It was “The Thief Lord.”
Glossary
ITALIAN WORDS USED IN THE THIEF LORD
Accademia, Galleria dell’ Academy of Fine Arts (biggest gallery and museum in Venice)
angelo angel
arrivederci good-bye
avanti let’s go; forward
basilica chapel
Basilica St. Marco private chapel of the Doges until 1807 when it became St. Marks Cathedral
basta enough; that will do
benissimo excellent; very good
bricocola/briccole wooden post that marks shallow areas in the lagoon to prevent crafts from running aground
buonanotte good night
buonasera good evening
buongiorno good morning; good afternoon (a greeting)
buonritorno have a good return trip
caffe coffee
calle alley; street
campo open square
Campo Santa Margherita St. Margaret’s Square
cara my dear
Carabiniere/Carabinieri policeman/police
casa house
chiuso closed
Doge chief magistrate
dottore doctor
fondamenta paved walkway beside a canal
gondola famous flat-bottomed taxi boats of Venice
gondolieri driver of a gondola
grazie thank you
isola island
lira Italian monetary unit
palazzo palace or large building
Palazzo Ducale Palace of the Doges
pasticceria pastry shop
pazienza patience
piazza square
Piazza San Marco St. Marks Square
ponte bridge
pronto ready; hello (only when answering the telephone)
Rialto market district by the Grand Canal in Venice
sacca bag
salotto sitting room; reception room
salve hi; hello
scusi excuse me
si yes
signora/signore Mrs.; Madam/Mr.; Sir
va bene all right; fine; okay
vaporett/vaporetti waterbus/waterbusses
vietato l’ingresso no entry; no admission
AFTER WORDS™
CORNELIA FUNKE’S
The Thief Lord
CONTENTS
Clara’s Letter: The Story Behind The Thief Lord
Q&A with Cornelia Funke
Welcome to Venice!
More from Cornelia Funke
— including an exclusive look at Inkspell
After Words™ guide by Aimee Friedman
Clara’s Letter: The Story Behind The Thief Lord
As you may know, Cornelia Funke originally wrote The Thief Lord in German. Titled Herr der Deibe (literally, The Lord of Thieves), the book was an enormous success in Funke’s native Germany. But with the help of a plucky young reader named Clara, the novel made its way to the shores of England … and, after that, America! So it’s thanks to this Clara that you now hold a copy of The Thief Lord in your hands.
From Barry Cunningham, the Publisher of The Chicken House — the British company that published The Thief Lord — here is the magical story of Clara’s unforgettable letter:
Back in 2001, I received a wonderful letter from a bilingual young book lover living in England. The letter was addressed to “The Editor who published Harry Potter.” In it, eleven-year-old Clara Baganel George wrote that she wanted to know why her favorite German children’s author wasn’t published in English. Clara had just finished reading Cornelia Funke’s The Thief Lord with her German mother. In her letter, Clara recounted the story in vivid detail and wrote an intriguing list of the novel’s best “ingredients” for a very special and delicious book!
Two orphaned brothers
A gang of runaway children
A mysterious robbery
A greedy junk shop owner
A kind detective
A big secret about the Thief Lord
A brave and warm-hearted lady
A lost and magical carousel
Who could resist? I tracked down the novel. Cornelia Funke, it turned out, was already one of Germany’s best-selling children’s book authors. Her book, filled with fantastically rich detail and gripping storytelling, can only be called a classic. We made our offer and the rest is history — the critics shared Clara’s enthusiasm and the book has now sold more than half a million copies worldwide … and the movie is in the making. We have also gone on to publish more great novels by Cornelia Funke, the astounding Inkheart and The New York Times number one bestseller Dragon Rider.
Clara and Cornelia are now firm friends, and Cornelia actually asks for Clara’s opinion on all her new work! So remember … next time you send a letter, you might just change your destiny!
Thank you, Clara, for sharing Cornelia Funke with all of us!
Barry Cunningham, Publisher, The Chicken House
Q&A with Cornelia Funke
Cornelia Funke has become one of today’s most beloved writers of magical stories for children. She lives in Hamburg, Germany, with her husband and children. The following is an interview with the best-selling author:
Q: Where did the idea for The Thief Lord come from?
A: I first had the idea for The Thief Lord when I was — where else? — in Venice! While I was there, I remembered how, as a child, I always wanted to be an adult. So I decided to write a story about a boy who so strongly longs to be a grown-up that he pretends to be one … and makes others believe he is! And Venice, of course, helped me to tell the story. In fact, I think of the city as a main character in the book.
There are other sources for how the story came to be. When I worked as a social worker, I encountered many different children. I never forgot the tenderness and devotion siblings showed one another, when parents often failed to play that protective role. And the children’s courage with which they faced their sometimes tough family life left a real impression on me (but I also learned from these children that being brave doesn’t always necessarily mean you get a happy ending).
Q: Why did you choose to set the novel in Venice?
A: You can’t physically visit Hogwarts, or Neverland or Middle-earth. But you can certainly travel to Venice. I wanted to show my readers that there is a magical place in their world that they can actually visit.
Q: Where did you get the inspiration for the characters? Did you model Prosper and Bo on anyone you know?
A: Well, Bo is almost an exact copy of my son, Ben, when he was five years old. And, yes, I met boys very much like Prosper when I worked as a social worker — boys who take on the role of the father, when the real father is either absent or neglectful.
Q: Who is your favorite character in the novel?
A: Scipio is certainly the most dashing character. But, as a girl reading this book, I think I would have fallen in love with Prosper. And the other favorite character of mine is Victor.
Q: Did you put yourself in the story as a character in any way?
A: Not really. I am maybe a little bit like Ida, but I would never have dared to go to the Isola Segreta at night!
Q: Do you have tortoises at home?
A: Sadly, I do not. My dog would either mistake them for bones to chew on or a toy to bite into!
Q: Do you ever wish you could turn back time and be a child again?
A: I don’t. As a child, I always wanted to be an adult and now I finally am! Being an adult is very freeing: I can realize my dreams, I don’t have to go to school (though I admit that I enjoyed school). I can move to any place I like, I can stay up late if I wish, watch any movie, have my own family, children, a husband…. No, I wouldn’t ride the merry-go-round.
Q: Why a magical carousel?
A: By chance, before writing the book, I came across a photo of a very old merry-go-round in a wild Italian garden. That photo gave me the inspiration for the magic carousel in the book.
Q: The Thief Lord was translated
from German to English. How did it feel to read the book in English?
A: Wonderful. Enchanting. I read the English aloud to myself.
Q: How do you feel about The Thief Lord being made into a film?
A: I am excited about it. I have high hopes for it. But even if it doesn’t quite live up to the book … there will still always be the original book for readers to return to.
Q: Did you enjoy being on the set of the movie?
A: I loved being there and seeing the characters come to life. It was such a special thrill to walk across the Piazza San Marco with the actors portraying Prosper, Bo, Hornet, Riccio, Mosca, and Scipio. Another very special moment was when I watched the actor playing Victor feed the pigeons to trap Bo.
Q: What do you wish for the children in The Thief Lord in the future?
A: I wish that they would all grow up unharmed in body and soul and heart. I wish them friends, love, the feeling of belonging, and protection when they feel sad or weak … but I know it will be hard, especially for Riccio and Mosca.
Welcome to Venice!
(Benvenuto a Venezia!)
Ah, Venice! City of canals, narrow alleyways, grand palaces, masks, and mysteries. And Venice is also, of course, the setting for Prosper and Bo’s many thrilling adventures. Maybe you’d like to have a few adventures of your own in Venice someday. If so, this guide to Venice, Italy, packed with interesting tidbits and tips, is perfect for you — whether you’re planning a trip or just want to learn more about this fascinating city!
But first, let’s find out if Venice is a place you’d enjoy visiting….
Quiz: Would You Enjoy a Trip to Venice?
Answer True or False to the questions below.
1) I want to visit the places where The Thief Lord’s adventures unfold.
2) It would be fun to take a boat ride down a canal.
3) I love eating pizza and pasta and would like to try the smooth, creamy ice cream known as gelato.
4) I enjoy looking at beautiful buildings, sculptures, and paintings.
5) I would like to learn to speak Italian.
If you answered True to three or more of these questions, then you would have a blast traveling to Venice!
If you answered False to three or more of these questions, maybe you just need to learn a little more about Venice — chances are, there’s something in this one-of-a-kind city that you’ll love.
So How Did Today’s Venice Come to Be?
Venice is really hundreds of small islands in a lagoon, connected by bridges. As a city built entirely on water, it has managed to survive into the 21st century without cars; everybody gets around on foot or crosses the waterways by a variety of boats. Venice originally grew out of small towns built on ancient mudflats of a lagoon. This explains the canals that run throughout the city.
Legend has it that Venice was founded in 421 AD, on April 25th. The twenty-fifth of April is St. Mark’s Day, and St. Mark (in Italian, San Marco) is the patron saint of Venice. The winged lion that represents Venice is also a symbol of St. Mark.
In 726 AD, after centuries of being ruled by the ancient Byzantine Empire, the Venetians officially elected their own leader —the first Doge (or Duke), named Orso Ipato. After that, Venice went on to establish itself as a powerful center for trade and commerce. During the Middle Ages, the Venetian merchant Marco Polo made his famous journey from Venice to the Far East, bringing back with him, among many other things, the Chinese recipe for noodles … that developed into Italian pasta!
Despite enduring two ravaging plagues — one in 1348 and the other in 1630 — Venice continued to thrive. In 1727, Napoleon conquered the Venetian Republic, and Venice became part of the Austrian Hapsburg Empire. In 1860, the republic won its independence from the Hapsburgs, and, in 1866, Venice became part of Italy. Fortunately, Venice’s buildings and sculptures survived unharmed during World War I (1914—18) and World War II (1939—45). In 1966, a huge flood caused serious damage, since the water rose higher than the floor level of many buildings. Some of Venice’s ancient buildings are still in a bit of disrepair, but are as beautiful as ever.
Venice has a varied and exciting history and will certainly continue to grow and change over time. As a very popular tourist spot, as well as a bustling urban center, the future looks bright for Venice.
The Top Five Things to Do and See in Venice
There is so much to do in Venice, you could spend weeks there and never once be bored. It’s nearly impossible to narrow down Venice’s many exciting options to just five picks, but the activities listed below are good basics to start with. And remember that Venice is also a great city for walking: Exploring the winding alleyways, rummaging through mask shops, and stopping by the Campo San Polo — the city’s biggest square — for some playtime are a few of the best ways to spend your time there!
1) Water, water everywhere
What makes Venice one of the world’s most unique cities is its 177 canals. The largest canal is the majestic Grand Canal, which runs from Piazzele Roma to the Piazza San Marco. If you want to explore Venice by water, you’ve got tons of fun options. There are gondolas, the flat-bottomed boats that are poled by gondoliers. Gondola rides usually last about an hour and are most magical at night. Then there are vaporettos, or water buses, that go up and down the Grand Canal regularly, as well as plentiful water taxis. Keep an eye out for colorful fire-boats, sanpierotas, and bragozzas. A ride in any of these types of boats is sure be amazing!
2) Feed the birds
As you know from The Thief Lord, Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is the very heart of Venice. This bustling square is full of cafes, beautiful palaces, musicians playing, and, of course, lots of pigeons (remember Victor?). The pigeons in Piazza San Marco are practically famous; just buy a little bag of corn and start feeding the hungry cluckers. Soon you’ll have made lots of feathery new friends!
3) Bells are ringing
In Piazza San Marco is the famous Basilica San Marco, which is a huge, ornate, ancient church. Wandering through the amazing building is a great experience. Be sure to check out the porch of the church to see replicas of the four life-size bronze horses, brought over in the 13th century. (The original bronze horses are in the museum in the basilica.) Near the basilica is the Tower of the Clock, where two figures beat their hammers on a large bell to chime the hour. And you can even climb up into the tower to see how the clock works!
4) Fit for a Doge
Also in Piazza San Marco is one of Venice’s most spectacular palaces: The Doge’s Palace. As noted above, doge means duke; this palace was the official home of the 120 doges who ruled Venice from 697 to 1797. The palace is filled with lots of different rooms for you to tour. One of the best — if spookiest — parts of the palace is its old prison. Be sure to make your way through the labyrinth of narrow passageways, and read the graffiti scratched onto the walls by prisoners over the centuries. Then, pay a visit to the armory, which features a fascinating collection of weapons and suits of armor from all over the world!
5)Mangia!
That’s “eat!” in Italian, and in Venice, there is plenty of eating to be done. There is, of course, delicious pizza to be had nearly everywhere, and pasta comes in all shapes and sizes — some in the shape of masks or gondolas! — and with a variety of sauces, from creamy to tomato. As would be expected of a city surrounded by water, fish and seafood are staples of Venice’s cuisine. The city is packed full of restaurants and cafes, so have fun exploring — your tummy will thank you!
And no trip to Venice would be complete without a taste — or many — of gelato. This rich, creamy ice cream is an Italian specialty, and you can enjoy an array of flavors, from chocolate to vanilla to hazelnut. Gelatarias can be found everywhere, so be sure to stop by one for a delicious dessert.
More from Cornelia Funke — including an exclusive look at Inkspell
If you loved The Thief Lord, you’ll definitely enjoy Cornelia Funke’s other two novels, Dragon Rider and Inkheart.
What are they all about?
DRAGON RIDER
A boy. A dragon. A quest. Firedrake, Ben, and their furry friend, Saffron, are in search of the mythical place where dragons can live in peace forever. Together they embark on a journey that takes them to magical lands where they meet marvelous creatures — and one ruthless villain. Along the way, they will discover allies in odd places, courage they didn’t know they had, and a hidden destiny that changes everything. This is a warm, enchanting adventure about the true meaning of home.
INKHEART
One cruel night, Meggie’s father reads aloud from a novel called Inkheart, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is smack in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books. Meggie must learn to harness the magic that has conjured this nightmare. For only she can change the course of the story that has changed her life forever. Inkheart is a timeless tale about books, about imagination, about life. DARE TO READ IT ALOUD!
And here’s a special sneak preview of
INKSPELL
The Second Book in Cornelia Funke’s
INKHEART TRILOGY
1
Words Made to Measure
He has been trying to sing
Love into existence again
And he has failed.
MARGARET ATWOOD, ORPHEUS 2,
EATING FIRE*
Twilight was gathering, and Orpheus still wasn’t here. Farid’s heart beat faster, as it always did when day left him alone with the darkness. Curse that Cheeseface! Where could he be? The birds were falling silent in the trees, as if the approach of night had stifled their voices, and the nearby mountains were turning black. You might have thought the setting sun had singed them. Soon the whole world would be black as pitch, even the grass beneath Farid’s bare feet, and the spirits would begin to whisper. Farid knew only one place where he felt safe from them: here, right behind Dustfinger, so close that he could feel his warmth. Dustfinger wasn’t afraid of the night. He liked it.