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Book Jacket

The Good Thief
by Hannah Tinti

Publisher: Dial Press
Publication date: 08/26/2008.
Novels, 336 pp.

Number of reader reviews: 18
Readers' Consensus: 4.5
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First Impressions: Page 1 of 3
Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Cam (Murrells Inlet SC)

The Good Thief
Oh, wow, The Good Thief is one good book!

Written somewhat in the manner of a Charles Dickens, Tinti writes beautifully with characters, Ren in particular, who wend their way into your hearts.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a really good read!

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Carol (Pawleys Island SC)

A rollicking adventure
The Good Thief includes a cast of characters that you might find in a fairy tale. There are orphaned children, a hustler, an orge, and a dwarf among others. I loved them all..This is a rollicking adventure that is reminiscent of Mark Twain or Charles Dickens.

I couldn't read fast enough to discover how Ren and his family of friends would survive their next ordeal or if Ren would find his true parentage.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Barbara (Hilton Head SC)

I loved this book
I loved this book; it's a great adventure story with lots of surprising twists in the plot. The author, Hanna Tinti, has a vivid imagination and a wonderful sense of humor. Readers will be cheering for Ren, the tough little orphan who is missing one of his hands; he's spunky, smart, and loyal. I highly recommend this book.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Carole (Upper Marlboro MD)

The Good Thief Steals Reader's Heart
When Ren, the "good thief" of the title is rescued from the Brothers of St. Anthony orphanage by Benjamin Nab, he has with his scant possessions a stolen copy of The Lives of the Saints and a bit of cloth with the letters R E N embroidered on it. The adventures of this one-handed little orphan and his scam-artist companions make for an enjoyable and engrossing read. What lover of books would not warm to author Hanna Tinti when she pens Ren's response to his second purloined volume, The Deerslayer... "At times he felt like he was reading fragments of his own dreams, reassembled into words that pulled at his heart as if there were a string tied somewhere inside his chest that ran down into the book and attached itself to the characters, drawing him through the pages."

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Nikki (Fort Wayne IN)

Two thumbs up!
If you want to remember how it was to pick up a book and read for the sheer pleasure of reading, then read this book! So many novels try to incorporate heavy-handed political agendas or eco-views into the plotline and the story gets bogged down. It was so refreshing to read a great story without all of the "underlying messages". I thoroughly enjoyed The Good Thief and I think you will too!

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Randi (Walnut Creek CA)

Harrowing adventure, great fun!
What a fun read!

After leaving the orphanage, Ren's life is jam-packed with adventures. Hannah Tinti is adept at continuously throwing perils and quandaries and surprises Ren's (and the lucky reader's) way, without getting ridiculous. Her characters are all interesting, whether diabolical or endearing. This story has been compared to Dickens-like tales, and it does create a similar mood, without the heaviness.

This is a taut tale, with lots of action, and no wasted words.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Amy (Wildomar CA)

The Good Thief--Unique Read!
This book is really different from anything I’ve read lately, and I absolutely loved it! It’s a really fun book with vivid characters, imaginative descriptions, and spot on perfect pacing. The world in this story is brought quickly to life, I came to care about Ren and the people who enriched his life very quickly, and the adventures and experiences he has in the company of Benjamin Nab are masterfully spun like a grand tale. This is the sort of book you pick and don’t want to put down until you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommended.

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