Book Club Discussion Questions
For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, and our BookBrowse Review of The Rescue Artist.
Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
Introduction
Edward Dolnick has done a terrific job in
The Rescue Artist of
opening up all the elements of a specific event-the theft of Edward Munch's
famous painting
The Scream - and bringing them together like a skilled
choreographer, resulting in a great reading experience. This book has it all:
truth, suspense, humor, in-depth analysis, great characterizations, wonderful
writing, and a truly interesting look at civilization in all its layers.
When thieves climbed a ladder into the National Gallery of Oslo, Norway in 1994
and made off with
The Scream, a national treasure and an international
cultural icon, a drama was set into motion that is better than any fictional
crime novel or screenplay. Dolnick explores the history of art theft, and the
kind of people involved, from all sectors of society, with an ear for great
dialogue as great as Hitchcock's, and an eye for detail as finely tuned as any
painter.
He introduces the reader to Charles Hill, the detective who solved this crime,
and a character so fascinating that he rivals any fictional detective for
bravado, complexity, risk-taking and ethics. Hill is a rarity, an officer of the
law who has a deep understanding of and passion for art. He cares far more about
the masterpieces that he tracks than about pursuing the thieves who steal them
and Dolnick makes the reader understand why. As the story develops, we are left
on the edge of our seats as Dolnick explores the themes of culture, class,
crime, police, crooks and the world they share. Ultimately this book is no mere
"who-dunnit," but an accomplished and fascinating look into the value of art in
western culture, and the ways in which it affects the daily lives of even the
most ordinary citizens. It's impossible to read this book without learning a
great deal about art, about crime, and about desire, all the while having a
great time.
Questions for Discussion
- Were you shocked to find out what an easy time thieves seem to have in
stealing paintings worth millions of dollars? It seems to be so easy, and
yet Dolnick tells us that the thieves rarely manage to profit from these
crimes. What are some of the things that motivate them to keep doing it? Did
these reasons ring true to you?
- What are some of the characteristics that the world of crime and world
of law enforcement seem to share? In this book, which world seemed to be the
most effective, and in what ways?
- Art crimes of this magnitude link together the highest and lowest levels
of society. Could you identify at all with thieves who seem to simply want
to prove that they can penetrate the fortresses of the ultra-rich and get
away with it?
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- How does the author develop themes of identity and belonging throughout the narrative?
- What role does the setting play in shaping the characters' decisions and relationships?
- Discuss how the ending reframes the events of the story. Were you surprised?
Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Harper Perennial.
Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.
