Caught Red Handed: Books Stolen in Literature

[source: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak]

Books can be a real temptation. The thrill to own them and possess them even drives a few bibliophiles to steal them! Here are a few book lovers who couldn’t resist the temptation of a good book.

[source: HBO ]

Our first book thief is Sam Tarly from A Song of Ice and Fire. Shamed by his family for his love of reading, Sam joins the Nights Watch. His book obsession leads him to train to become a Maester at the Citadel. However, when his teachers refuse to heed his warnings of the Night King, Sam decides to steal the books he needs for his research. Justifiable? You be the judge.

[source: Warner Brothers  ]

Bastian Balthazar Bud is a naughty child with an unfortunate name. His crime is stealing the only copy of The Neverending Story from an antique store. Little does he know that the book will suck him into the pages of the adventure. Bastian does almost die on several occasions, so let’s say he got off with a warning for his crime.

[source: Universal Pictures]

Guy Montag is a fireman. In the world of Fahrenheit 451, firemen burn books which are now outlawed. Curious about the books he burns, Guy does the unthinkable and steals a book. The result of his action leads to death and destruction. But whose?

[source: 20th Century Fox]

Liesel Meminger is what you call a noble thief. She steals books to save them from destruction by the Nazi Party. Her love of books even inspires her to write down her own story, The Book Thief. In this world, it is dangerous to be a book thief and Liesel has much to lose for her transgression.