Helpful Score: 6
I raced through this first novel by Hannah Tinti. We meet young Ren, a boy without a left hand, living in the orphanage run by the monks of St. Anthony's. It's bleak, cold, comfortless. Ren is always passed over for adoption due to his handicap; his future looks frightening, as the army will be his only option when he comes of age.
But miracle of miracles, a stranger arrives one day, and chooses Ren. In fact, he claims to be Ren's brother. And so begins Ren's new life, with a family of sorts; Benjamin Nab, the alleged older brother, and his friend Tom, a former schoolteacher. The three are bound together by a strange combination of con artistry and companionship.
The narrative flows as we follow Ren on his journeys. The characters are finely drawn, and while not always likable, they are always fascinating. A modern Dickens tale with a feeling that a sequel might be in the works. I certainly hope so!
But miracle of miracles, a stranger arrives one day, and chooses Ren. In fact, he claims to be Ren's brother. And so begins Ren's new life, with a family of sorts; Benjamin Nab, the alleged older brother, and his friend Tom, a former schoolteacher. The three are bound together by a strange combination of con artistry and companionship.
The narrative flows as we follow Ren on his journeys. The characters are finely drawn, and while not always likable, they are always fascinating. A modern Dickens tale with a feeling that a sequel might be in the works. I certainly hope so!
Helpful Score: 5
I really enjoyed this book. The Good Thief tells the story of Ren, who abandoned as an infant, is raised in an orphanage and later "adopted" by a traveling grave robber/ne'er do well. Set in New England when child labor was legal and anesthesia was unheard of, Ren's story unfolds as he tries to sort out the mystery of his birth and make his way in the world. Peopled by an interesting cast of characters, The Good Thief is a good read.
Helpful Score: 5
It seems that you either love or hate this book.
Personally, I enjoyed it.
The story was pretty well paced not perfect but good.
The minor characters are outstanding.
The protagonist Ren is young orphan who has a fierce loyalty that is admirable.
At one point I was wondering where the Author was taking us.
However, I was not disappointed in the end.
Personally, I enjoyed it.
The story was pretty well paced not perfect but good.
The minor characters are outstanding.
The protagonist Ren is young orphan who has a fierce loyalty that is admirable.
At one point I was wondering where the Author was taking us.
However, I was not disappointed in the end.
Helpful Score: 4
The story is about a boy from an orphanage who is adopted by a man who claims to be his brother. The man is anything but who he says he is. Before the boy knows it, he finds himself surrounding by thieves, con-artists, and grave robbers. It was hard for me to get into this one and I don't understand the hype surrounding this one. It was a decent story but it never jumped from the pages for me like some reviewers have claimed.
Helpful Score: 3
A story like no other; strange and beautifully wrought with heart-wrenching twists and innocence. A orphanage filled with boys and religion, until a con man comes for the one-handed boy and weaves a story of their family that
slowly unravels almost all the way. The boy's true identity is more and more elusive and obscured until the surprising ending. The journey there is filled with the most amazing characters from the dwarf in the chimney to the extremely loud, large and loving inn-keeper, the doctor undertaker and the giant - all experienced through the eyes and heart of a thoroughly naive good thief. Laura
slowly unravels almost all the way. The boy's true identity is more and more elusive and obscured until the surprising ending. The journey there is filled with the most amazing characters from the dwarf in the chimney to the extremely loud, large and loving inn-keeper, the doctor undertaker and the giant - all experienced through the eyes and heart of a thoroughly naive good thief. Laura
The book wasn't at all what I expected. The events were a lot more brutal than I would've expected from a YA novel. There were also places where I had no idea what was happening, or why, as if the actions were random. However, the ending redeemed the book somewhat, and I kept reading so that I could find out Ren's history.
Helpful Score: 3
I was surprised how much I liked this book. It kept me on edge and I couldn't quit reading it because I had to find out what was going to happen to the the one armed orphan. Its a cross between Dicken's "Oliver Twist" and John Steinbecks "Mice of Men". I have a feeling those are the authors two favorite authors.
Helpful Score: 2
From the description I thought this book would be something I really enjoyed and I couldn't wait to read it. I have been disappointed though. I thought it would have some mystery with Ren looking for clues to his parents, and some adventure along the way. What it turned out to be was the story of some petty thieves that really weren't all that interesting to me. The storyline of Ren's parents doesn't even really get brought up until the last hundred pages.
There were some mildly interesting minor characters, but those couldn't keep me reading. As a disclaimer, I haven't currently finished this book. Maybe it all comes together beautifully in the end. But, even though I don't know who Ren's parent's are, I don't really want to spend the time reading the last hundred pages to find out.
There were some mildly interesting minor characters, but those couldn't keep me reading. As a disclaimer, I haven't currently finished this book. Maybe it all comes together beautifully in the end. But, even though I don't know who Ren's parent's are, I don't really want to spend the time reading the last hundred pages to find out.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a gem of a book...with an unusual cast of characters, an underlying spirituality, and a heart-warming tale of family. Other reviewers call the book Dickensian. The cast of characters, including a one-handed orphan, grave robbers, nuns, a giant, a dwarf..is wonderful. Try this if you are in the mood for a dark yet uplifting tale.
Helpful Score: 2
First of all i'd love, for just half an hour to sit across from Ms. Tinti and have a face to face conversation with her....she just has a wonderful mind. Her thoughts must just run rampant with beautiful stories. I found each character so entrancing. I just could not read this fast enough. I found the smooth lies that flowed off Bejamins tounge beautiful, the drunkard Tom loveable and Ren such a beautiful boy in mind and person. The hard Mrs. Sands, the people that i thought were not attractive in the beginning, were the one i saw heart in and fell in love with in the end, I can't say which one I love the most. I hope there will be more to come from this author about this mottly crew, as i still have not had enough. I absolutely loved this gothic fairy tale.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the book very much. It was a quick read that grabbed you from the beginning and kept the pace up throughout. With a cast of colorful characters and a decidedly Dickensesque style, I would highly recommend it.
A fun light story with nice twists. Take this one camping.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit! The setting (19th century New England) made for a fascinating backdrop and the characters were both likable and dynamic. And I especially liked Ren's character and the mystery of his missing hand! There was some rather shocking violence, but none of it seemed gratuitous. It was a fast, fun, and entertaining read. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this author's other books! This is a very strong debut novel, and it will be interesting to see if her second novel will be even stronger.
This book won awards, and for good reason. The story is set in the 1800's-young orphan boy with one hand is adopted out of a poor orphanage by a man of who says he's his brother; from then on a string of events occurs that makes the boy question his past, worry about his future, and finds his strengths and weaknesses in the process. I'm quite picky about my books, and it takes a good writer to keep my interest..this kept me awake wondering happens next. The story is written in a straight-forward, fast paced style that is highly enjoyable.
I really hope the author comes out with more books!
I really hope the author comes out with more books!
A little bit gory at times, but a wonderful adventure tale beautifully written. Takes place in New England in the mid 1800's.
When the one-handed boy known only as Ren is "adopted" from the St. Anthony's Orphanage by a man claiming to be his brother, the pair embark on a Dickensian journey through the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. in the mid-1800s, perpetrating larcenies both petty and grand.
Tinti is less wordy than Dickens (fortunately), but does rely on colorful characters to populate her story and coincidence to resolve the plot and tuck in all the details.
It's a satisfying read for all of that. Suitable for the older YA audience (there is considerable blood-letting and a murder or two along the way), but complex enough to satisfy the adult reader as well.
Tinti is less wordy than Dickens (fortunately), but does rely on colorful characters to populate her story and coincidence to resolve the plot and tuck in all the details.
It's a satisfying read for all of that. Suitable for the older YA audience (there is considerable blood-letting and a murder or two along the way), but complex enough to satisfy the adult reader as well.
Good book; I couldn't put it down!
