The Swan Thieves

By: Elizabeth Kostova

Narrated by: John Lee, Treat Williams, Sarah Zimmerman, Anne Heche, Erin Cottrell

Psychiatrist Andrew Marlow, devoted to his profession and the painting hobby he loves, has a solitary but ordered life. When renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient, Marlow finds that order destroyed. Desperate to understand the secret that torments the genius, he embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.

Kostova's masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. The Swan Theives is a story of obsession, history's losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.

Love this audio production!

This is a fascinating story. It's for those who love mysteries, romance, art, art history...it is multifaceted, intriguing, touching, mystifying, sad, happy...you'll be drawn in right away. The narrators do a great job. Go ahead, give it a try!

This Books Reminds Me of a Watercolor Landscape

I would have loved to give The Swan Thieves four stars, but I cannot. The story is well conceived, but delivered in too many words, which when woven together create a languid series of interwoven memories. The lack of tension did not create boredom but rather led to a rather unworldly mist of colors of memories which bleed, as watercolor, from the 19th to the present century. I enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to a reader who enjoys literature and is not seeking the thrill of a Steven King novel.

The Swan Thieves

This is definately a book to listen to! It is beautifully descriptive and almost musical to hear!!Having each character have a different reader makes the book very realistic. The characters come alive. I can't wait to read more from this author!!!!

An Intimate Look into the Mind of an Artist

Would you listen to The Swan Thieves again? Why?

Yes, I found it very well written. A pleasure to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the point of view of the psychiatrist and his own story woven into in patient's life. It was a unique story and very well done.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think the characters come alive with narration. I love to read a good book too, but often I keep the words with me longer by listening to them in a character's voice.

If you could take any character from The Swan Thieves out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The artist's wife

Calling all art lovers

It was a slow start and the narrator's voice takes a little getting used to but once you are caught up in the history and romance of it all it is worth the time. Definitely for grown-ups only. If you love sci-fi/action then this is not for you. It did however make me want to sketch again.