underdogs; markus zusak

Markus Zusak. The name goes so perfectly with The Book Thief: 2005 historical fiction war classic with a 2013 movie adaptation, many literary prizes, and esteemed recognitions. However, via my unpopular opinion, I believe The Book Thief to be overrated and overshadow his other incredible works. The Book Thief still proves to be an incredible work of literature, however, one of the best books I have ever read is Zusak’s Bridge of Clay. Underdogs is a close second. As an author, I feel he does not get nearly enough credit. What one person would attempt to write in his style would end up being cringey and insufferable to read; his literary style is entirely his own. Zusak is eloquent, relatable to the reader, blunt yet poetic, and provokes thoughtfulness. He can turn insignificant mundane events into illustrations full of life. I like to think of Markus Zusak as an Australian metaphorical reimagining of Hemingway with Steinbeck’s storyboard. Underdogs is truly unlike anything I’ve read before.

Underdogs is not a trilogy; nor is it a series; nor can it be a complete book. Underdogs is an anthology, otherwise known as a published collection of poems or other pieces of writing. This definition comes directly from the Oxford dictionary. Underdogs contains three individualistic stories that fluidly mesh together while maintaining their desired separation. After reflecting post-read, I found I grew alongside the characters, experienced their ups and downs, and was ultimately proud of where they all ended. This is how influential Zusak's writing is; I immediately felt a deep connection to the characters and followed their every move. By the third and final section of Underdogs I was crying, laughing, and entirely satisfied. As someone who rarely experiences visceral reactions from literature, I’ll accept this as a positive sign. 

This book creates a subtle layered effect within itself or develops an onion shape. The central figure, Cameron Wolfe, occupies the first person narrative in this novel. The next layer of relationships includes Cameron and his brother Rube. Outside that includes the rest of the family. Then Cameron’s family and his neighbors. Next: his friends and acquaintances. Then their town. This pattern grows bigger and bigger until the interconnected character relationships zoom out to recognize the whole of society. If this notion makes any sense at all, I found Underdogs to subtly critique the faults of society and follow Cameron as he deals with these flaws as a young individual. This not only erects the meaningful themes of the work, but also highlights Cameron’s ultimate position as the underdog.

Cameron experiences his somewhat poor and rugged life as a shadow to his older, much more handsome, much stronger, and equally as poor older brother, Rube. One could describe them as downright hooligans. Through girls, underground boxing rings, Miffy the pomeranian, and a shattered family, both boys fight their way through the dredges of society in a broken world and discover what it truly means to be brothers. Zusak takes readers through the good, the bad, and the ugly of two brothers, revealing that sometimes being the underdog is okay.

To preface readers interested in this book, Zusak includes selective language and crude themes. This being said, while Zusak’s writing is not immediately graphic or inappropriate, he composes realistically mature themes that individuals over the age of fourteen can fully comprehend and understand how deep his messages truly go. However, I find it hard to view these blunt attributes as anything overtly negative. Zusak discusses themes such as sex, unemployment, family hardships, ‘wankers’, and physical fighting in a truthful, straight-to-the-point manner that allows only for respect from the reader. These topics that would be interpreted as disgusting or sensitive are raw and human. I found these themes to fit perfectly within the narrative and elevate the plot into an exquisite piece of prose.

This collection of stories I recommended not only for literary entertainment, but also for emotional enlightenment. Zusak’s coming-of-age plots are altogether unique and wholly relatable to his audience. Even though Underdogs is narrated from the chaotic and somewhat hormonal perspective of a teenage boy, I feel it is of utmost importance for young girls to read this work. Not only does it give insight to the complexities of the male persona, but it provides a foundation for negative male stereotypes to be broken. Through Cameron’s narration, readers witness the beautiful, disturbing, and intellectual journey of a child growing into adulthood. To add another layer of intricacy: Underdogs is “not just for kids” (Los Angeles Times). Hardly will I ever reach outside of my own thoughts for input on a finished novel. However, Underdogs proved to be such an influential piece of literature, I couldn’t resist exploring others’ thoughts of the story. The Los Angeles Times worded the previous statement perfectly; Underdogs is also necessary literature for adults as it is for juveniles. Readers from any walk of life can carry away more than one lesson from this tastefully written anthology.

Best wishes, 

Evelyn Harrier