The Swan Thieves

I have just finished reading The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova and it was a fantastic book - in fact I feel like I have just finished reading at least 4 books. The story involves several love stories, a couple of separate mysteries, stories in modern day time and stories from the 1800s all set in multiple locations including New York and Paris. Linking all these stories and settings is several artists and the art they either created, were influenced by or were attempting to destroy.

'Dr Andrew Marlow has a perfectly ordered life, full of devotion to his work and the painting hobby he loves. This order is destroyed when renowned artist Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery and becomes his patient. As Oliver refuses to speak, Marlow's only clue is the beautiful, haunted woman Oliver paints obsessively, day after day. Who is she, and what strange hold does she have over this tormented genius? Desperate to help, Marlow embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver, and to a dark story at the heart of the French Impressionism - a tragedy that ripples out to touch present-day lives.'

I loved this book and all the characters and never wanted the book to end. I am now inspired to go and visit art galleries again - something I have been meaning to do for ages and am especially inspired to go and see the Rupert Bunny exhibition currently on display at the Art Gallery of SA (I'm sure I could interest a couple of you in that outing?).

I think this would be a great discussion book for any book club - it's a very easy read but a fascinating history and mystery rolled into one. (Thank you Nikki for the recommendation - would love to hear of any others you have enjoyed as well.) I have only one complaint about the book (other than it had to finish) and that is the final treatment and the subsequent results for the patient, Robert - but I don't want to spoil the ending as I'm hoping you'll all read it and tell me your thoughts.....