The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
Publication Date: January 12, 2010
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Kostova’s masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. The Swan Thieves is a story of obsession, history’s losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.
Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe, devoted to his profession and the painting hobby he loves, has a solitary but ordered life. When renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient, Marlow finds that order destroyed. Desperate to understand the secret that torments the genius, he embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.
Kostova’s masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. The Swan Thieves is a story of obsession, history’s losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.
FYI – I have not been able to spend a lot of time blog hopping this week. I stare at a computer for 8 hours every day at work and I have had a lot of eye strain by the time I get home this week. I will try to get around to see everyone this weekend but right now my eyes just need a break from the screen.
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it to others?
The travel in the book appeals to me, but I understand being a little hesitant given mixed reviews.
Hm, I don't know what it is but this one just doesn't grab me. Maybe it's the art aspect? The mixed reviews would make me hesitant but the fact that you loved the author's first book so much is hopeful.
it sounds a little complicated for me
This doesn't sound like the book for me but does sound intriguing.
I loved The Historian and picked up this one, but didn't read it. My SIL read it and liked it, but didn't love it. I did love her The Shadow Land, but loved it differently.
You know I've been noticing more eye strain when I'm at my computer all day – nothing like getting old! I've always wanted to read The Historian. I'll admit this one doesn't thrill me but I do hope you love it if you decide to make time for me.
I hope your eye strain gets better.
sounds quite different than the norm. hope you enjoy it. i get the eye strain and have had the same issue before. rest is the answer. 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental
I think this would be good for a movie.
Oh it's a new one to me
I can't really remember if I liked or dnfed this one
Mixed reviews always make me a little nervous but this does sound good. Sorry about the eye strain. That is difficult to deal with!
I don't think I've ever seen this one but I think I have one of her books, Shadow Lands. Haven't had the chance to read it but a friend of mind like her book,The Historian.
Also, sorry about the eye strain. Definitely a good amount of rest would help. Hope you feel better soon, Carole!
Hmmm…I haven't heard of this book before, but it sounds interesting!
This is a new one to me and it sounds pretty good. I hope you eyes are feeling better.
I'm trying to target books that have mixed reviews at the moment as there is a higher chance of DNF and getting the numbers down on the TBR. If I happen to like it, that is a bonus!
I don't think this one would be a good fit for me, although I can relate to not knowing where or why I picked up a book, haha! I'm sorry your eyes aren't feeling great! My ears get that way when I try to listen to an audiobook (several hours worth) before it expires. It's usually a few weeks before I'll download another one. I don't stare at a computer often, which I'm thankful for, unless I'm doing something blog-related.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
I haven't read any of her books, but this one sounds good. I'll be watching out for your review. ?✨
No worries, rest your eyes and resume whenever you feel better!
I haven't heard of this book before, but I have heard of The Historian and that is one my TBR. If I like the Historian I will probably end up reading this one eventually too.