Elizabeth Kostova
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| Front cover |
Date read: 28 November - 12 December 2016
Length: 607 pages
Dr. Marlow is a psychiatrist assigned the case of Robert Oliver, an artist who got arrested for destroying a painting. Apart from their first encounter, Robert won't speak. This forces Dr. Marlow to try to get inside his head by speaking to his ex-wife and lover. Robert does nothing but paint. Who is this mysterious woman he paints over and over?
The Swan Thieves is quite a captivating story, although it can drag a little in parts. I don't think the book had to be as long as it was, and some bits felt a little stretched out. But overall I enjoyed the story.
I thought the flashes to the past were interesting, and the unravelling of the mystery of the woman in the painting too. You spend so much of the book wondering if she's real or not, and if Robert actually knew her.
You also spend a lot of the book wondering if Robert will ever speak again! I won't reveal for the sake of spoilers, but it was actually beginning to irritate me. Although sometimes I wish I could just not speak to anyone!
After reading The Historian I have to say this just doesn't compare. I read The Historian a good many years ago now, but I loved it. I couldn't get enough of it! So if you're looking for something in the same ilk as Kostova's previous work, you will be a little disappointed.
That's not to say you can't read this one as well though!
Overall rating
Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist
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