Many Western cultural institutions are grappling with history’s legacy. Over the centuries, art has been acquired through war, conquest, colonialism, even gifts. History is told by the victors but now history is being challenged. How complicit are museums in the acquisition of stolen or looted art?
Will Chen, Irene, Daniel, Lily and Alex, are high-achieving Chinese Americans. In their early 20s, on the cusp of glittering careers, all struggle with their dual identities, feeling neither fully American nor fully Chinese.
Will is a Harvard senior, studying art. Working part time at the Sackler Museum, he witnesses a daring robbery of priceless Chinese art.
A mysterious company, China Poly, makes contact. Soon Will and his friends are in a Beijing penthouse, where China’s youngest billionaire makes them an impossible and illegal offer: steal back five bronze zodiac heads looted from Beijing’s Summer Palace 200 years ago. The reward? $50 million. And a chance to make history.
This book blends a daring art heist with a critique of imperialism and power. The heist elements are fun, if slightly far-fetched, while the characters’ reflections on the diaspora and their experience as children of immigrants are rich and nuanced. A fascinating and timely read.
Reviewed by Melinda Woledge
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace D Li grew up in Pearland, Texas, and is a graduate of Duke University, where she studied biology and creative writing. Her debut novel, Portrait of a Thief, was an instant New York Times bestseller, a #1 international bestseller, and is also in development at Netflix. She currently attends medical school at Stanford University.
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