The Author Certainly Knows About Art
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Noah Charney was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1979. After graduating, he moved to London, where he studied at the Courtauld Institute and received a Masters for his work on seventeenth century sculpture in Rome. During this year he also, for fun, wrote his first novel, The Art Thief. He subsequently received a second Masters at Cambridge University, and began a PhD. As you can see from the above information the author certainly has the qualifications to write a novel involving the art world.
This book is a really interesting and well written first novel, particularly if you have an interest in art and traveling. The plot involves the theft of two famous paintings, one in Rome, the other in Paris. The theft of these two paintings seems to start an epidemic of art thefts throughout Europe. The author has obviously done his homework as regards the European art world and the book moves along at a fair old pace, so much so that it is almost a travelogue of Europe.
I really enjoyed the book. It was like a breath of fresh air to get away from the save the world in twenty minutes brigade and read a well structured novel with strong characters and an entertaining and enjoyable backdrop of art galleries, museums and auction houses in some of the most beautiful cities in the world. The author's love of his subject shines through the pages like a beacon and his enthusiasm automatically rubs off on the reader. This is one of the few books that I have read recently, where I was sorry when it ended. However after a debut novel such as this, I am sure there will be more from the author.
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WITTY, SOPHISTICATED, INTRIGUING
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Every once in a great while a debut novel comes along that's head and shoulders above the rest. My response to Noah Charney's initial work is "Eureka! It's the mother lode!" The Art Thief is an intellectual, witty, page-turning tale of three art thefts which take place in the most fascinating-to-read-about settings - Rome, Paris, and London.
Mr. Charney has an amazing ability to describe his characters so originally, so memorably that you feel you actually know them. Surely, if I saw a man wearing "his smile like a crown of thorns," I'd immediately recognize Professor Barrow. Or, should I spy on a London street a fellow with a coat that revealed a "coffee colored lining, which hung, a corner ripped out and dragging," I'd want to say good day to Harry Wickenden - even if he was not consulting "his ten-pound gold Rolex watch." Should I have the good fortune to be dining in Paris and see the porcine Inspector Jean-Jacques Bizot, he'd be quickly placed as "His brambly peppered beard was a tangle of chin and leftovers, and bounced of its own volition, revealing his gummy smile." It's sheer pleasure to follow each of their adventures.
Our story opens in Italy, in a small church, Santa Giulana. The church's pride is a Caravagio altarpiece, which disappears in the dark of night. No clues, no trace, only a distraught Father Amoroso.
The Malevich Society in Paris, overseen by the erudite, chain smoking Genevieve Delacloche, is in a turmoil as its prime painting, White on White, by Kasimir Malevich has disappeared from the impenetrable vault in the Society's basement.
In London the National Gallery of Art pays an astounding 6.3 million pounds for what is to be the centerpiece of an upcoming exhibit. But, despite tight security odd things are occurring at the Gallery. Closed-circuit television screens reveal movement in the basement utility room but the screens don't show anyone. Those monitoring the screens can't communicate with other security personnel; they cannot call the police as their phones are dead. Their latest acquisition is gone, and a hefty ransom demanded.
To perplex further the thieves leave notes, clues, if you will, that tease. How any of these thefts could be connected will both confound and enthrall readers.
Mr. Charney's novel is rich in art history and abounds with detail regarding art thievery, such as the fact that "90% of all criminal collectors of art are people of wealth and society." Most often they are men who have amassed art quite legitimately through auctions and galleries. Information of this sort springs easily from Mr. Charney as he is the founding director of the first consulting group on art crime prevention and solution. It's clear that he is passionate about art and all its facets.
However, the appeal of The Art Thief is not limited to art lovers, Francophiles, Anglophiles, or Italophiles as it stands alone as a story of compelling suspense. My one caveat would be that the art lectures delivered by one of his characters tended to run on for a bit, while this reader wanted to get to the bottom of all the intriguing double dealing going on. Nonetheless, that was a small price to pay for such an absorbing, sophisticated page-turner.
- Gail Cooke
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An exciting thriller with much adventure; very highly recommended.......
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I found myself excited and engaged by Noah Charney's debut novel. "The Art Thief" is beautifully written. The sophisticated plot skillfully transports the reader through Europe with many exciting twists and turns upon the journey to discover the missing priceless artwork.
I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse and eclectic character development used in "The Art Thief." Many times the unique characters brought a smile to my face. Finally, I was most appreciative of Mr. Charney's gentle education of the art world and the crimes that can occur. Having read "The Art Thief" I not only enjoyed myself, but I expanded my knowledge as well. I have noted this novel in my book journal as a "must read", as well because of the fast and fun pace it also makes for a great gift. ENJOY!!!
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