The Thief Lord
2 journalers for this copy...
I first discovered this book via its advertisements on BookCrossing - this was back in the early days of the site, too. At the time I "read" it via audio download - in fact I think it was my first Audible.com purchase - and only recently picked up an inexpensive paperback edition.
It's about a pair of brothers, Prosper and Bo; they've been orphaned, and their aunt only wants to keep the angelic-looking little boy Bo, so she puts Prosper in an orphanage. He escapes, collects Bo, and the two of them head for Venice, which their mother had often told them stories of. There, lost on the streets, they fall in with a group of children who are living in an abandoned movie theatre and are led by the enigmatic Thief Lord - who's no older than the other kids, but who supports them all from the proceeds of his daring robberies. But the aunt follows them and hires a detective to hunt them out, even as the group is attempting to pull of its biggest heist yet, one that would make them all secure...
I enjoyed this moody "lost boys in Venice" tale very much, especially the ongoing surprises as we learn who the Thief Lord really is, and then the truth about the big caper he and his band have been hired to carry out, and then... well, there's a biggish surprise near the end that I won't give away! I liked the way each of the children had their own strengths and weaknesses, and how Funke made them likeable without being saccharine; and the adult characters, good, evil, or borderline, held my interest. A satisfactory resolution, yet with hints of regret... very enjoyable.
[There's a decent film version of the book out now - I believe it went directly to DVD, though I don't know why it didn't hit theaters first; while it does skip some of the deeper/darker aspects of the book (and, sadly, reduces the character of Hornet to a mere supporting player) it's remarkably faithful to the story for the most part and as book-to-film adaptations go is quite good. OK, and the actor who plays Scipio, the Thief Lord, is exceedingly charming - and closer to 16 than the 12 he is in the book, which doesn't hurt {grin}.]
It's about a pair of brothers, Prosper and Bo; they've been orphaned, and their aunt only wants to keep the angelic-looking little boy Bo, so she puts Prosper in an orphanage. He escapes, collects Bo, and the two of them head for Venice, which their mother had often told them stories of. There, lost on the streets, they fall in with a group of children who are living in an abandoned movie theatre and are led by the enigmatic Thief Lord - who's no older than the other kids, but who supports them all from the proceeds of his daring robberies. But the aunt follows them and hires a detective to hunt them out, even as the group is attempting to pull of its biggest heist yet, one that would make them all secure...
I enjoyed this moody "lost boys in Venice" tale very much, especially the ongoing surprises as we learn who the Thief Lord really is, and then the truth about the big caper he and his band have been hired to carry out, and then... well, there's a biggish surprise near the end that I won't give away! I liked the way each of the children had their own strengths and weaknesses, and how Funke made them likeable without being saccharine; and the adult characters, good, evil, or borderline, held my interest. A satisfactory resolution, yet with hints of regret... very enjoyable.
[There's a decent film version of the book out now - I believe it went directly to DVD, though I don't know why it didn't hit theaters first; while it does skip some of the deeper/darker aspects of the book (and, sadly, reduces the character of Hornet to a mere supporting player) it's remarkably faithful to the story for the most part and as book-to-film adaptations go is quite good. OK, and the actor who plays Scipio, the Thief Lord, is exceedingly charming - and closer to 16 than the 12 he is in the book, which doesn't hurt {grin}.]
Journal Entry 2 by 
GoryDetails
at Blockbusters (see text for location) in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Saturday, April 15, 2006
GoryDetails at Blockbusters (see text for location) in Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Saturday, April 15, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (4/15/2006 UTC) at Blockbusters (see text for location) in Nashua, New Hampshire USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I left the book inside the Blockbuster at 379 Amherst St. (Somerset Plaza) at about 2:30, tucked behind one of the DVD boxes for the film (it just barely fits!). Hope the finder enjoys it!
I left the book inside the Blockbuster at 379 Amherst St. (Somerset Plaza) at about 2:30, tucked behind one of the DVD boxes for the film (it just barely fits!). Hope the finder enjoys it!
I work at Blockbuster Video where the person first put the book. I knew of the movie, but I never saw it. I liked the Chronicles of Narnia, so a part of me knew I was going to enjoy this book, and I was right. It took me awhile to get to a computer and make an entry, but now I am finished the book and sending it on it's way. I was going to wait until July when I go to Chicago, but a part of me believes I have to let it go now. I hope the next person enjoys the book as much as I do. I am leaving it at Palmers Cleaners, where it's journey will continue.
CAUGHT IN NASHUA NEW HAMPSHIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CAUGHT IN NASHUA NEW HAMPSHIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
