Post #3

This weeks reading set the full scene for what seems to be the rest of the book. Entertainment is minimal... It is Benjamin, Tom and Ren living in this old wrecked apartment building. It starts as winter is setting in. Ben and Tom bring back a bunch of jewelry and teeth; they went grave digging. They polish and sell the items. Right before this, The two pawned off "The Lives of the Saints" that Ren had been given at the orphanage. Ren stole another book, "Deerslayer" to get even. This surprised me because he is a devout catholic, it would seem he is letting that go? However, now at the table, Ben uncovers the book, "What else did you take?" (75), and Ren hands over the ring he had already stolen. Ben and Tom are overjoyed at the boy's skill and willingness to steal for this is how the two live. The lifestyle really doesn't lay a storyline that is worth my time to read but maybe this will get better.

The sheep shaving festival is being held in town. Benjamin is a wanted man and is afraid he'll be recognized. Tom and Ben use Ren to sell their product; by changing the label it is now a behavior medicine. Ren decks a little kid and gets beat up. Tom scoops him up and rants about how terrible Ren is. Benjamin pops out and sells Tom a bottle of the behavior medicine for 5 bucks, which is rediculous for the time. Ben then sells the whole case, however, he gets recognized. They're chased out of town by gunshots. Ren, is left laying in the back of the wagon where Tom threw him, "He's high as a kite" (85). The medicine is a fake, it makes one high, but they change the name so they can sell it. This is just one of the many plots to make money that dominates this book. I still don't see any relevence of the title; "Good Theif..?" How is he good? I guess one must read to know...

Blog Post # 2

The story finally gets going this week. A strange man in a long sweeping coat and glasses comes to the orphanage. "His hands were thin and white. Definitly not a farmer" (35). This strange man is looking for something as he looks through the boys. He comes to Ren. The stump of Ren's arm is what he was looking for! He sweeps Ren up, who then vomits all over. Benjamin Nab is the man's name; Ren's new "father." He sweeps the Father with tales of a terrible murder by Indians that took their parents life. Nab poses as Ren's brother for this tale. Ren, and us readers, are swept up and believe the tale. What else have we to go on?

Next on the walk down the road away from place of Ren's life, the orphanage, to where ever it is they're going; which is no particular place. Ren learns of his parents real death. His mothers brother was overprotective and killed her and her lover (Ren's dad) when he found her child; Ren. That's also why Ren's arm is cut off at the wrist. Once again we believe this tale. This takes place in the barn of an old farming couple, the very couple that adopted William last week. Nab had tricked them into letting them stay in the barn.

The next morning Ren wakes up to Nab steeling the horse and wagon! "This deserved at least 3 or 4 times as many Hell Maries as steeling food" (51). He preys to god that he will be spared the incoming wrath. Nab lets his opinions of the worthlessness of religion be known and Ren doesn't know what to think. "We are borrowing, with good intent" (49). We have met the good theif.

Think I'll label these so I can keep track- #1

For third quarter (OMG ITS THRID QUARTER) I chose to read "The Good Theif" by Hannah Tinti. So far the book is to my liking; very vivid description but not overdone. The beginning 10 pages are mostly backround as one might think a book should start. The story begins in an orphanage. The place is run by catholics who own an old but profitable vineyard. The orphanage is classic; dirty and discusting, harsh punishment, and discusting crap for meals. Only boys take their places here. "About every month nurses from the hospital a long ways away come and take the girls" (4). The children get left in terrible ways. They're all, obviously, complete rejects, "the second was left in a bucket by the well, the third was left in a basket by the outhouse" (6). Adopters come once in a while. A man shows up at the orphanage. He sets his elegant horse and leaves the boys in wonder. His face is hidden thus far. The ritual takes place and the boys line up in front of the Saint Anthony statue in the middle of the yard. The man then walks up and down the line of boys and choses his pick.

Already the book has surprised me a number of times. In the book, when twins are born, the second is drowned because it is unlucky. I'm wondering what time period this is exactly because that is pretty cruel punishment for any day even close to now. Also, the main character Ren has only one hand. For being the main character, thats quite the set back. Ren ends up unadopted by the first man who shows up. What of the unadopted boys? "What happens to the ones who stay? They get conscripted into the army. Not an easy life. We do not question the will of god." The man readies to leave, "I do..." Riding off I can't help but wonder what this is foreshadowing. Surely something will happen with that man.