If you're into high-stakes art heists with a heart, diverse characters, and thoughtful dives into cultural identity, "Portrait of a Thief" feels tailor-made for you. This novel's got a crackling premise: five Chinese American college students, each with their own quirks and baggage, set out to right historical wrongs by reclaiming stolen art. It's fast-paced but also slams on the brakes to explore what it means to belong, the complexities of family expectations, and the nuances of living between worlds. Book clubs, fans of literary thrillers, and anyone interested in diaspora stories or the ethical debates about museum collections will find plenty to dig into here.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you're coming solely for a slick, twisty Oceans 11-style romp or ultra-realistic action, you might be disappointed. Some readers found the plot unrealistic, the prose repetitive, and the pacing uneven with too much introspective musing at the expense of exciting heist action. Dialogue can be sparse, inner monologues dominate, and the book leans heavier on art and identity than on thriller mechanics. If you like your heists non-stop and your characters less introspective, this might not be your jam.

A moody, beautifully-written art heist with big ideas about identity and belonging - great for fans of thoughtful thrillers, but may leave pure action lovers lukewarm.

About:

'Portrait of a Thief' by Grace D. Li is a novel that delves into the complexities of diaspora, family, and big dreams. The story follows a group of college students on a mission to reclaim stolen art and return it to its country of origin. The book explores themes of identity, struggles with familial expectations, and the impact of colonialism on Chinese Americans. Through a mix of suspenseful heists and introspective moments, the characters navigate friendship, ambition, and the pursuit of justice, all while grappling with their own imperfections and the weight of their heritage.

Characters:

The characters are a group of Chinese American students, each complex and distinct, navigating their identities and motivations while preparing for a heist.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style showcases beautiful prose with rich imagery, though it suffers from repetition that detracts from depth and engagement.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a heist where college students seek to recover stolen Chinese artifacts, reflecting deeper themes of identity and belonging.

Setting:

The setting spans contemporary America and China, with relevant references to cultural and social issues influencing the characters' experiences.

Pacing:

Pacing is uneven, often disrupted by repetitive elements and scenes that lack tension, impacting the overall flow of the story.

In Eliot House, with his window open to the warm evening air and the distant sound of chatter in the courtyard, Will took a single jade tiger out of his pocket. The stone was cool, almost cold against...

Notes:

The novel features a group of five Chinese American college students.

They team up to steal five stolen Chinese sculptures from various museums.

Each character has unique skills - a hacker, a con artist, a getaway driver, and others.

The story explores themes of diaspora, identity, and cultural connection.

The heist aims not only to reclaim stolen art but also to forge personal connections to their heritage.

The characters navigate their dual identities as both Chinese and American.

The book discusses the implications of art theft and repatriation in the context of colonialism.

The narrative reflects on contemporary issues, such as anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic.

Li’s writing is praised for its beautiful imagery and character depth, though some criticize it for repetitiveness.

The main character, Will, is motivated by familial expectations and a desire to connect with his roots.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include cultural appropriation, themes of theft, and references to identity struggles.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, particularly in the friendships and one-on-one connections among the characters, highlighting their complex lives.

April 2022

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379 pages

Ratings (6)

Loved It (4)
Liked It (2)

Reader Stats (33):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (22)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (3)

1 comment(s)

debane092

Loved It

5 months

Five students try to pull off five heists to get art back to China. Each one has a complicated relationship with their country and each other and yet this relationship's so beautiful and worth it.

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Portrait of a Thief

Grace D. Li

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