Theft by Peter Carey

 

Five years ago, Michael Boone was an up-and-coming artist, a painter whose work sold as fast as he could produce it.  But then came a divorce and all his work became marital assets and when he tried to get them back, he was arrested and eventually imprisoned.  Now released, his work has gone out of style and he is living out in the country in the house of an ex-patron with his brother Hugh.

Hugh has mental issues.  A giant of a man, who needs to be physically located in any geographical area, he has been the bane of Michael's life, scaring off friends and lovers and constantly getting into trouble in a world that he can't quite fit into.  But under the irritation, it's evident that Michael loves Hugh and the two are intertwined for life.

Into their lives, out of a storm, comes Marlene.  She is the daughter-in-law of a famous artist and her husband the only person who can validate his work.  Unknown to Michael, his neighbor has a Liebowitz, in fact the piece that inspired Michael as a child to become an artist.  When the piece is stolen, his neighbor believes that Michael or Hugh are responsible although they are not.  

Michael and Marlene begin a love affair and it takes them from the country to Sydney and eventually New York.  Michael has been painting and has completed a series that he believes is his best work.  Marlene gets him an exhibition and it sells out.  Michael believes he is headed back to the top but is he instead a dupe of Marlene who has plans for a big score?

Peter Carey is an Australian author who has won the Booker Prize twice.  I've read quite a few of his novels and enjoyed them all.  His writing style is conversational and the reader feels as if they are sitting and listening to a tale told by a master.  The relationship between Michael and Hugh and Michael and Marlene are fascinating and the ending is unexpected.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.