Troubled artist Robert Oliver first comes to psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe’s attention as the difficult referral of a colleague after he tries to slash a painting at the National Gallery of Art with a butter knife. Marlowe is prideful of his reputation for getting patients to open up and speak with him, but before his first meeting with Oliver is over, he has already fallen under the spell of the talented painter.
After months of in-patient treatment, Marlowe still can’t get Oliver to utter a word. Oliver displays an obstinate obsession with a mysterious woman whom he paints again and again, and Marlowe becomes increasingly determined to find out everything that he can about Oliver from his ex-wife and former girlfriend, ostensibly in hopes of treating his patient- but is it at too high a price when Marlowe’s deeply ordered life begins to fall apart under the weight of his investigation?
Despite having had The Historian on my shelves for years, I still have yet to read it- but have heard enough about it that I was immediately excited to hear that Elizabeth Kostova had a new book coming out. When authors have hugely popular debut novels the expectations and the scrutiny concerning the sophomore offering can be quite intense. I’m actually glad that I was able to read The Swan Thieves first since that means I have nothing with which to compare it. I really enjoyed this novel, so now if The Historian is even better, then it’s a win for me. Bring it on!
Kostova’s writing is a reader’s dream. The rich language is descriptive of characters and setting, and I was seamlessly folded into Andrew Marlowe’s quiet life as a psychiatrist and dilettante artist, which is suddenly disturbed by the curiously urgent need to delve so deeply into treating this particular patient. Interspersed with curious love letters from Impression Era France, I was on the edge of my seat to try and figure out how the people of the past influenced and intersected with the characters I had come to know in present day Washington, DC.
As Marlowe speaks with the main women in Oliver’s life I was completely wrapped up with these women and how they balanced life with such a complex and frustrating man. While I could see the initial appeal, I was focused on how each of them changed to accommodate Oliver’s larger than life persona and talent, and the peculiar way in which Marlowe, in a sense, mimicked their responses in his search for information.
Art is always at the forefront, and in the background of The Swan Thieves. Thankfully my skill with a brush has nothing to do with my ability to enjoy a psychologically suspenseful novel immersed in the details of art and the artistic life. I definitely had some impatient moments with this book because I ached to know what was going next, even as I was absorbed in Kostova’s lush writing.
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I’m about halfway through this book right now and I am loving it! You are so right about the language – it is fabulous. Now I know why it took her five years to write the book.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Our Life in France – the train =-.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this book. I’ve read so many good things about it from bloggers, but then EW didn’t love it so I was a little worried.
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Review: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo =-.
I am one that thoroughly loved The Historian…mystery, a bit of spooky, with her beautiful prose, all told through letters. I just wanted to roll around in it, and never wanted it to end! So when you describe this book (which I’ve been SO excited about) it brings it all back. I MUST read this! Beautiful review!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: Food and Water =-.
YAY…so happy to read your excellent review. It makes me want to get started on this book even more than before. Thanks Nicole and have a great week.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – January 10, 2010 =-.
I love THE HISTORIAN and I really, really need to read this. It was on my list to read in Dec. Oh well.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Bloggiesta: Wrap-Up =-.
I just finished the historian a couple of weeks ago — it took me over a month to get through (mainly due to reading it in fits and spurts on planes, etc). This books sounds even more interesting, but I’m not sure if I want to commit to another large book right now. It’s definitely going on my TBR list though, hopefully I’ll get around to it at some point!
I loved The Historian and can’t wait to read this one!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon =-.
I definitely want to read this one and The Historian, they both sound so good. I love the cover too.
.-= vivienne´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – From the Influence of Others. =-.
I’m glad to know this one is so good! I am one of those few who really didn’t like The Historian all that much, so I didn’t really have much interest in this book until reading this positive review.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Wrap-Up [TSS] =-.
I haven’t read The Historian either (and I have it too), but I’m really looking forward to this one. I can’t wait to read it!
.-= nomadreader´s last blog ..sunday salon: Deliberate television watching =-.
Woohoo! I loved the Historian and was so excited that she wrote a totally different book and am so happy to hear it’s still really good!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..Bloggiesta – Day 2 =-.
I’m so looking forward to reading this. It sounds like a book that grabs you and doesn’t let go until the end.
.-= Katy (A Few More Pages)´s last blog ..Review – You Did It For Me by Robert Hug =-.
I have never heard of The Historian, But I have had this book in my sites for quite a while. I was first drawn to it by the cover art. And your review joins many others that have been great. I have had this on my wish list for many months now. Are you planning a giveaway soon? I would love to enter if you are. I would love to read this one. The cover is just drawing me in to this one for some reason. And I don’t usually pay a lot of attention to the cover art. Go figure.
I have yet to read The Historian by this author but I’m still adding this one to the TBR list as it sounds really good! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it…I’ll be picking it up as soon as possible
.-= Samantha´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon- Brrrr…. =-.
I’ve been counting the days until this one is released, so I’m glad to hear you liked it!
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..TSS: Excuse me while I get organized =-.
I have this review to write tonight. You are absolutely correct that Kostova’s writing is what makes the book. It is just so compelling and just enfolds you into the story like a warm blanket. I’m glad to see you liked it too!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – January 10, 2010 =-.
You’re killing me here….I want to read this one so bad I can taste it! But I’m glad you loved it….her writing is simply addicting.
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Diversifying My Bookshelves =-.
I’ve had The Historian on my shelves for a long time now. I won it in Devourer of Book’s first giveaway. I’ve been wanting to read it for so long now. This one I also want to read. Your last paragraph sealed the deal for me. I need to get a move on.
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#226 ~ The Glass Room =-.
I enjoyed The Historian so I will have to add this to my list of books to read!! Great review!
.-= Staci´s last blog ..Six Sentence Saturday- Last of 2009 Books Part 2 =-.
I keep passing this one over but somehow it still seems to call to me. Your review has added to the noise of the calling.
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Comment Challenge 2010 =-.
I absolutely loved The Historian and have been waiting for this book since it was announced. The way Kostova plays with words is a joy to read. Thanks for this review. Now I know this book is gonna be brilliant too.
.-= Shweta´s last blog ..Magic Study by Maria V Snyder =-.
I just read a not-so-good review of this one. I’ll have to check this one out later.
I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I just read a negative review of this same book. This is why I love the blogging community…we have the opportunity to hear so many perspectives and get to feel better about our own! Have a great week.
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – A Great Start to 2010 =-.
I have The Historian and am reading it right now, and you are totally right. Elizabeth weaves this amazing story together beautifully. I haven’t read The Swan Theives yet, but I’m looking forward to getting it soon. Thanks for the review!
This is a book I really want to read! Your post here makes me want to read it even more
.-= Sheila DeChantal´s last blog ..A Black Tie Affair by Sherill Bodine (Giveaway) =-.
I’ve heard really good things about this one. Great review!
.-= bookworm´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: Mid January =-.
Your review was gorgeous! I’m doing an audio re-read of this book right now and falling in love all over again.
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..The Little Stranger – Book Review =-.