Monday, November 15, 2010

THE SWAN THIEVES: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE SWAN THIEVES
BY ELIZABETH KOSTOVA

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Andrew Marlow, a psychiatrist, has a perfectly ordered life--solitary, perhaps, but full of devotion to his profession and the painting hobby he loves. This order is destroyed when the renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes Marlow's patient.

When Oliver refuses to talk or cooperate, Marlow finds himself going beyond his own legal and ethical boundaries to understand the secret that torments this silent genius, a journey that will lead him into the lives of the women closest to Robert Oliver and toward a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.

Moving from American museums to the coast of Normandy, from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth, from young love to last love, THE SWAN THIEVES is a story of obsession, the losses of history, and the power of art to preserve human hope.

Go HERE to listen to an excerpt of THE SWAN THIEVES.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elizabeth Kostova graduated from Yale and holds an MFA from the University of Michigan, where she won the Hopwood Award for the Novel-in-Progress. Go HERE to watch a video of Elizabeth Kostova talk about THE SWAN THIEVES...it is fascinating! You may also enjoy the PODCAST Interview from ALOUD at Central Library by going HERE.



MY REVIEW:
Once Robert Oliver, a well known artist, attacked a painting at the National Gallery of Art and is arrested, the life of psychiatrist Andrew Marlow changed forever. Marlow, whose hobby happens to be painting, is called to take over Robert's case. He finds out that Robert and his former wife, Kate, were recently divorced and on top of that, Robert has left his latest girlfriend as well. So Andrew Marlow tries to treat his new patient, but he finds that Robert refuses to speak.

Marlow must examine Robert's personal life to try and find a clue to Robert's act of violence as well as his refusal to speak. Marlow contacts people who are part of Robert's life to try and find answers. Much is discovered about who Robert is now, compared to who he was before, from these people and most of them are women. The case is puzzling and intriguing and Marlow becomes very involved with his new patient to the point that it takes over a good part of his own life. Dr. Marlow finds that Robert paints the same woman over and over again and this somewhat leads him to also find a long hidden secret. This secret involves a scandal in the world of 19th century art.
THE SWAN THIEVES is not just a mystery but also a love story. It is filled with interesting characters, whose own lives are a part of the story. It was so interesting to read the way Kostova told the story through not only different characters to add to Marlow's own tale, but also to learn from ancient letters and the past in the 19th century. All these parts come together to tell this unique story of THE SWAN THIEVES. If you want a really good mystery and trust the author who wrote THE HISTORIAN that so many readers have loved, then you will not be disappointed by this next book of Elizabeth Kostova. You will love pondering the questions that are meant to come up as Kostova planned. You will probably come to a point where you really wonder if Robert is mentally ill or is there something else going on? Why DID he slash that painting and who are all these women in his life? Is all this somehow related to the parts that come to light over the ancient letters?
This is indeed a long book but one that will wrap you around it binding and not let go as you want to find out what is going on. As mental illness is always a hard thing to deal with and read about but intertwined with the mystery, it transfixes the reader and thus shows what a fine writer Elizabeth Kostova truly is.
A WONDERFUL book for book clubs, (mine had a long and exciting discussion with this book) you can link to the Reading Guide HERE by visiting the Hachette Book Group website and on THE SWAN THIEVES page, you will see the link in the lower right-hand corner. Enjoy! 
 
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO VALERIE AND THE GOOD
FOLKS AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK TO GIVE AWAY
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
READ "ABOUT THE BOOK" AND"ABOUT THE AUTHOR" ABOVE AND COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: VISIT ELIZABETH KOSTOVA'S LOVELY WEBSITE BY GOING HERE AND READ ABOUT THE MANY THINGS THERE. COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING THERE


+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, ENTER EACH SEPARATELY FOR AN ADDITIONAL ENTRY

+2 MORE ENTRIES: BECOME A FAN OF ELIZABETH KOSTOVA ON FACEBOOK HERE AND AFTER YOU "LIKE" HER, LEAVE A COMMENT THAT YOU ENTERED THE GIVEAWAY OF THE SWAN THIEVES ON BOOKIN' WITH BINGO. IF YOU DO BOTH, ENTER TWICE SO YOU GET TWO ENTRIES!

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, NOVEMBER 30
GOOD LUCK!

123 comments:

traveler said...

I am intrigued by this unique novel. Interesting art, history and characters. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The author's website is fascinating and excellent. Artistic. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This interesting novel which combines art, history and vivid characters sounds compelling. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am a follower. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Not only is the author a writer but she has an MFA so she is an authority on art history as well. Quite a background. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/4293277117317120


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

A mystery and a love story, doesn't get much better than that


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

flutterby said...

art plus mystery... yes please!

stephanie(.)pridgen(at)gmail(.)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/4293277117317120

This might be a duplicate) got interrupted again


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

flutterby said...

"liked" Elizabeth Kostova on Facebook

stephanie(.)pridgen(at)gmail(.)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

The studio ponied up seven figures for Elizabeth Kostova's novel, her first, shortly before it hit bookstores two years ago,--wow not only does her book get published but they are already grabbing film rights to it.


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

flutterby said...

i follow on GFC

stephanie(.)pridgen(at)gmail(.)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I follow on FaceBook-Lisa Ann Richards

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+1
I liked KOSTOVA ON FACEBOOK and left a comment


http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=455395891079&id=147747121079

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+2
I liked KOSTOVA ON FACEBOOK and left a comment


http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=455395891079&id=147747121079

Unknown said...

This book sounds to be dripping with suspense! Why did he tear up the painting? Sounds like a very good read because it already has given me questions that I want answered! :)

christauf4(at)gmail.com

holdenj said...

I think that crime against a piece of artwork is an interesting way to get a story going. Sounds like there will be more than meets the eye.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I enjoyed Kostova's earlier novel, The Historian, and was interested to see it's been optioned for the big screen.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I follow via RSS feed.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Reading said...

I would love to read this. This is one that I have had my eye on for a while. I love the idea of delving into a person's past.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Pamela Keener said...

What an interesting premise to tie the past in with the present. The power of art to preserve human hope, I love that

Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I love how her website is set up within a pictureframe and the music is lovely.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via GFC
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via Google Reader
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I am an e-mail subscriber to your blog
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I like Bookin w/Bingo II on FB/Pam Keener
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I tweeted this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/pam4290/status/4383888906387456
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I like Elizabeth Kostova on FB & I posted that I entered your giveaway on her wall.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I like Elizabeth Kostova on FB & I posted that I entered the giveaway for The Swan Thieves on Bookin With Bingo/Pam Keener
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

hendy said...

This book is on my WL. I always thought a genius' mind boardered on insanity and brilliance so it will be interesting to see how this character gets it all sorted out, if he does.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/HendyMartin/status/4395426526531584
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Follow via GFC
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Subscribe via email
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Follow on twitter @HendyMartin
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Subscribe to feed via google reader
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

debbie said...

I love a good mystery. It is always interesting to see why people do things. It sounds like this book would be really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I am follower and email subscriber. I would love to read this book because it sounds very interesting. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Unknown said...

I follow your blog through my Reading List on my Blogger Dashboard.

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Connie said...

Hi! I have wanted to read this author since she wrote the first novel "The Historian". This novel involves art and obsession which would be great to read. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

Hi! Loyal follower here. Love the new Bingo's picture! :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

bison61 said...

It sounds like a wonderful story of love and obsession

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like an interesting mystery. I really want to read it because I loved The Historian so much and would love to read another book by Elizabeth Kostova.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I found out on the author's website that she won the Hopwood Award for the Novel-In-Progress.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/Melanie_2006/status/5808555235999744

peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow via GFC (Melanie L)
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe by email.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow with Google Reader.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'd like to read this book because it sounds like a riveting tale of love and mystery and it involves the world of art which has always interested me.

Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Elizabeth Kostova went to Yale University and then got her MFA from the University of Michigan. Her debut novel was The Historian.


Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I am a Google Friend Connect follower


Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I am an email subscriber (my email for blogs: Aimala02@yahoo.com)


Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I follow on Google Reader

Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I follow on Networked blogs

Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

clenna said...

Marlow has to solve Robert's problem but Robert isn't talking. How intriguing is that. What a mystery he has to solve. The more he digs the more he unveils. Now I want to know too. I have to read it.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I subscribe via email

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I subscribe via RSS

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via Google.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via Networked Blogs

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow on FB

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

#1 I'm a fan of Elizabeth's on FB and I left her a message that I entered here.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

#2 I'm a fan of Elizabeth's on FB and I left her a message that I entered here.

clenna at aol dot com

MRWriter said...

I like the combination of psychology, crime of passion, art and love. Sounds very intriguing!

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

Her books are being optioned for feature films.

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

GFC follower & Email subscriber.
AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

Laura H. said...

You have the best giveaways! :-)
I would love to win this book because I enjoy stories that span decades and weave history into the story. Plus you throw in a little romance and I'm sold!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Ms. Kostova does have a beautiful website. I found it interesting that her other book, "The Historian", is to be made into a movie. I'm going to have to put that book on my TBR list too!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/9419848064966657

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

E-mail subscriber.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Old GFC follower (Bornajhawk).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Networked Blogs follower (Laura Grassie Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

FB fan (Laura Grassie Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

#1 "Liked" Ms. Kostova on FB and left comment: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=462357446079&id=147747121079

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

#2 "Liked" Ms. Kostova on FB and left comment: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=462357446079&id=147747121079

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Jeff said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=170482926308277&id=100000609680005

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/9602657962426369
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow RSS feed
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'm a facebook Fan
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow you on twitter
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'm a GFC follower
jeff72768@yahoo.com

jeff said...

I'm a email subscriber
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow you on network blogs
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow you on network blogs
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I became her fan of facebook

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I posted on her wall too.

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'm very interested in Art so I'll probably like this book. Thanks for the chance to win it!

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I hontesly couldn't read much on her site. There's a frame and the words are behind it, but I tried.

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'd love to read this book, the obession part sounds very intersting. SOme people go very far for love so to far.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I couldn't read anything on the website, the words aren't fitting within the frame.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/9606947951087616

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=157292014315897&id=100001087052807

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow RSS feed
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a facebook Fan
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on twitter
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a GFC follower
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a email subscriber
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on network blogs
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I Liked ELIZABETH KOSTOVA on facebook shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I posted, I entered your contest on ELIZABETH KOSTOVA wall

Unknown said...

This novel sounds like it has it all,I'd love to read it!!

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I too tried to look at her website and had the same problem all the words weren't inside the frame so most were cut off.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=177545908938835&id=100000641625482

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Romantic73/status/9618278959808512

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow RSS feed
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I Liked Elizabeth Kostova facebook page

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I posted on her wall too.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/48136121/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/48136607/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/48137501/

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I'm interested in this book because it involves the art world and it's historical. Also, I am a fan of Kostova and her first novel, The Historian (one of my favorites). It's interesting that she went to U of Michigan. I wonder if she's from Michigan, as I am?

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/9693232740966400

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I 'like' Kostova on Facebook (Michelle Stockard Miller-truebookaddict)

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I posted that I entered the giveaway here on Kostova's Facebook wall.

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I'm a GFC follower.

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I 'like' Bookin' with Bingo on Facebook.

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I follow on Twitter @truebookaddict

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I follow via Networked blogs.

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

The website is gorgeous. What a beautiful entry page. I am so thrilled that a script is being worked on for a film adaptation of The Historian. I just hope they do it justice.

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

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