The Art Thief by Michael Finkel is a welcome change from other novels I’ve been reading. It is narrative non-fiction – a true story written like a novel. I consider it a cross between The Thomas Crown Affair, and Catch Me If You Can. The hard part is deciding if Pierce Brosnan or Leo DiCaprio should play the main character. Decisions, decisions… But I digress. A modern (1990’s) story of the greatest art thief in history, this book details the criminal behavior and mindset of Stephane Breitwieser, who, with his girlfriend, lived in France in his mother’s house. The thought processes of each of these people was fascinating to read; their denial of what he was doing, justification for the crimes, and addiction to the thefts create suspense and intrigue. He will be caught, and then what will happen? I recommend The Art Thief for readers or teachers looking for something different, fast-paced, and psychological.
