Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Thief Lord. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Scipio, the “Thief Lord” who leads a gang of runaway children in Venice, rides a magic merry-go-round and becomes an adult. The children's enemy, Ernesto Barbarossa, rides it the other way and becomes a child, while orphans Prosper and Bo are adopted by the kind Ida Spavento.
Quick facts
– Book: The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
– First published: 2000
– Type: A children's fantasy novel
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet and magical
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Brothers Prosper and Bo run away to Venice to avoid being separated by their aunt. They join a group of street children led by Scipio, who claims to be a master thief but is really the son of a rich man. The detective Victor Getz is hired to find the brothers.
What Happens at the End of The Thief Lord
The children steal a wooden wing for a mysterious client. The wing belongs to a magic merry-go-round. Scipio rides it and becomes an adult. Barbarossa rides it and becomes a child. Victor helps the children. Ida adopts Prosper, Bo and Hornet.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Scipio becomes an adult.
- Barbarossa becomes a child.
- The brothers find a home.
- Victor helps them.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Scipio | Becomes an adult |
| Prosper and Bo | Adopted by Ida |
| Barbarossa | Becomes a child |
| Victor Getz | Helps the children |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the bittersweet desire to grow up.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love the Venice setting, where canals, rooftops and an old cinema hideout feel like their own world. Some find Scipio's choice to grow up suddenly a little sad, since he gives up his childhood to escape his father.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Childhood. Scipio wants to grow up.
Family. The children find family.
Magic. The merry-go-round changes lives.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Thief Lord as bittersweet and magical. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Cornelia Funke to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet and magical will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Cornelia Funke closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2006 film follows the main ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Thief Lord with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about childhood, and do you agree with Cornelia Funke's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet and magical, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces childhood and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Cornelia Funke leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Thief Lord often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Thief Lord earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Thief Lord on Amazon
Books to Read After The Thief Lord
- Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Related: The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke: Summary and Key Takeaways · Inkheart by Cornelia Funke: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Thief Lord?
Scipio, the “Thief Lord” who leads a gang of runaway children in Venice, rides a magic merry-go-round and becomes an adult. The children's enemy, Ernesto Barbarossa, rides it the other way and becomes a child, while orphans Prosper and Bo are adopted by the kind Ida Spavento.
Is the ending of The Thief Lord happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet and magical.
What does the ending of The Thief Lord mean?
The ending shows the bittersweet desire to grow up.
Is the ending of The Thief Lord the same in the adaptation?
The 2006 film follows the main ending.
Who wrote The Thief Lord and when was it published?
The Thief Lord was written by Cornelia Funke and first published in 2000.
Is The Thief Lord worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's fantasy novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Cornelia Funke prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Thief Lord before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.