The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
4.2 | 11,637 ratings
Price: 17.72
Last update: 02-02-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Thomas SarsenSpellbindingIn the riveting world of true crime literature, few tales are as spellbinding as "The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession". From the very first page, the reader is transported into a world of passion, intrigue, and high-stakes deception. This isn't just a book; it's an odyssey that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the lengths people will go for love and obsession.
The narrative is as exquisitely crafted as the artworks it chronicles. The author masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, shedding light on the often shadowy underworld of art theft, where fortunes change hands in the blink of an eye and trust is as rare as a genuine Rembrandt. The characters are intricate and multi-dimensional, transcending the typical archetypes of criminals and victims. The interplay of their motivations – from love to greed, ambition to revenge – paints a vivid picture of humanity in all its flawed beauty.
The love story at the heart of this saga is as mesmerizing as any of the stolen masterpieces. It reminds us that beneath the veneer of crime lies a tale as old as time: the pursuit of connection and understanding. It's a poignant reminder that love, in all its forms, can drive us to extremes, both noble and nefarious.
The pacing is impeccable. Each chapter brings with it a new revelation, a twist, or a deeper insight, making it nigh impossible to put down. The balance between the meticulous details of the art world and the raw emotions of the characters is nothing short of masterful.
But beyond the captivating story and the poetic prose, "The Art Thief" also raises profound questions about the value we place on art and the lengths we'll go to possess it. Is it the monetary value that drives this obsession, or is it something deeper, more primal? The book challenges us to reflect on the role of art in our lives and the price we're willing to pay for beauty.
In conclusion, "The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession" is a tour de force, a masterpiece in its own right. It's a tale that lingers long after the final page, urging us to look beyond the surface and find the stories hidden in the shadows. An absolute must-read for anyone who loves art, mysteries, or the complexities of the human heart. - Amazon CustomerInteresting Non FictionIncredible story of art theft in Europe- written from the art thief’s perspective with great insight into his flawed personality.
- C. FittingSTUNNING! EXHAUSTING! FANTASTIC!I just finished the book. I’m exhausted, but WOW! Such a great read! It moves along like a train slowly leaving its station, picking up speed as we pass milestones of museums and art theft scattered over the landscape. (To call this a cautionary tale falls short. That’s like saying jumping into the Grand Canyon from the rim is like tripping over a cobblestone. It’s bigger than that!)
We pass 20-50 pages and the story picks up momentum. At around this point I suggest putting aviator goggles on, scarf tied down/hat pulled over the ears so one’s hair doesn’t whip-sap at your eyes. It’s zooming now, moving over ground quickly but thoroughly.
With 50 pages-out of 209-to go, the story accelerates at bullet-train speed. It’s stunning what transpires. Suddenly, or not so suddenly, we land at the end with a thud and a swift kick in the boot, jettisoned beyond the pages to admire the incredible craft of the author and what a great job he did driving his maniac story hell-bent while staying on the rails and depositing us safely at the end. For me, I was greatly impressed by the story much more so than that of the characters, and they were well drawn. (I’m still trying to figure out why Chip Kidd, the famous designer, put Albrecht Durer’s bat on the cover. They’re wonderful creatures but maligned by stereotyping. Maybe that’s the point? Loved the second half of the cover art with the sweet sleeping youth, ‘The Little Shepard’ by Francois Boucher. He could be a reflection of our youthful Art Thief, Stephane Breitwieser.) - Rob C.Amazing story, but not well writtenThe story is a solid 5 star one but I do not think that Micheal Finkel did it justice. Mr Finkel is a reporter by training and it showed. Sort of felt like I was reading a news story, not a deep and interesting book…but oddly there is nothing out there written in English that tells this miraculous story. But know you will be disappointed in the writing ….but DO read this story!!!
- Jacqueline Cruzfun, easy, interestingThis was a fun read, with an easy pace, and interesting facts. It was well researched but not overwhelming or repetitive.
- ChoosyMy head is still swimming……from this whirlwind of a read. It’s hard to believe that Breitwieser was so unbelievably delusional in thinking his heists were justified. He had no conscience. Author Michael Finkel gives a lot of necessary detail while still keeping my attention on this crazy story. I highly recommend it for personal reading or for a book club discussion. From now on, I will be visiting museums in a completely different light.