🕷️ Crawler Inspector

[0](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/cart) [Skip to Content](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/the-art-thief-a-true-story-michael-finkel#page) [about](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/) [writing & books](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/full-publications-1) [cv + press](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/cv-resume) [events](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/events) thesis \| korean lit [start here](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/start-here) [methodologies](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/methodologies) [historical contexts](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/historical-contexts) [Kim Myeong-sun](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kim-myeongsun) [Na Hye-seok](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/na-hyeseok) [Kim Won-ju](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kim-wonju) [Han Moo-sook](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/han-moo-sook) [Kang Sin-jae](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kang-sinjae) [Song Won-hui](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/song-won-hui) [case studies](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/case-studies) [bibliography](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/bibliography) [blog](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog) reviews [Review Policy](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/review-policy) [Film Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/film-reviews) [Book Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/book-reviews) [Television Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/television-reviews) [Travel Index](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/travel-index) [Theatre Review Index](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/theatre-review-index) [art shop](https://ashleynhajimirsadeghi.darkroom.com/) [Ashley Hajimirsadeghi](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/) Open Menu Close Menu Open Menu Close Menu [about](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/) [writing & books](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/full-publications-1) [cv + press](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/cv-resume) [events](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/events) thesis \| korean lit [start here](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/start-here) [methodologies](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/methodologies) [historical contexts](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/historical-contexts) [Kim Myeong-sun](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kim-myeongsun) [Na Hye-seok](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/na-hyeseok) [Kim Won-ju](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kim-wonju) [Han Moo-sook](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/han-moo-sook) [Kang Sin-jae](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kang-sinjae) [Song Won-hui](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/song-won-hui) [case studies](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/case-studies) [bibliography](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/bibliography) [blog](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog) reviews [Review Policy](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/review-policy) [Film Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/film-reviews) [Book Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/book-reviews) [Television Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/television-reviews) [Travel Index](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/travel-index) [Theatre Review Index](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/theatre-review-index) [art shop](https://ashleynhajimirsadeghi.darkroom.com/) [Ashley Hajimirsadeghi](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/) [about](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/) [writing & books](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/full-publications-1) [cv + press](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/cv-resume) [events](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/events) [Folder: thesis \| korean lit](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/thesis) [blog](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog) [Folder: reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/reviews) [art shop](https://ashleynhajimirsadeghi.darkroom.com/) [Back](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/) [start here](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/start-here) [methodologies](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/methodologies) [historical contexts](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/historical-contexts) [Kim Myeong-sun](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kim-myeongsun) [Na Hye-seok](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/na-hyeseok) [Kim Won-ju](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kim-wonju) [Han Moo-sook](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/han-moo-sook) [Kang Sin-jae](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/kang-sinjae) [Song Won-hui](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/song-won-hui) [case studies](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/case-studies) [bibliography](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/bibliography) [Back](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/) [Review Policy](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/review-policy) [Film Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/film-reviews) [Book Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/book-reviews) [Television Reviews](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/television-reviews) [Travel Index](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/travel-index) [Theatre Review Index](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/theatre-review-index) # The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel [Book Review](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/category/Book+Review) Jul 12 Written By [Ashley Hajimirsadeghi](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog?author=5ea1f78f2222f555855abd67) # Review of *The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession* by Michael Finkel ***  *The Art Thief* by Michael Finkel (2023). Published by Knopf. There are so many books I’ve randomly stumbled upon throughout the years without ever having heard of them before the fact. *The Art Thief* is one of them. One of the many weird pros about running a book blog and reflecting really hard about the books I’m reading is that I come to understand the books I’d enjoy, and I also have several avenues beyond social media where I can discover new things to read throughout my boring days. *The Art Thief* I found specifically through *The New York Times* and their book section. I like reading through what their recommendations are because I’ve found they somewhat align with my taste throughout the years, but I thought this one was specifically an interesting recommendation. I hadn’t heard of the case and wanted to learn more—that’s the crux of my interest here. And so I found the audiobook on Libby, put my request in, and was happily listening to it over two months later. Let’s get into the review\! *** ## Over the course of six years, Stéphane Breitwieser stole over two hundred works of art from European art museums. This is a pretty brief book, as it clocks in at a little over two hundred pages, but it certainly can be entertaining throughout the course of its story. This is nonfiction, as everything in the book really happened. The focus is Stéphane, who is a French art thief. Each of the chapters focuses on a different kind of heist throughout his career as a thief. He began in 1995, and continued all the way up until 2001 stealing from museums across from Europe. Finkel uses psychologists and outsiders to provide commentary about what might have motivated him to do what he did. Stéphane didn’t really plan these major heists. He brought his girlfriend along with him to many, then he just kind of wandered around the museums and did things spontaneously. For some reason, he also never did this for profit. As we learn throughout the chapters, Stéphane was very passionate about art. He never planned on selling the work he stole, and even kept them in his homes. His mother thought he had bought everything legitimately, so she never questioned why her son had all of these pieces of art in a dark room. A lot of the pieces he stole were also not that big, and if they were paintings, he would often cut through the frames in order to get access to the painting. He never targeted the bigger, more popular museums because the smaller ones had less security, ultimately allowing him to get away with it. Eventually, though, everyone gets caught with doing such acts, and Stéphane was one of those. Some of the artwork had a tragic ending because of this—when he was in prison, his mother, having discovered what exactly her son had done, decided to take matters into her own hands. And that was how the world lost some of its most valuable pieces of art to the garbage disposal. *** ## Overall Thoughts I knew nothing about this story going into it, but I’m glad I listened to it as an audiobook. It definitely fit within podcast vibes throughout the course of my listen/read. I don’t think this is a book I would be returning too, though. I enjoyed it in the moment and after reading it, but it didn’t really hold a value when it comes to rereading for me. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recommend the book: I would if you’re into these kinds of stories. It was quite entertaining, but I don’t know if I would return to it. Go read it if you’re interested\! Follow me below on Instagram and Goodreads for more. [![An incredible two months. Next stop: a poetry Fulbright for a year in Kolkata, India as the first creative writing Fulbright there in over 10 years 🇮🇳 (Last two creative writing Fulbrights to India won Pulitzers and are bestselling authors...am I ]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-kBbaYyXkw/) [![Jeju-do (제주도) is one of those places that reminds you of how stunning the world is \[7.12.2024 부터 7.14.2024 까지\]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f794501b7153b29e7cd7/1721033601522-554E76HR01JUHDWZBJ1I/image-asset.jpeg)![Jeju-do (제주도) is one of those places that reminds you of how stunning the world is \[7.12.2024 부터 7.14.2024 까지\]]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9bvAaxywxz/) [![for six years, I've told myself I'd come back to Korea; I always thought I'd cry returning, but there's been nothing but joy. have already taken 500+ pictures on my little camera, so here's to more adventures in the next seven weeks 🫶✨️🥂]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8rY6zDSlSc/) [![My last day on campus was yesterday, so see ya, Towson. Leaving Baltimore yet again for grand new adventures in 🇰🇷 + 🇮🇳 for the next year and a half (with some potential side quests in 🇳🇵+ 🇧🇹)! Will be forever grateful for what graduate sch]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6-G2mkMwbw/) [![archives from my SD card: Smithsonian, Malaysia, Philadelphia]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6SeU3Msq9W/) [![march diaries: ✅️ wandered Philly, NYC, and DC for a bit ✅️ accidentally became a full time blogger \& business owner ✅️ got a second cls; see u (maybe) in busan 🇰🇷 ✅️ first master's thesis draft: done energy levels low but still reading, w]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C5KQPcwMOqo/) [![excited to have a new poem in passages north with this incredible lineup of writers \& artists ✨️]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C3TSwZTPIsH/) [![some small moments 🍃]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C2vz_3eMId-/) [![when in malaysia]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C2MAp6FvoQP/) [![past few days in malaysia 🇲🇾]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C117q-fvyrU/) [![so excited that my copy of salt hill 50 arrived! eternally grateful to the salt hill staff (@salthilljournal), and to the incredible Mona Awad (@misss\_read) for selecting my little flash piece as runner up for the 2022 Arthur Flowers Flash Fiction Pr]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C07MgsjuP9c/) [![once upon a time in los angeles]()](https://www.instagram.com/p/C0c7CYWMfV9/) [Book Review](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/tag/Book+Review)[Nonfiction](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/tag/Nonfiction) [ Ashley Hajimirsadeghi](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog?author=5ea1f78f2222f555855abd67) [Previous Previous One False Move (1992)](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/one-false-move) [Next Next Much Ado About Nothing (1993)](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog/much-ado-about-nothing-1993) [SUPPORT MY WORK HERE THROUGH KO-FI](https://ko-fi.com/ashleyhajimirsadeghi) ### [Privacy Policy](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/privacy-policy) ### [Blog](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/blog) ### [Writing & Books](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/full-publications-1) ### [About](https://www.ashleyhajimirsadeghi.com/home) ***

 *The Art Thief* by Michael Finkel (2023). Published by Knopf. ## Over the course of six years, Stéphane Breitwieser stole over two hundred works of art from European art museums. This is a pretty brief book, as it clocks in at a little over two hundred pages, but it certainly can be entertaining throughout the course of its story. This is nonfiction, as everything in the book really happened. The focus is Stéphane, who is a French art thief. Each of the chapters focuses on a different kind of heist throughout his career as a thief. He began in 1995, and continued all the way up until 2001 stealing from museums across from Europe. Finkel uses psychologists and outsiders to provide commentary about what might have motivated him to do what he did. Stéphane didn’t really plan these major heists. He brought his girlfriend along with him to many, then he just kind of wandered around the museums and did things spontaneously. For some reason, he also never did this for profit. As we learn throughout the chapters, Stéphane was very passionate about art. He never planned on selling the work he stole, and even kept them in his homes. His mother thought he had bought everything legitimately, so she never questioned why her son had all of these pieces of art in a dark room. A lot of the pieces he stole were also not that big, and if they were paintings, he would often cut through the frames in order to get access to the painting. He never targeted the bigger, more popular museums because the smaller ones had less security, ultimately allowing him to get away with it. Eventually, though, everyone gets caught with doing such acts, and Stéphane was one of those. Some of the artwork had a tragic ending because of this—when he was in prison, his mother, having discovered what exactly her son had done, decided to take matters into her own hands. And that was how the world lost some of its most valuable pieces of art to the garbage disposal.