The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
I’ve been looking forward to “The Swan Thieves” for months and months and months, ever since I heard that Elizabeth Kostova had a new book coming out. I adored “The Historian,” her earlier book. I’ve read it multiple times (ah, for the days when my TBR stack was manageable and I could reread books…) and listened to the audio with my husband on a car trip. It has been four and a half years since “The Historian” was released so when I heard rumors of a new book, I started counting down the days before I even knew what the book would be about.
In “The Historian,” everything revolves around scholars and scholarship, in “The Swan Thieves” the focus is art and everyone is an artist. When renowned artist Robert Oliver unexpectedly charges a painting in the National Gallery of Art with his knife drawn, attempting to slash the artwork, he is sent to psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe for treatment. Marlowe himself is a talented painter, one who could have made a living from his art – or so he tells us. The hope is that Marlowe’s understanding of art and artists will help him treat the obviously mentally ill Oliver. The only problem is that Oliver refuses to talk to him, although he does grant Marlowe permission to speak to anyone about him and his condition, and even allows Marlowe access to a stack of perplexing French letters from the late 19th century.
As Marlowe begins trying to understand Robert’s motivation for the attack on the painting, he becomes almost obsessed with Oliver’s life himself. His exploration of Robert’s life and actions is told in the ‘present’ (really the whole thing is taking place in the past, but I’m going to use ‘present’ here to mean the time in which Robert Oliver is institutionalized and Andrew Marlowe is searching for answers) by Marlowe and in Robert’s past by first his ex-wife, then his girlfriend. Also mixed into the narrative are the letters, which turn out to be from artists Beatrice de Clerval to her husband’s uncle, artist Olivier Vignot.
This is a much quieter book than “The Historian.” There is no race against time and Dracula to find a father, wife, or professor. In fact, I was never quite sure what Marlowe was really searching for, or exactly how Beatrice de Clerval’s story was going to factor in. And yet, I could completely tell that I was reading something by Elizabeth Kostova, regardless of how different the story was. Her style has remained remarkably consistent from “The Historian” to “The Swan Thieves.” I read “The Swan Thieves” slowly, absorbing Kostova’s writing and processing Marlowe’s obsession. This is a book I just wanted to wrap myself inside and revel in.
I think that Hachette is doing the right thing by releasing “The Swan Thieves” in the winter, it is a fantastic read for long, lazy winter nights curled up by a fire or under a blanket. It doesn’t have the spook-factor or the immediacy of “The Historian,” but it is an absolutely lovely read, one to take your time with and savor.
“The Swan Thieves” will be released January 12, 2010.
Buy/pre-order this book from:
Powells.
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.
Amazon.
Thank you to Miriam at Hachette for sending me this book to review!
Ack! I want to get my hands on this book in the worst way! I loves The Historian too, especially in the way we explore history through old letters. I love old letters! I chuckled when you said there were letters in this one as well. Well, come January 12, I will have my trigger finger perched above my Kindle waiting to purchase it!
This sounds so wonderful. I can’t wait to read it myself – and it comes out on my birthday, how lucky for me. =)
.-= Meghan´s last blog ..Review: Cranford, Elizabeth Gaskell =-.
I’m so glad to see this is good. I met Elizabeth Kostova last weekend and loved her!
I’ve got this ready for October. Can’t wait to read it. I so loved The Historian.
YAY! I’m so glad you treasured this book. I can’t wait to read it!
I’ve been meaning to read The Historian for awhile now, after seeing all the great reviews for it. Maybe I’ll get around to it before this one is released. Like you, I find that my TBR pile is overwhelming!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Library Loot: September 29, 2009 =-.
Now I’m really behind. Thank goodness I’m going to finally read The Historian next month. I can’t imagine what it is like to try to follow up on such a successful first novel. Hopefully this will be something I can read this winter myself (okay, more likely next winter, but you never know).
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#201 ~ Her Fearful Symmetry =-.
I am still reading The Historian but I will definitely pick this one up. Thanks for the review!
I’m so glad to hear it was good! Cannot wait to read it myself!
Great review!
Oh I love the cover. It took me a bit to get into The Historian but once in I was hooked. Can’t wait to read her newest.
I read The Historian years ago, but it is such a complex novel that I’d really like to read it again. Thanks for your review of The Swan Thieves – this one looks just as interesting and I’ll probably grab it in January.
.-= Heather @ Book Addiction´s last blog ..Blankets by Craig Thompson =-.
*This is a book I just wanted to wrap myself inside and revel in.*
Wow, I haven’t read her earlier work, but something about that line you wrote spoke to me… I love books that make you feel this way!
Excellent review. I wish I had received this one; I enjoyed The Historian a lot. Thanks so much for all the positive feedback.
Great review! I loved The Historian and I can’t wait for this one. Jan. 13 has been circled on the calendar.
Good to know it’s one you need to take your time with. Cannot WAIT to read this one! Thanks for the review.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Ice Land – Betsy Tobin =-.
The good news: another novel I’m sure to enjoy.
The bad news: January is way too far away.
The best news: I’m one of the few people who hasn’t read The Historian, so it can tide me over!
This book sounds sooooo up my alley. I haven’t read The Historian yet, but I’m reading it this month for a book club, so I hope I like it. That way I can get this book.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society =-.
I’ve been trying my best to wait to read this, but I think I’m going to cave. I just don’t think I can wait much longer!! It is sitting on my coffee table, luring me in with that gorgeous cover. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Wow! your review sounds great. I did like The Historian (not love), but I have a feeling that I will like this book much better
great review. I would love to read this book. Your review made it sound so fascinating
Great review. I’m really looking forward to reading this one — I’m about 3/4 through the audio of The Historian right now and love it.