Plot Summary

The Swan Thieves

Elizabeth Kostova
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The Swan Thieves

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010

Book Brief

Elizabeth Kostova

The Swan Thieves

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

576

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Washington, D.C. • 1990s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova follows Dr. Andrew Marlowe, a psychiatrist, as he delves into the psychological and historical intricacies behind his patient Robert Oliver's destructive attack on an Impressionist painting. Through unraveling Robert's obsession with a mysterious woman named Beatrice and the secrets hidden in old letters, Marlowe exposes a deeper tragedy tied to French Impressionist art.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Romantic

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

3.9

36,416 ratings

57%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Elizabeth Kostova’s The Swan Thieves blends art and mystery, earning praise for its evocative prose and intricate narrative. Readers laud its rich historical detail and complex characters, yet some criticize its slow pacing and occasional convolutions in plot. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of deep, atmospheric storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Swan Thieves?

A reader who enjoys intricate historical mysteries, psychological suspense, and richly detailed art narratives will appreciate The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. Comparable to those who favor Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and A.S. Byatt's Possession, this book appeals to lovers of art history and complex plotlines.

3.9

36,416 ratings

57%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

576

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Washington, D.C. • 1990s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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