Markus Zusak, acclaimed and best-selling author most famously ofThe Book Thief, is getting back on the road.
And hes also answered a few of our burning questions about what we can expect from the book.
Bridge of Clayhas been in development for several years.
Credit: Elena Seibert
It follows Clay Dunbar, one of five brothers whose mother has died.
Clay is the only brother who decides to do it.
Read on below for that, as well as his full tour schedule, and make your pre-ordershere.
Random House
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Youd mentioned you were writing this book more than a decade ago.
That way youre always pushing yourself.
Youre only going to find out what youre capable of if youre willing to go into the dark.
What drew you to this particular idea, of a boy committed to building a bridge?
How did you conceive it?Its all so long ago now, but ideas are funny things.
Sometimes they come quite clearly, but usually theyre in disguise for me, at least.
I first have to unscramble it, to find out who it really is.
In this case, the first idea was all in the title.
A boy who carries his sins, aiming to cure himself in search of greatness.
I also interviewed people.
I talked to my parents-in-law, who made a similar journey.
In many ways, the experience of Clay building the bridge is my experience of writing the book.
Clay wants to achieve something great, but knows he is only human.
His only greatness is knowing he cant ever achieve it fully but trying to make it there anyway.
This is your first book in quite a while.
How have you evolved as a writer in the time since?Well, Im crankier, maybe!
No, actually, I think Ive learned to appreciate things more.
Ive become more ambitious with every book.
Personally, I just want them to feel like theyre a part of Clays world.
I want them to know the Dunbars.
I want them to feel like a Dunbar boy.
