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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
"What will happen to me in the end? What happens to people who live the way I do? That's what I'd like to know."
"The Thief" is a small book, easily read in a little under two hours, but those are two hours well spent. You follow the main character (whose name is revealed exactly once), a pickpocket, who, despite himself, suddenly finds himself in something big and possibly ugly. It's not your typical crime story, but it was absolutely fascinating to read. Also, having read two very short, but excellent books in a row I have to say that while big, long books are nice as well, there is something to be said for something this reduced, yet intense.
"The Thief" is a small book, easily read in a little under two hours, but those are two hours well spent. You follow the main character (whose name is revealed exactly once), a pickpocket, who, despite himself, suddenly finds himself in something big and possibly ugly. It's not your typical crime story, but it was absolutely fascinating to read. Also, having read two very short, but excellent books in a row I have to say that while big, long books are nice as well, there is something to be said for something this reduced, yet intense.
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Brief but beautifully evocative, sparse yet hugely informative, THE THIEF is another example of Japanese noir sensibility. Told in first person, Nishimura is a pickpocket who targets the rich by preference. Working his highly skilled way through the crowds of Tokyo, he's an unrepentant thief, and a fragile man. Manipulated into a much bigger crime by the gangster Kizaki, Nishimura's life might be spiralling out of control, yet he is still able to reach out to a young boy. The relationship between the man and the boy is touching and poignant as he gives advice on the best way to steal, whilst trying to find a way out of a bad home life and into some sort of future.
Whilst there is action built into the plot, the main focus of THE THIEF for this reader, was the characters. Drawn with deft strokes that give you a clear view of a vulnerable young boy, his driven and desperate mother, and the crime boss Kizaki - calm, determined, vicious and dangerous.
Into every reader's life a book like THE THIEF really should creep. Precise and compact, the style of storytelling feeds the reader's imagination with sufficient detail of the place, and the atmosphere of Nishimura's Tokyo. That brevity also draws a fascinating portrait of the man himself, the matter-of-factness of observation leaving the reader to interpret the causes and outcomes of each event. Even for such a slim volume, it really should have come with a warning about reading late into the night.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-thief-fuminori-nakamura
Whilst there is action built into the plot, the main focus of THE THIEF for this reader, was the characters. Drawn with deft strokes that give you a clear view of a vulnerable young boy, his driven and desperate mother, and the crime boss Kizaki - calm, determined, vicious and dangerous.
Into every reader's life a book like THE THIEF really should creep. Precise and compact, the style of storytelling feeds the reader's imagination with sufficient detail of the place, and the atmosphere of Nishimura's Tokyo. That brevity also draws a fascinating portrait of the man himself, the matter-of-factness of observation leaving the reader to interpret the causes and outcomes of each event. Even for such a slim volume, it really should have come with a warning about reading late into the night.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-thief-fuminori-nakamura
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a fast, intriguing read!
This book follows the activities of a Japanese thief, who is very skilled at pick-pocketing. The author describes each mini heist in detail, so you can clearly picture how the thief is so successful.
As with many professional criminals, life isn't sunshine and roses for the Thief. While he may not be a role model or someone I want to switch lifestyles with, he isn't a "bad" guy. He is relatable and I found myself wanting to root for and protect him. His memories provide food for thought about morality, fate, and free will vs. determinism. I found the philosophical interactions between him and Kizaki very thought-provoking.
It was the first book I've read by this author, and I'm definitely encouraged to read more after this. It has a darker tone to it, but isn't too heavy. The characters don't experience a lot of growth but it's interesting to learn what makes them tick and why they are making the choices that, on the face of it, seem a bit self-destructive.
P.S.:
WHAT WAS IN THE BOX? I NEED TO KNOW!
Also, I really wanted a different ending; the written one is definitely the best choice, and the author is brilliant, but my Hollywood-endings, rooting-for-the-underdog self wanted different things for The Thief.
This book follows the activities of a Japanese thief, who is very skilled at pick-pocketing. The author describes each mini heist in detail, so you can clearly picture how the thief is so successful.
As with many professional criminals, life isn't sunshine and roses for the Thief. While he may not be a role model or someone I want to switch lifestyles with, he isn't a "bad" guy. He is relatable and I found myself wanting to root for and protect him. His memories provide food for thought about morality, fate, and free will vs. determinism. I found the philosophical interactions between him and Kizaki very thought-provoking.
It was the first book I've read by this author, and I'm definitely encouraged to read more after this. It has a darker tone to it, but isn't too heavy. The characters don't experience a lot of growth but it's interesting to learn what makes them tick and why they are making the choices that, on the face of it, seem a bit self-destructive.
P.S.:
WHAT WAS IN THE BOX? I NEED TO KNOW!
Also, I really wanted a different ending; the written one is definitely the best choice, and the author is brilliant, but my Hollywood-endings, rooting-for-the-underdog self wanted different things for The Thief.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Alcohol
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
it was just a snippet of a thief’s (nishimura’s) life and yet we somehow got a glimpse of the whole picture—his life before pickpocketing, tokyo’s underground and political dynamics. had this book been any longer, i would’ve loved to see more of why kizaki was operating the way that he did. what a cruel, though often times extremist, villain.
as for the ending, i thought my copy was cut with how abrupt it was but yk what, leaves room for imagination.
as for the ending, i thought my copy was cut with how abrupt it was but yk what, leaves room for imagination.
A quick read about a pickpocket in Japan as he navigates a society, he has abandoned by virtue of his gift for stealing. The ending is open ended and the book was well paced. Not the most memorable but good for a Saturday afternoon.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
they stole some stuff but i mean nothing else really happened… it was nice background noice while i played disney dreamlight valley lol