The man arrived after morning prayers. Word spread quickly that someone had come, and the boys of Saint Anthony's orphanage elbowed each other and strained to catch a glimpse as he unhitched his horse and led it to the trough for drinking. The man's face was hard to make out, his hat pulled so far down that the brim nearly touched his nose. He tied the reins to a post and then stood there, patting the horse's neck as it drank. The man waited, and the boys watched, and when the mare finally lifted her head, they saw the man lean forward, stroke the animal's nose, and kiss her. Then he wiped his lips with the back of his hand, removed his hat, and made his way across the yard to the monastery.

This was a very good book. I can't recall when I read it but enjoyed the story ver much. ( )

Good ( )

The underbelly of history. What is going on with the poor while the big guns make history? Here is the strange and convoluted story of a young orphan taken from the boy's home and trained to be a thief. Couldn't put it down. ( )

This novel is crazy violent, from the cruel church-run boys' orphanage where Ren has lived since babyhood, and especially in the city of Umbrage where the brutal McGinty holds a simmering life-long grudge. Against a backdrop of suffering, pain and unmet needs there are moments of grace and kindness. Benjamin, Tom, Mrs. Sands and her brother show Ren love, patience and decency. And the dybuk-like Dolly does as well.

The Good Thief is a classic tale of good against evil.

I suggest reading this book to experience the magic for yourself.