The day they stole the Mona Lisa

by Seymour Reit

Former library copy. Sticker on back and spine, otherwise good condition. No marks or rips. Ships in 1-2 days.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

254 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Seymour Victory Reit was the author of over 80 children's books as well as several works for adults. Reit was the creator, with cartoonist Joe Oriolo, of the character Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Reviews

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical facts about 4 guys (3 actually doing the theft), one the mastermind, stealing The Mona Lisa portrait from the Louvre, in Paris in 1911.

The stealing of the painting was to get the news in all the papers. The painting was hidden in the bottom of a trunk in a shabby apartment near the Louvre. The money making part was where 6 carefully crafted forgeries were sold instead. Each buyer thought they had the real one.

After 2 years the guy hiding the painting got tired of waiting for word on what was to happen to the real painting. He tried to sell it and that led to him being arrested and the painting being returned to the Louvre. 2013.

The way it was stolen was the fascinating part. Of course now there painting is in a completely controlled security tight room with bulletproof glass, etc. (According to this book from 1981.)

The last part of the book got a bit boring as the writer started guessing the past of the painting making up most of the “facts”.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since I knew nothing about this, I found the rendition of the theft itself to be quite entertaining. When it got to Mr.Reit's personal reconstruction of the event, I found it less entertaining and less believable. I think the most astonishing things about this book is Mr. Reit's obsession with the Mona Lisa- and his indefatigable search for everything to be known about the painting. I remember waiting in line to see her so many years ago in the Louvre, because that is what you were supposed to do I also remember being underwhelmed by both the small size of the painting and by the pseudo-smile, which was supposed to enchant me - and didn't. Ah, well, I have never thought of myself as a great connoiseur of art.

[Clioidae · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved the story being told it should be noted that this does not ring like the work of a journalist or an historian, but instead is rife with opinion and humor. While it does make good story-telling, I found myself wondering where these facts came from, and offended by the judgment the author puts on the "main character" without, it seems, the facts to base it on. I am sad to say there are probably other better books on the theft of the Mona Lisa.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book recounting the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911. It is quite a fascinating story, and goes into detail about the forgeries created to make the buyers think they had the real deal. A great read! I would highly recommend.

[John Bobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read about how the Mona Lisa was stolen and missing from 1911 to 1914. Famous screen writer William Goldman recommends it to readers in his book "Which Lie Did I Tell? More Adventures in the Screen Trade." Does not disappoint. Reads like a good heist thriller.

[E.J. Cullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeps your attention, which these days (by comparison) is enough.