logo

79 pages 2 hours read

The Good Thief: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

"In this way Ren was responsible for most of the lost things being prayed for at the statue of Saint Anthony."


(Chapter 2, Page 15)

Ren begins to steal things—though small, admittedly—before he comes into Benjamin's care. Despite the threat of punishment by Father John and   God for his sins, Ren can't seem to help himself from taking these things. Later, Benjamin and Ren employ Ren's skills at theft to their advantage. 

Quotation Mark Icon

"Possessing the book had made what happened inside the pages somehow belong to him."


(Chapter 4, Page 35)

Ren steals The Lives of the Saints from Father John's office and is later caught by Brother Joseph. Brother Joseph, however, allows Ren to keep the book after doing penance in the form of prayer. He seems to intuit that the stories of the saints will benefit Ren more than the punishment he will receive for returning it. 

Quotation Mark Icon

"I told them what they wanted to hear so they'd give it to us."


(Chapter 5, Page 46)

Through his years of experience, Benjamin has become an adept confidence man, particularly when it comes to verbal manipulation. He has a gift for quickly coming up with stories to both get what he wants and get himself out of dangerous situations. Later, Ren will use this gift to buy himself time with Silas McGinty

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 79 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools