Herr der Diebe
Preisgekrönter fantastischer Abenteuer-Klassiker für Kinder ab 10 Jahren
📘 About This Book
"Du bist also wirklich der Herr der Diebe", sagte der Fremde leise. "Nun gut, behalte deine Maske auf, wenn du dein Gesicht nicht zeigen möchtest. Ich sehe auch so, dass du sehr jung bist." Der Herr der Diebe - das ist der geheimnisvolle Anführer einer Kinderbande in Venedig, die er mit dem Verkauf der Beute aus seinen Raubzügen über Wasser hält. Keiner kennt seinen Namen, seine Herkunft. Auch nicht Prosper und Bo - zwei Ausreißer, die auf der Flucht vor ihrer Tante und dem Detektiv Victor Unterschlupf bei der Bande gefunden haben. Als Victor den Kindern tatsächlich auf die Spur kommt, bringt er dadurch alle in Gefahr. Aber endgültig scheint die Gemeinschaft der Bande aufzubrechen, als ein rätselhafter Auftrag, erteilt von dem mysteriösen "Conte", die Kinder auf eine Laguneninsel führt. Diese Insel, von außen unbewohnt und einsam scheinend, birgt ein Geheimnis, das alles verändert. Cornelia Funke, die schon mit ihrem zum Bestseller gewordenen Titel DRACHENREITER zeigte, welch weiten Atem ihr Erzähltalent hat, hält ihre Leser - gleich welchen Alters - auch mit diesem Buch von der ersten Zeile an gefangen. Sie führt uns durch ein winterliches Venedig, verstrickt uns in verwirrende Rätsel und erfüllt ihren Helden am Schluss einen alten Menschheitstraum.
📖 Summary
Cornelia Funke's novel Herr der Diebe transports readers into the enchanting, labyrinthine canals and shadows of Venice, where a unique community of runaway children has found a sanctuary of survival and belonging. At the heart of this juvenile fiction story are two brothers, Prosper and Bo, who have fled from their well-meaning yet oppressive aunt after the tragic loss of their mother. Desperate to stay together and avoid being separated by the adult world, the young brothers seek refuge within a mysterious gang of juvenile pickpockets and thieves. The band is led by a charismatic, masked figure known only as the Thief Lord, a boy who cultivates an aura of legendary maturity while orchestrating heists and selling stolen goods to keep his makeshift family afloat. The atmospheric canals of Venice serve as both a breathtaking backdrop and a protective maze for the children, who live inside an abandoned, echoing movie theater, far away from the rigid expectations and rules of society. However, the delicate equilibrium of their hidden existence begins to fracture when a private detective named Victor is hired by the boys' aunt to track them down. As Victor edges closer to uncovering their secret headquarters, the children must navigate the immediate danger of being caught and returned to a life they desperately wished to escape. The tension escalates further when a wealthy and enigmatic patron known simply as the Conte approaches the Thief Lord with a strangely specific and highly lucrative commission. This mysterious job requires the children to venture out onto the haunting, fog-drenched lagoon surrounding Venice to steal a unique wooden object from an isolated island. As the characters embark on this perilous quest, the allure of the unknown and the secrets hidden within the artifacts of the lagoon threaten to tear the tight-knit band of runaways apart from the inside. The narrative weaves themes of trust, identity, and the deep-seated human desire for a place to call home, all while exploring the complex boundaries between childhood innocence and adult responsibility. Funke crafts a rich, immersive world where the magic of Venice breathes life into the adventures of those who feel lost and misunderstood. The unfolding events test the loyalty of Prosper, Bo, and the Thief Lord, forcing them to confront harsh truths about who they are and what they are willing to sacrifice for one another. Ultimately, the journey challenges the children to look beyond masks and facades, discovering that true family is forged not by blood or obligation, but by choice, shared struggles, and unconditional care in the face of uncertainty.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Immersive and vivid description of Venetian settings
Engaging and relatable characters within a unique band of runaways
Suspenseful plot involving secrets and mysterious quests
Explores meaningful themes of belonging and loyalty
⚠️ Cons
Plowing through the slower exposition can test impatient readers
Some plot elements rely heavily on the mysterious actions of adult figures
✍️ About the Author
Cornelia Funke (b. 1958) is a German author known for imaginative children's fantasy, including the 'Inkheart' trilogy.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the main character of the book? +
The story centers around a group of runaway children in Venice, including the brothers Prosper and Bo, and their charismatic leader, the Thief Lord.
What is the primary setting of the novel? +
The novel is set primarily in the atmospheric, canal-filled city of Venice and its surrounding lagoon islands.
Why are Prosper and Bo running away? +
They are fleeing from their aunt, who wants to separate them after the death of their mother.
Who is Victor in the story? +
Victor is a private detective hired by the boys' aunt to track them down and bring them back.
What causes tension within the band of children? +
A mysterious commission from a character known as the Conte leads the children to a lagoon island and threatens to break apart their community.
