The Thief

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the first week of QT Reflections, reprobates! If you’re just joining us, catch up HERE.

Also, we are still in need of volunteers to help lead the Thick as Thieves re-read. I need at least two people to help checkers65477 and I out. The deadline to sign up is February 3rd. Links to previous re-reads are available below if you need some good examples, and please remember that your opening post doesn’t have to be too terribly complicated or long. Just a few opening talking points, if that’s all you want to do, is great.



First published on October 1st, 1996 (the same year Princess Diana divorced the Prince of Wales, and the Nintendo 64 was released in Japan), the since named Queen’s Thief series has been stealing our hearts ever since.

The Thief was a runner up in the 1997 Newberry Medal of Honor, (The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg took home the prize) and was on several best book lists in 1997. The Thief is dedicated to Megan Whalen Turner’s childhood best friend, Sandy Passarelli.

Megan was inspired to write The Thief after a trip she took to Greece. She wrote the book while living in California, where the olive trees there reminded her of Greece.

The best ironically good nutshell summary of this book has always been, in my opinion, the now deleted Wiki summary: "The journey isn't dangerous, and the travelers get on each other's nerves."

The Thief will be celebrating its 23rd birthday this October.


The ugly Hephestia Cover. I mean seriously… this is the first cover this book was released with. Is that suppose to be Hephestia or Jesus?


I don’t think this one has a nickname?


Hamiathes's Gift is the size of a donut cover.


The new kid on the block.

2010 Re-read
Part One
Part Two

2016 “Thief Month” Re-read
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

Please, answer the questions in the comments below in order to participate. Have fun!

(1)Favorite line/scene?
(2)Favorite plot twist?
(3)Favorite fanart/fanfic for this book?
(4)How did this book affect you and your life?
(5)When did you first read this particular book?
(6)What were your first impressions and did your opinions change over the years?
(7)Favorite cover/edition of this book?
(8)Did you ever read this book in a language other than English?
(9)Do you own multiple copies of this book? If so, which editions?
(10) Have you ever convinced family/friends/co-workers to read this book?
(11) Any fun stories about sharing this book?
(12) Have you lent out copies that never got returned?
(13) Have you ever listened to the audio book? Which version?
(14) What's your favorite Sounis post about this book?
(15) Any fond memories of discussing this book on Sounis?
(16) If you could choose only one word to describe this book, what word would that be?*

*I recommend you copy/paste the questions into your comment and answer them there, but if you have trouble with that, I’ve also elected to give them numbers.

Comments

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

(1)Favorite line/scene?

"You're telling me, we're out here chasing something from a fairy tale?" sticks with me, as I love Gen hamming it up that he doesn't know exactly what they are out there chasing.

Favorite scene is probably when Gen gives the Gift to Eddis. I remember being like, you're telling me he's had that the whole time, and he was a double agent this whole time?

(2)Favorite plot twist?

The gods being real, and Gen's reaction. OMG, those aren't statutes!!!

(3)Favorite fanart/fanfic for this book?

The King's Seal (https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4937373/1/King-s-Seal) by KrisEleven

For fanart, this one. (https://www.deviantart.com/deisi/art/Quick-Gen-Interlude-50515958) and this one. (https://www.deviantart.com/tweedvest/art/Hamiathe-s-gift-156972771)

(4)How did this book affect you and your life?

I stopped trusting books! XD No, I developed a need for books to be far smarter than they actually are. I made the mistake of thinking TT just had some problems in the writing, and missed the hints because of that. Now, when I'm reading a book or watching a show that has problems, I'm waiting for a big twist that fixes everything. I'm disappointed most of the time...

(5)When did you first read this particular book?

2007ish... I want to say. It was shortly after KoA came out, so I'd seen the books on the shelf at stores. I didn't read it though, till I picked up the ugly Hephestia cover from the library not realizing it was the same series.

(6)What were your first impressions and did your opinions change over the years?

I kind of covered this above. My first impressions of TT was that it was a really fun book with great characters, but had some inconsistency in the writing. I was wrong about that, and realized this when I got to the end.

I decided that the book was PERFECT once I'd finished it, but didn't realize how obvious Gen's identity actually was until I'd re-read it several times. I have a copy with all the hints highlighted. There are a lot of highlights...

(7)Favorite cover/edition of this book?

The Japanese cover (http://eugenides.wikia.com/wiki/File:Thief_-_japanese.PNG) is my favorite.

(8)Did you ever read this book in a language other than English?

Only in English, though I'd like to get good enough at Japanese to read it in that.

(9)Do you own multiple copies of this book? If so, which editions?

I have four copies of TT. The original paperback, the 2005 donut one, the ebook, and the new 2017 edition.

(10) Have you ever convinced family/friends/co-workers to read this book?

I did try giving it to my sister, who had already read it! XD Of course the real questions there was, why had she never told me to read it?

I have recommended it to co-workers, but I'm not sure if they ever read it. I've worked for some seasonal businesses, so I would often only be working with someone for a few months.

I did ask my old library director to get it for the library, which she did actually do. I don't know if she ever read TT herself, but the copy at my library is starting to look well read.

(11) Any fun stories about sharing this book?

Does moving them to more noticeable shelves at the bookstore count? XD

Part Two

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

(12) Have you lent out copies that never got returned?

I haven't ever lent out my copies... No one touches my books!

(13) Have you ever listened to the audio book? Which version?

So, I actually listened to the audiobook for TT on a cassette player... Yes, cassette tapes I'd gotten from the library. This was like 2008, so that's really sad. My old cassette player didn't work that well anymore, so Jeff Woodman's voice kept slowing down, which was really funny. I think that was the last time I ever used that tape player.

I have really fond memories of listening to the books when I was in high school. I also picked up Woodman's pronunciation of all the names.

I have bought the new audio books, but haven't had the chance to listen to them yet, except for the TaT one. I really want to get to them, but they may have to wait till this summer.

(14) What's your favorite Sounis post about this book?

Always wear underwear. :) (https://sounis.livejournal.com/38116.html)

(15) Any fond memories of discussing this book on Sounis?

During the re-reads, which I linked to above.

The fourth grader who thought Gen was hot (https://sounis.livejournal.com/521985.html) also comes to mind. XD

(16) If you could choose only one word to describe this book, what word would that be?

SNEAKY!

[canonisrelative.livejournal.com]

(2)Favorite plot twist?

The gods being real, and Gen's reaction. OMG, those aren't statutes!!!


This literally gives me goosebumps every. single. time. No matter how many times I've read it, it's like my brain does me a favor and fuzzes out the details of how exactly that scene the last night in the maze goes, and I'm on tenterhooks the whole time and then... "OMG those aren't statues!!!"

[melita66.livejournal.com]

(1)Favorite line/scene?

Tough one. Probably when Gen pulls out Hamiathes's gift and hands it to his Queen.

(2)Favorite plot twist?

Of course, the reveal, but do you mean the thing that is so different in retrospect? The scene where the Magus "hires" Gen.

(3)Favorite fanart/fanfic for this book?

I've read some fanfic; nothing that stuck related to this book.

(4)How did this book affect you and your life?

Yet another series to add onto the long-awaited list.

(5)When did you first read this particular book?

I read it after QoA which I read soon after it was released so sometime
in 2000.

(6)What were your first impressions and did your opinions change over the years?

Even having QoA as spoilers, I still didn't pick up on all the hints and why they were important until the end. It reads a little young compared to QoA.

(7)Favorite cover/edition of this book?

Still the donut, which is the version I first read (I think!).

(8)Did you ever read this book in a language other than English?

Nope.

(9)Do you own multiple copies of this book? If so, which editions?

Almost every American edition? And multiple copies of some.

(10) Have you ever convinced family/friends/co-workers to read this book?

Yes!

(11) Any fun stories about sharing this book?

No. I recommended a British blogger should read it. She did and was eh. Another commenter and I have suggested she go on and read QoA but so far no go.

(12) Have you lent out copies that never got returned?

No.

(13) Have you ever listened to the audio book? Which version?

No. My life isn't really set up to make listening to audiobooks easy.

(14) What's your favorite Sounis post about this book?

No idea.
(15) Any fond memories of discussing this book on Sounis?

No.

(16) If you could choose only one word to describe this book, what word would that be?*

Wonderful.

[rouan1.livejournal.com]

1)Favorite line/scene?
When Gen pulls out Hamiathes's Gift from under his hair to give to his queen and the Magus says "Gen, you viper"
(2)Favorite plot twist?
When Gen realizes the gods in the temple are real and alive
(3)Favorite fanart/fanfic for this book?
N/A
(4)How did this book affect you and your life?
I knew I had found an author (and book(s) ) I would read over and over again and still love them.
(5)When did you first read this particular book?
Dec of 1997 (I went back through my book list) , it was the audiobook narrated by Jeff Woodman
(6)What were your first impressions and did your opinions change over the years?
I loved it right off the bat and I still do. If anything I am more impressed with MWT's sneakiness. lol
(7)Favorite cover/edition of this book?
The one with Hamiathes's Gift
(8)Did you ever read this book in a language other than English?
No
(9)Do you own multiple copies of this book? If so, which editions?
Oh, yes, all of the English language ones, I think, including the paperbacks and e-book
(10) Have you ever convinced family/friends/co-workers to read this book?
Two of my sisters, that I am aware of, who actually read them, and maybe a couple of friends
(11) Any fun stories about sharing this book?
Not off the top of my head
(12) Have you lent out copies that never got returned?
No, I don't lend favorite books
(13) Have you ever listened to the audio book? Which version?
I prefer the Jeff Woodman version. His Gen sounds young enough and The Magus sounds appropriately sophisticated and intelligent
(14) What's your favorite Sounis post about this book?
I don't have one, there are so many good ones
(15) Any fond memories of discussing this book on Sounis?
(16) If you could choose only one word to describe this book, what word would that be?
Amazing! MWT fooled me the entire way through the book. I had to go back through and read it again to see what I had missed the first time around

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

(1)Favorite line/scene?
Line: I can't pick, but I love all of the discussions between Gen and the Magus, and all of the foreshadowy bits.
Scene: Gen in the maze. It's so exciting, and I love watching him work, learning about his tools and tricks. I also appreciate how it takes him the full amount of time to figure it out. I miss being that close to Gen's POV.

(2)Favorite plot twist?
Don't know if this counts as a twist, but the part where Gen realizes the doors in the maze are traps and only have key holes on one side always gets my heart racing.

(3)Favorite fanart/fanfic for this book?
I can't track them all down, but here's one:
https://emilybeemartin.tumblr.com/post/172864901051/queens-thief-appreciation-week-day-5-prompt

(4)How did this book affect you and your life?
It prompted me to join my first ever online fandom. :) And that has impacted my life in too many ways to count. I've made so many friends, memories, and new book discoveries through Sounis. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's been extremely formative.

(5)When did you first read this particular book?
Sometime after KoA came out. So... 2006-07-ish? I was still a teenager!

(6)What were your first impressions and did your opinions change over the years?
I wish I could go back and review my first experience of reading this book, because those memories have faded, I'm afraid. I just remember running to the library to get QoA and KoA. I was clearly "hooked." ;)

(7)Favorite cover/edition of this book?
The donut cover. I've heard it (mildly) criticized for a number of reasons, but I still love it, and the overall design of that cover set. I still wish we'd gotten a matching cover for TaT.

(8)Did you ever read this book in a language other than English?
No, though I have a copy of the Japanese edition that is fun to look at.

(9)Do you own multiple copies of this book? If so, which editions?
At least one each of all four listed above, as well as the Japanese one. The exact number remains in flux, as I tend to give them away and pick them up at book sales whenever I can.

(10) Have you ever convinced family/friends/co-workers to read this book?
I don't know the exact number, but I'd say it's upwards of 20 people, not counting all the friends-of-friends and younger siblings of friends...

(11) Any fun stories about sharing this book?
Meeting MWT was fun!

(12) Have you lent out copies that never got returned?
Oh yes. I don't mind though. I like being a book fairy. "Be the person you needed when you were younger," and all that.

(13) Have you ever listened to the audio book? Which version?
No. Part of me wants to, while the other part wants to go on hearing it in my head the way I always have.

(14) What's your favorite Sounis post about this book?
I honestly can't pick, and I'm not going to spend 5 hours trying.

(15) Any fond memories of discussing this book on Sounis?
So many. <3

(16) If you could choose only one word to describe this book, what word would that be?
Mmm, I'm gonna go with Formative. (see question #4)

Thanks for organizing this, ninedaysasqueen!

[canonisrelative.livejournal.com]

I miss being that close to Gen's POV.

Same! But it also makes reading TT feel like such a privilege...like we get to see/know a Gen that no one else does.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

(1)Favorite line/scene?
Although I adore the parts where Gen picks at the Magus (and everyone, really) I guess my favorite is where Gen goes after the Magus when he's whipped with the riding crop. It's just such a true look at Gen's personality and gives you a clue that he's capable of just about anything.

(2)Favorite plot twist?
Well, the Big Twist, of course. You know, the one that makes you immediately start rereading to see all the clues you missed. Megan once said she thought the Newbery Honor may have been, in part, because the book was published so close to Newbery time that reviewers and committee members read TT without being spoiled as to what happens in the end and so could experience that shock.

(3)Favorite fanart/fanfic for this book?
My icon is of some of the art from the Japanese version of the book. Not true fanart but I like it very much.

(4)How did this book affect you and your life?
I'll talk more about this when we get to our discussion of QoA.

(5)When did you first read this particular book?
I read it in either 2005 or 2006, just after reading QoA. And it was extremely disconcerting to me, to read the first person TT after third person QoA. I went back and reread QoA, with Gen's voice in my head, which gave me so much more insight into his character and the things he did in QoA.

(6)What were your first impressions and did your opinions change over the years?
First impression was that it was much more a middle grade book than QoA. My respect for it has remained high, though, because of the way Megan hides all those clues in there that makes you go back and smack yourself in the head for missing them.

(7)Favorite cover/edition of this book?
I think maybe the newest cover is the prettiest but I love all the Vince Natale covers, too.

(8)Did you ever read this book in a language other than English? Nope. I've ogled the drawings in the Japanese versions, though.

(9)Do you own multiple copies of this book? If so, which editions?
OMG, I'm embarrassed at all the different copies I have.

(10) Have you ever convinced family/friends/co-workers to read this book?
Oh, yes! My daughter, who has spread the love, too. I've given copies to my nieces, although I don't know if they ever read it. I've gotten dozens and dozens of kids at my school library to read it. And I just gave a copy, at Christmas, to a family member's 15-year-old brother.

(12) Have you lent out copies that never got returned? Nope, I still have my (embarrassed cough) # of copies.

(13) Have you ever listened to the audio book? Which version? I listened to the Jeff Woodman audio book and liked it.

(14) What's your favorite Sounis post about this book?
Oh, no question there! The discussion about Gen's underwear! Because, you know, in TT when he strips down to wash under the pump there's no mention of any. It resulted in Megan, when writing to us for the first time, adding at the end, "You will have to continue to ruminate on Gen's underwear. I've only gotten as far as describing his nightshirt."

And then it led to this delightful discussion, by Rowana and Willow. Fun times! https://sounis.livejournal.com/38116.html

(15) Any fond memories of discussing this book on Sounis?
I *believe* there may have been a somewhat naughty discussion about the Magus and his riding crop and that's all I'm going to say about that.

(16) If you could choose only one word to describe this book, what word would that be? Oh, I'm terrible at that. Let's just say that I can't think of only one.

A Thief-postor!

[(Anonymous)]

This thread reminds me to share something I came across recently, which I'm sure you will all find as hilarious as I did. Check out this cover:

The Thief (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VR2EH5E/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4)

IT'S THE SAME FONT. AND FROM THE SAME PUBLISHER TOO. I didn't even realize it was a different author at first, and I nearly had a heart attack.

Would Gen be into plaid? I wonder...

- RJ, too lazy to sign in (also I forgot my LJ password)

[shadowgirlvg.livejournal.com]

I'm interested in helping to lead the TaT read-along. What exactly would that involve?

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Hi, shadowgirl! Sorry about the late reply. First week of the semester and all that... :)

Leading a discussion for a re-read is pretty straight forward. Essentially, I will assign you a section of the book, and you will post at the beginning of the week we are reading that section.

What you post can be is pretty flexible. Some people prefer to write an essay on their section, others just come up with some key talking points to go over. The links for the 2010 and 2016 re-reads in my post above have some great examples. All I ask is that you include some essential information in your post--the page numbers and what we're reading next week, for example.

In summary, you're responsible for starting discussions of the section we're reading that week, and preferable fostering it by replying to comments. Replying to comments is preferred but not required.

If you'd like to go ahead and sign up, please email me at ninedaysaqueenmod@gmail.com or send me a private message. If you use private messaging just make sure your friends locks are turned off and that you're being notified by email when you receive a message. If you don't know how to do that, I can link you to instructions.

All you need to include in your message is your LJ username, which section you'd prefer, and if there are any sections you cannot take. A list of sections and what dates they're running is HERE (https://sounis.livejournal.com/769223.html). After February 3rd, I will email you on what your section will be and any other instructions. I hope you join us! :)

[whataliethatwas.livejournal.com]

(1)Favorite line/scene?
"Gen, you viper."

I am a sucker for a well-done 'gotcha' in a book as the many writing tropes in storytelling mean many stories can be transparent right form the get-go and I love books that can surprise me or are unexpected. This line is one reason The Thief remains my favorite of the series, even though the later books are deeper and more subtle as Megan continued to hone her skills and writing voice.

This is the moment the story came together for me and all the niggling little 'hey, notice me' parts of the story that I'd been happy to blithely push on by in my quest to find out what happened next suddenly snapped into place. I'd never experienced anything quite like that in a book before and this scene is immensely satisfying to me every time I re-read the book.

(2)Favorite plot twist?
I think I just love that there are many in the book but you don't fully see them or realize their significance until the end. There are many tiny adjustments to your perspective of Gen and the overall story as characters, skills, and knowledge are revealed, but it's at the end that it's suddenly as though someone's switched on a light or given you a different pair of glasses and everything you've been looking at appears different.

(4)How did this book affect you and your life?
Quite a bit, actually. I was pen pals with another teen, and he recommended this book he'd read to me. We enjoyed sharing favorites in our letters, so I read the book for his sake. This probably colored my perspective a bit but I felt like it helped me get to know my new friend a little better and I also saw a lot of this friend in Eugenides (more the type of humor, intelligence, ability to plan outrageous but successful things, etc. than the vanity and drama). He reminds me more of Costis now as he's grown, but this book still has a lot of personal memories associated with it for me as well as the sheer good fun of reading it for its own sake.

We're married now, and this series has been a part of our friendship and family we've recommended it to for many years.

(5)When did you first read this particular book?
I don't remember for certain, but it has to be around 1998-1999 because it was at least a year before QoA was published.

(6)What were your first impressions and did your opinions change over the years?
I enjoyed the book and enjoyed the big surprise, but while I found Eugenides and engaging rascal, I had some reservations about his less sterling qualities being a more serious teen at the time.

As I matured into a better understanding of some of the bigger issues (political, relationship, emotional, etc.) and got to read the later books as they came out and revealed so much more of Gen's character, I really began to love and appreciate the series so much more and while I feel much safer not having him nearby, I thoroughly enjoy every page of the series.

(7)Favorite cover/edition of this book?
The Thief with no nickname is the book we had for years before purchasing the donut-cover edition (incidentally, I think donut covers really need to become a thing), so I think it my favorite becuase it's familiar and is more literally the book I knew and loved.

(8)Did you ever read this book in a language other than English?

(9)Do you own multiple copies of this book? If so, which editions?
We currently own the donut-cover series editions, but I think we've had the ugly cover and the no-nickname version before gifting them to friends with our recommendation.


(10) Have you ever convinced family/friends/co-workers to read this book?
Yes - more my spouse than myself, but we have a sibling who aspires to be a writer, and if that does happen, MWT will be to her what DWJ is to Megan.

(11) Any fun stories about sharing this book?
Also not me, but in college my husband gifted copies to all his friends with his favorite lines highlighted and snarky comments filling the margins.

(16) If you could choose only one word to describe this book, what word would that be?*

Captivating

I thought captivare (to take, capture) was cheating.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

We're married now, and this series has been a part of our friendship and family we've recommended it to for many years.

Wait, you married your teen penpal? And now he's your Costis-husband? How wonderful!

[whataliethatwas.livejournal.com]

Ha, yes I did. He says he relates more to Costis as an adult, and I agree, but were he to live in a mildly steampunk Greek/Rome/Scotland near Rome/Turkey/Ottoman Empire and there was an opportunity to make a name for himself stealing a possibly mythical item of king-making significance...

I might only raise one eyebrow if it surprisingly went missing.