Portrait of a Thief

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In this lush, lyrical heist novel inspired by true events, the narrative explores the complexities of diaspora, the colonization of art, and the Chinese American identity. Museums across the Western world showcase art looted through conquest and colonialism, and Will Chen, a Harvard senior, plans to reclaim these treasures. As a perfect student and the embodiment of his parents' American Dream, Will is approached by a mysterious Chinese benefactor with an illegal job offer: to steal back five priceless Chinese sculptures taken from Beijing centuries ago. To execute this ambitious heist, Will assembles a diverse crew, each representing classic heist archetypes. Irene Chen, a con artist and public policy major at Duke, has a knack for persuasion. Daniel Liang, a pre-med student, is a skilled thief with steady hands. Lily Wu, an engineering major, serves as the getaway driver with a passion for racing. Alex Huang, a former MIT student, is the tech-savvy hacker. Each crew member grapples with their own ties to China and their identities as Chinese Americans. They unite under Will's leadership, driven by the promise of fifty million dollars and the chance to make history. However, failure could mean losing everything they aspire to and another setback in reclaiming what colonialism has taken.