The Outsiders

The Old Hospital at Fremantle Prison* has probably never been so full** as last night when Markus Zusak gave the annual Leslie Rees Memorial Lecture for Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre. Many celebrated authors and illustrators were among those who came to hear Markus speak about the transforming power of books and his journey as a writer.

At the age of 14, Markus realised for the first time, through the character of Ponyboy, that ‘aloneness’ was OK, that there were others who thought like him, who enjoyed the solitary pursuits of reading and watching films, and that it was possible to be transported to another place and totally believe in the magic of a novel. The Outsiders came into his hands via his school library.

A little later, an English teacher took the risk of exposing his students to great writing, knowing that they were not yet ready, but that some would be later. At 16, Markus was no way near ready for Catch 22, but a few years later he revisited Heller’s novel and saw its genius. He still turns to its brilliance and absurdity after a tough day. Markus paid tribute to teachers and teacher librarians who expose their charges to such excellence, in full knowledge that not all will appreciate it. If not exposed now, when?

Later again, a man as close to Markus as a brother gave him a copy of My Brother Jack, and it was this novel that crystallised for him that it was possible to be a writer. Never discouraged by his own parents, he was horrified that David, the narrator, could be thrown out of the house for bringing a typewriter into the family home, although like David, he was a secret scribbler and a loner.

Three stories. Three gifts.

The Book Thief has now been published in 30 countries. More gifts have been the stories of his own parents’ European childhood that gave him the impetus for the time and place at the core of this novel.  There’s been talk of a film, but nothing firm, and ever-philosophical Markus won’t even mind if it’s a bad one if it does get made. He figures people will say that ‘the book was better’ and therefore buy it, and if it’s a good film, they’ll still read the book. How can he lose?

But there’s a dark side to success. Pressure. Expectations. He’s finding the next novel tough going but if the first pages we were privileged to hear are indicative of what follows, there is another masterful piece of writing on its way.

One of our most personable young writers, Markus charmed the large audience last night with his humour and honesty. And at the end, there was yet another gift, as Jenni Woodruffe, Vice-President of IBBY Australia, presented Markus with his Ena Noel Award for Encouragement.

Markus has spent time this week around the state encouraging young writers as part of the Centre’s Youth Literature Day Programme. And he’ll be back at the Centre on Sunday as part of the Family Open Day, along with Narelle Oliver, Matt Ottley, Jan Ramage, Ellen Hickman and their artwork.

The Leslie Rees Lecture honours the WA writer who won the CBCA’s first award (and only category) in 1946. Deborah Lisson started the evening with a reading from Panic in the Cattle Country and Katy Watson-Kell followed with an extract from Quokka Island.

* The entire prison complex is now a heritage space, with the FCLC housed in the Old Prison Hospital. No ghosts, as the power of literature has created a warm and welcoming space for readers, writers and illustrators to share the joy of reading and writing.

** Too crowded and definitely not the right circumstances to tweet!

She asks Markus a number of questions in the email interview including: There is often a stigma that adult readers have against literature for children and young adults. Have you encountered this stigma yourself?

In an editor’s note she rues that this is only an email interview, for reasons that anyone who has met Markus can readily understand.

Her interview with Mark Haddon, also about the YA/adult crossover publishing scene, is also on the blog.

Markus Zusak has created an international buzz with The Book Thief, which was a Printz Honor Book in 2006 and winner of a prestigious prize in South Africa last year.

This weekend, Markus featured in the regular ‘Why I write‘ column of the Guardian newspaper. Determined to become a writer from the age of 16, Markus offers insights which are worth sharing with any young aspiring writers you know.