s e
f
l a
iv t B O O K S
FOR MORE
INFO GO TO LIST.CO.UK /FESTIVAL
MARKUS ZUSAK
Best-selling Australian writer makes his Edinburgh International Book Festival debut Success is a magical, fragile and occasionally immobilising thing. In the 13 years since the publication of Markus Zusak’s stupendously popular The Book Thief (which spent over 10 years on The New York Times bestseller list), there was a worry that its triumph had thwarted any future work. With Bridge of Clay, Zusak proves that the lengthy wait was more than worth it. This expansive Australian family saga follows a
band of fi ve brothers left to fend for themselves following the death of their mother and abandonment of their father. In a world with no rules, the Dunbar boys fi nd their own ways to fi ght, love and ultimately grow. One son, Clay, sets about building a bridge in search of something beautiful, and uncovers their father’s secrets in the process.
Zusak fi rst penned Bridge of Clay when he was 20 but knew then it was not yet the book it was supposed to be. The one we have now is the result of decades of adding, refi ning and taking away, until the structure and story was whole.
He’ll chat about his ambitious family saga with author and presenter Janet Ellis at his fi rst Edinburgh International Book Festival appearance. (Lynsey May) ■ Charlotte Square Gardens, 12 Aug, 5pm, £12 (£10).
7–14 Aug 2019 THE LIST FESTIVAL 37