maybak 's review for:

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li

3.75

adventurous emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Portrait of a Thief is Grace D. Li’s debut novel. I was enthusiastic about the novel when I read the synopsis. I listen to the audiobook version. I wish they had one narrator for each crew member as I found it irritating listening to the male narrator, Austin Ku, trying to do female voices. 

I like that the novel mixes real-life events to fiction. I remembered vaguely of the Chinese art heists that shook Europe a decade ago or so. What I liked the most about the novel is that it prompts us to reflect on the cultural looting that affected so many former colonies and how the West tries to justify holding on to stolen art. It was interesting and refreshing seeing things from the other side. 

I enjoyed learning about these characters and their different experiences growing up as Chinese-Americans (for Will, Irene, Alex and Lily) and as a Chinese teen who immigrated to the US (Daniel). The author did a great job at painting the challenges, the weight of family expectations, the otherness that Chinese-Americans or Chinese immigrants may feel while living in the US, and how they’re perceived “back home”. 

I found that Act 1 dragged on for too long and I much preferred listening to the other two acts. Some readers complained about the plot pointing out that it was farfetched and unrealistic in some areas. I personally don’t mind it as I deem the heist is not the focus of the book. It is to set the atmosphere but it is what the heist represents that is more important—taking back what is rightfully yours and claiming your heritage.