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livmm 's review for:
The Good Thieves
by Katherine Rundell
Nowadays, I don't say things like "it pulled me in," "I got lost in the writing," etc. I think that's because after seven years getting several degrees in literature, I've been taught to avoid vague statements like that and trained to analyze instead. In other words, academia has turned me into an enormous asshole. But when I started reading The Good Thieves - not sure if I'd end up finishing it, as I didn't consider it a priority - I really did get lost in the writing. This book made me feel like I was eleven again, because I would've absolutely adored it at that age. A spunky, resourceful heroine, a daring heist, humor, engrossing prose... I was never bored while I was reading this book. So many little elements made it a delight, from the tortoises with precious gems engraved in their shells to the circus in Carnegie Hall.
I loved how much Vita loved her grandfather. I loved the diversity, and I was pleasantly surprised by the social commentary. This book was constantly attacking classism, often humorously - there's just something so satisfying about a horrible rich man's oily hair catching fire. I give Rundell credit, too, for addressing racism in early 1900's New York. There are multiple times when Samuel, who is black, notes that he is treated differently than his white companions. Still, I think the book doesn't go quite far enough here, as it never acknowledges that the stakes of the heist are much higher for Samuel. The consequences of being caught are worse, even life-threatening, for him.
All in all, though, this was a very good book. It's always fun to read a children's book written by someone who clearly thinks that children are incredibly cool. Each one of these characters has a passion, and that passion is never diminished. Neither is their bravery or their resourcefulness. There's a sort of glee lying beneath Rundell's prose; you can tell that she really enjoyed writing these scrappy kids making an evil rich guy miserable. And you know what? I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy.
I loved how much Vita loved her grandfather. I loved the diversity, and I was pleasantly surprised by the social commentary. This book was constantly attacking classism, often humorously - there's just something so satisfying about a horrible rich man's oily hair catching fire. I give Rundell credit, too, for addressing racism in early 1900's New York. There are multiple times when Samuel, who is black, notes that he is treated differently than his white companions. Still, I think the book doesn't go quite far enough here, as it never acknowledges that the stakes of the heist are much higher for Samuel. The consequences of being caught are worse, even life-threatening, for him.
All in all, though, this was a very good book. It's always fun to read a children's book written by someone who clearly thinks that children are incredibly cool. Each one of these characters has a passion, and that passion is never diminished. Neither is their bravery or their resourcefulness. There's a sort of glee lying beneath Rundell's prose; you can tell that she really enjoyed writing these scrappy kids making an evil rich guy miserable. And you know what? I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy.