The Good Thief (edit title)

• Rated 3 stars

“The orphan and the strange assortment of characters would definitely appeal to a boy. The action really picks up and twists outrageously. It reads like a comic book or a movie script. It was a fun quick read.”

• Rated 4 stars

“What a great story to end 2009. The main character is an orphan, who, like all orphans, wants a family. He is taken from the orphanage by a man and whose intentions are not all that noble. It reads somewhat like Oliver Twist. It was a very good story. I'd recommend it.”

• Rated 0 stars

“One-armed orphans, men who make a living off of digging up dead bodies, a killer who came back from the dead, chimney-scaling small people, and mouse trap making girls. This is not even a full list of the characters which this book stars. The very unusual twists and turns make this book almost childish, but the deeper topics and side stories add immense depth to the characters and their all very individual stories. Take Ren, a one armed orphan who grew up trying to survive in a religion based orphanage, until a man named Benjamin comes along and claims him as his long lost brother. What he really had in mind, was using his disability to rack up as much money as possible for Ren Benjimin, and an old school teacher(whose name invades me) to live off of. They steal, cheat, and even dig up dead bodies to sell to hospitals for scientific research, and for the team of the three to survive. Ren goes through a tough time, thinking that what he is doing is really going against God's will, and in his ind, we watch as he tries to pray his way back to God's good side to make up for all of the cheating and lying that he had done. The tittle is also really interesting. Ren was very good at getting empathy, and he also had 5 very quick and sticky fingers. So did the tittle mean that he was good at stealing, or just a good person, who happened to be a thief? Because that was also another big part. This boy Ren was a very clear mined boy, who tried to make friends and get others to think about God and how they think of them. He even softens up a once blood thirst killer to change and "be one of them." Ren is truly an amazing and interesting character who changes the lives of everyone he meets, although not always in a good way. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a high paced book, but also something to think over and gnaw on after it is finished.”

• Rated 3 stars

“This was a captivating read and that says a lot in my book. Many books are tests of endurance but this story has a lot of colorful characters and enough suspense to keep the interest of the average reader. I felt that some of the plot was contrived but I would still recommend it. If you need a page turner to boost your reading momentum give this a try!”

• Rated 4 stars

“Dark and fun and unrealistic! Didn't want to put it down.

I think I may have given this book away, and I feel bad because I want to read it again. I wish there were more books like this out there.”

• Rated 4 stars

“The story starts out simple enough, but before you know it you are reading a surreal tale you can't put down. I kept reading because I wanted to know what character I was going to meet next and just how the author was going to close! I liked the story and can see why it is easily compared to Dickens. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“
Choice Novel #4

The Good Thief

What worked for you? This novel was incredibly well written. The language was very poetic and filled with imagery. The story was unique and exciting and it really kept my interest.

What didn’t work for you? It started off very slowly; I didn’t mind it too much, but I am not sure that my students would have as much patience to get to “the good parts.”

What will I remember a year from now? I will remember the plot and the interesting characters: a dwarf who lives on a roof, grave robbers, a deaf landlady, a girl with a cleft-palate, a drunken, “retired” English teacher and a boy without a left hand.
”

• Rated 2 stars

“didn't finish”

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a brilliant little story which was surprisingly satisfying to read. Lots of plot twists & good story arc, but the best part was how you came to care characters so dirty & grimy & real. A bit of Dickens, perhaps, but a lovely, original tale!”

• Rated 4 stars

“I thought it started out like Oliver Twist lite--but the book just got better and better. I would have rated it 4 1/2 stars, if that was an available option!”