Before ‘Yellowjackets,’ One of Its Stars Led the Adaptation of This Beloved WWII Novel

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The Book Thief

Although there have been many great works of fiction about World War II that have emerged since the conclusion of the conflict itself, The Book Thief almost immediately announced itself as a future classic when it hit bookshelves in 2005. Praised for its beautiful prose and frank examination of radicalism in a fascist society, The Book Thief served as a celebration of the real heroes that fought for freedom and integrity during one of the most dangerous periods in human history. The Book Thief was considered to be “unadaptable,” as the novel featured some clever framing devices and internalized moments of introspection that may have been difficult to translate to the screen. However, the adaptation of The Book Thief succeeded thanks to the tremendous breakout performance by Sophie Nélisse, before she became a more recognized star thanks to her acclaimed role on Yellowjackets.

What Is ‘The Book Thief’ About?

Nélisse stars in The Book Thief as the nine-year-old girl Liesel, who is sent to live with her foster parents Rosa (Emily Rush) and Hans Hubermann (Geoffrey Rush) because her birth mother is a member of the Communist Party and no longer feels safe during the rise of the Nazis in Germany. The year is 1939, and Germany has become scarier than ever, as the authoritarian regime of Adolf Hitler has begun to slowly steal away freedoms from those that would potentially try to defend their rights. Although one of Hitler’s key goals is to destroy any literature that he deems to be objectionable, Liesel steals the book of The Gravedigger’s Handbook and slowly begins to learn to read alongside Hans. Although she begins to form a tight friendship with her next-door neighbor, Rudy Steiner (Nico Liersch), the threat of war seeks to separate them. More dangerously, Hans has decided to help house the escaped Jewish man Max Vanderberg (Ben Schnetzer), which makes their household a target for a fascist invasion.

The Book Thief is a very bleak story about the futility of existence, as it even features an opening voiceover by Robert Allam as the personification of Death. Given that the film does not shy away from topics such as assimilation, genocide, and familial conflict, there was a significant amount of pressure put upon Nélisse to give a well-rounded performance that felt realistic within the dire circumstances. She completely succeeds, as Liesel’s curiosity and personability offer an interesting way to examine history. Characters that are living through transformative moments in history often do not recognize it at the time, and it is particularly challenging for Liesel to begin developing as an adolescent when she is surrounded by hate. Nélisse does an excellent job at showing how Liesel faces the world with skepticism but is still able to learn about the nature of love and art as she finds a mentor in Hans.

‘The Book Thief’ Shows War Through a Child’s Eyes

The Book Thief is a very successful examination of World War II because it shows the collapse of Germany's political structure through the eyes of a child who watches the nation give in to its worst leaders. Liesel is aware that she is in a dangerous place from the beginning due to the fear that her mother expressed, but she does end up finding true passion as she finds escapism within the various books that Hans is able to find. The most heartbreaking aspect of the story is Liesel’s recognition that Hans’ kindness is a novelty, and most other citizens would not show the same defiance in the face of evil. The depth that Nélisse shows in her performance is remarkable for a child actor, as she does not risk making the material too saccharine.

The Book Thief required a performance as dynamic as Nélisse’s to be effective, as it did not have the benefit of literally putting the viewer in the head of Liesel like the novel did. Although Nélisse is able to emphasize all of the qualities that had made the character so compelling on the page, she adds a bit of spunk and personality to her performance that offers something new. Although the prospect of a film about the eradication of art as a result of fascism may be a difficult pill to swallow right now given recent events, The Book Thief marked a breakout performance from a young actress that seems destined to become a generational talent.

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