued a degree in teaching. He is the author of five books, The Underdog (1999), Fighting Ruben Wolfe (2000), When Dogs Cry (2001), The Messenger (2002), The Book Thief (2005, Folio 2024) and Bridge of Clay (2018). His fifth book, The Book Thief, became an international bestseller selling 17 million copies worldwide. It was translated into 63 languages and adapted into a feature film in 2013 starring Geoffrey Rush. In 2014, Zusak received the American Library Association’s Margaret Edwards Award, for his body of work ranging from The Underdog up to The Book Thief. He is currently working on his next novel.

About Alexis Deacon

Alexis Deacon is a writer and illustrator of children's books. His first book, Slow Loris, was published in 2002 and was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. In 2015 it was named one of the hundred best children's books of all time by Time Magazine.  Since then he has worked in various forms, from the picturebook, Beegu (2003), to the graphic novel series, The Curse of the Chosen (2002), and to books for older readers such as Russel Hoban's last novel, Soonchild (2012). He has twice been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal and is a two time recipient of The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books Award. In 2008 he was chosen by Booktrust as one of the ten best new illustrators of the preceding decade.

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