--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As it turned out, Ilsa Hermann not only…" description: "\"“As it turned out, Ilsa Hermann not only gave Liesel Meminger a book that day. She also gave her a reason to spend time in the basement, her favorite p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/markus-zusak-165_books_as-it-turned-out-ilsa-hermann-not-only-g_812518.png" --- # As it turned out, Ilsa Hermann not only gave Liesel… ![“As it turned out, Ilsa Hermann not only gave Liesel Meminger a book that day. She also gave her a reason to spend time in the basement, her favorite place, first with Papa, then Max. She gave her a reason to write her own words, to see that words had also brought her to life. "Don't punish…” quote by Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/markus-zusak-165_books_as-it-turned-out-ilsa-hermann-not-only-g_812518.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/markus-zusak-165_books_as-it-turned-out-ilsa-hermann-not-only-g_812518.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/markus-zusak-165_books_as-it-turned-out-ilsa-hermann-not-only-g_812518.png) > ““As it turned out, Ilsa Hermann not only gave Liesel Meminger a book that day. She also gave her a reason to spend time in the basement, her favorite place, first with Papa, then Max. She gave her a reason to write her own words, to see that words had also brought her to life. "Don't punish yourself", she heard her say again, but there would be punishment and pain, and there would be happiness, too. That was writing.”” [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A mentor provides a child with books, a sanctuary, and the courage to write, showing that words can both heal and hurt. **In simple terms:** A mentor gives books, a safe place, and inspires writing, showing words' power. Key Takeaway Seek safe spaces and write to process pain. Themes mentorship healing writing memory resilience Mood reflective hopeful somber Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - Reading with - journaling - creative writing - support groups - therapy Key Concepts Literature psychology trauma expression Questions to Reflect On - How can shared reading transform solitary grief? - What role does writing play in healing? A Different Perspective Writing alone cannot replace shared experience; it may intensify isolation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [End time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-time/) [Gave Liesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave-liesel-275520/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Hermann Gave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hermann-gave-275523/) [Ilsa Hermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ilsa-hermann-275519/) [Liesel meminger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liesel-meminger/) [Meminger Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meminger-book-275521/) [Spend time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spend-time/) [Turned Ilsa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turned-ilsa-275522/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [The point is, Ilsa Hermann had decided to make suffering her triumph. When it refused to let go of her, she succumbed to it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/the-point-is-ilsa-hermann-had-decided-to-make-suffering-her-triumph/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“And please," Ilsa Hermann advised her, "don't punish yourself, like you said you would. Don't be like me, Liesel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/and-please-ilsa-hermann-advised-her-don-t-punish-yourself-like-you/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“He didn't deserve to die the way he did.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/he-didn-t-deserve-to-die-the-way-he-did/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [After another ten minutes, the gates of thievery would open just a crack, and Liesel Meminger would widen them a little further and squeeze…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/after-another-ten-minutes-the-gates-of-thievery-would-open-just-a/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-wanted-to-ask-her-how-the-same-thing-could-be-so-ugly-and-so-2/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-wanted-to-tell-the-book-thief-many-things-about-beauty-and/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“At this point, I couldn't help it. I walked around to see her better, and from the moment I witnessed her face again, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/at-this-point-i-couldn-t-help-it-i-walked-around-to-see-her-better/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right. - Liesel Meminger”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-have-hated-the-words-and-i-have-loved-them-and-i-hope-i-have-made/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“He odiado las palabras y las he amado, y espero haber estado a su altura.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/he-odiado-las-palabras-y-las-he-amado-y-espero-haber-estado-a-su/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“Quise decirle muchas cosas a la ladrona de libros, sobre la belleza y la crueldad, pero ¿qué podía contarle sobre todo eso que ella…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/quise-decirle-muchas-cosas-a-la-ladrona-de-libros-sobre-la-belleza-y/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“Yes, I have seen a great many things in this world. I attend the greatest disasters and work for the greatest villains. But then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/yes-i-have-seen-a-great-many-things-in-this-world-i-attend-the/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“How many times did she have to say goodbye?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/how-many-times-did-she-have-to-say-goodbye/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [And I can promise you something, because it was a thing I saw many years later - a vision in the book thief herself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/and-i-can-promise-you-something-because-it-was-a-thing-i-saw-many/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“The juggling comes to an end now, but the struggling does not. I have Liesel Meminger in one hand, Max Vandenburg in the other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/the-juggling-comes-to-an-end-now-but-the-struggling-does-not-i-have/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“You could argue that Liesel Meminger has it easy. She did have it easy compared to Max Vandenburg. Certainly, her brother practically died in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/you-could-argue-that-liesel-meminger-has-it-easy-she-did-have-it-easy/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) ## More by Markus Zusak > [Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/liesel-observed-the-strangeness-of-her-foster-father-s-eyes-they-were/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [I think that as a writer your responsibility is to search for and stir up the things that are in this world. 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Blue is bleeding through black.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/it-is-early-early-morning-it-s-that-time-when-it-s-still-dark-but-you/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“I'm twenty years old and look at me-- there isn't a thing I want to do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-m-twenty-years-old-and-look-at-me-there-isn-t-a-thing-i-want-to-do/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [You should give it to Max, Liesel. See if you can leave it on the bedside table, like all the other things." Liesel watched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/you-should-give-it-to-max-liesel-see-if-you-can-leave-it-on-the/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“When a woman with an iron fist tells you to get out there and clean spit off the door, you do it. Especially when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/when-a-woman-with-an-iron-fist-tells-you-to-get-out-there-and-clean/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [Is there cowardice with the acknowledgement of fear?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/is-there-cowardice-with-the-acknowledgement-of-fear/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [In years to come, he would be a giver of bread, not a stealer - proof again of the contradictory human being. So much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/in-years-to-come-he-would-be-a-giver-of-bread-not-a-stealer-proof/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“«¿Por qué no puede oírlo el resto del mundo? —me pregunto. En pocos segundos me lo pregunto muchas veces—. Porque no le importa —me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/por-qu-no-puede-o-rlo-el-resto-del-mundo-me-pregunto-en-pocos/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [Could she smell my breath? Could she hear my cursed circular heart beat revolving like the crime it is in my deathly chest?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/could-she-smell-my-breath-could-she-hear-my-cursed-circular-heart/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [I see how complicated it is to make a film and how many people are involved and I love the fact that I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-see-how-complicated-it-is-to-make-a-film-and-how-many-people-are/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [One wild card was yet to be played.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/one-wild-card-was-yet-to-be-played/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“Može li netko ukrasti sreću? Ili je i to još jedan unutarnji, paklenski ljudski trik?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/mo-e-li-netko-ukrasti-sre-u-ili-je-i-to-jo-jedan-unutarnji-paklenski/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [I look at my first books and am glad they weren't published… You start writing by imitating your heroes, then you keep the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-look-at-my-first-books-and-am-glad-they-weren-t-published-you-start/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) [Explore all 953 Markus Zusak quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. 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There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“As it turned out, Ilsa Hermann not only gave Liesel Meminger a book that day. She also gave her a reason to spend time in the basement, her favorite place, first with Papa, then Max. 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