My latest read: The Swan Thieves

Elizabeth Kostova, second novel I thoroughly enjoyed her first, best seller The Historian. This Novel on a similar vein is a Literary Thriller. Combining the history of 19th century, impressionist Paris with the modern day east coast of America, the story follows many characters lives with common themes of Art and Obsession.


 The main protagonist, is Dr Andrew Marlow a Psychiatrist and amateur painter the story starts when he gets a new patient Robert Oliver a renowned artist who is committed when he tries to attack a painting in the National Gallery. Robert refuses to speak and as such Dr Marlow embarks on a detective mission to find out why his patient tried to attack a painting. Along the way Dr Marlow meets the women in Roberts life. I found myself disliking Robert more and more as you see him through the eyes of his wife and ex-lover. You realise that a key to Roberts illness is his obsession with  beautiful 19th century French artist, Beatrice de Clerval Vignot. The story revolves around Dr Marlow uncovering the link between this beautiful women who Robert continually paints and the painting which he tried to destroy.

 I found little to like in the characters in this novel, I found Roberts silence a huge barrier to the reader knowing and understanding his obsession even though this is theme of the book. Dr Marlow's obsession with his patient is portrayed better but the romance between himself and Roberts ex girlfriend draws away from the main plot and becomes annoying. I did relate to Beatrice however a aspect of the novel which I found reaccuringly creepy was young women falling in love with old men.


I did enjoy the nod to the Victorian era and the way in which Elizabeth Kostov brings to life paintings with her words. But for a thriller there is not enough jeopardy - it doesn't really matter if Dr Marlow solves the mystery  or not. I felt little connection with the characters and found the end left me dissatisfied as you never really understand Roberts illness and Dr Marlows life falls to perfectly into place. 

The Beginning

 As we approach the start of a New Year I plan to start a new diary, not of my own life but of the lives of others which I have the pleasure to enjoy through the whispering pages of books. It is my intention to keep this record mostly for myself so that I may recount what I have loved and hated, but also so that others may share with me in the wonderful gift that a good book can bring.