The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti
Release date: 2008 / 327 pages
First line: “The man arrived after morning prayers.”
Synopsis (from back cover): Twelve-year-old Ren is missing his left hand. How it was lost is a mystery that Ren has been trying to solve for his entire life, as well as who his parents are, and why he was abandoned as an infant at Saint Anthony’s Orphanage for boys. He longs for a family to call his own and is terrified of the day he will be sent alone into the world.
Review: I tried… I really tried. I even made it through 124 pages, but eventually decided to put this novel aside.
I really liked Ren (the “good thief”), but so disliked every other character, that even Ren couldn’t keep me within the pages. As usual, I had no idea of the premise before I began, so when the novel opened in an orphanage, I was intrigued. Having just spent 6 days at an Ethiopian orphage, I was interested to read about another’s experience. And these early chapters kept my interest.
But once a “shyster” steals Ren away to help him and his partner in their scams, the novel just wasn’t nearly as interesting. Spooky, yes. Grotesque, yes. Somewhat suspenseful, I guess. But poor Ren just kept getting placed in one difficult scam after another, and I just gave up.
So, why even write a review? Mostly because I believe this novel has been getting a lot of positive press in the blogosphere, and I would love to hear why. Did I give up too soon? Inquiring minds would love to know! 
I loved the style of the book. It’s true that it may have dragged a little in the middle, I can’t really remember but there is a nice pay-off in the end. It was a really different sort of read for me and so I enjoyed it.
I’m with Amy! I loved the book. I couldn’t put it down. I was attracted to Ren’s survival instincts and his developing theology. He wants to be an ethical person but he keeps getting put in situations that aren’t. The later characters in the book are absolutely bizarre and unforgettable. It’s another one of those YA books that really isn’t just for kids. It’s worth another look sometime.
I agree with Amy and Heidi (sorry, Kristin!) I really enjoyed this one. I read it last summer while on vacation and just loved it. Here’s my review: http://tinyurl.com/cunr6x
I lean towards your take on this book. I found it to be well written and I liked Ren but it did not break new ground for me and I believe some the hoopla may be generated by the publishers. I have nothing against the author and wish her well but read Dickens, read Stevenson, read Washington Irving and you’ll see where this story is derived from.
I haven’t read this, but I had it on my wish list this past Christmas and my mother-in-law, who read the book, told me not to bother. She had much the same experience as you, although I’m not sure what her expectations were. This wasn’t a book she would usually read…I’m still going to give it a try, as it seems a few people likes it, too. Thanks for the honest review, though!
Thank you for providing a different perspective, Heidi, Amy, and Lisa! Glad to hear why it has received such positive press!
Whew… I’m not alone…
Let me know if you end up liking it, Priscilla!
I really didn’t like it that much, either. I think I did manage to finish, but, like you, didn’t like anyone. Also had a hard time with exactly how many bad situations Ren got thrown into. I remember once thinking, “Seriously??”
Good point!! I hadn’t thought that — but I also only read about half of this situations, too!
At first I felt the same way, but I was sucked into the story. Recently, I came across a televised book club interview, www.openbookclub.tv, with Hannah which explained much of her motivation for writing the book.
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