Reading order#
| # |
Title |
Published |
Author |
Buy on Amazon |
| 1 |
Portrait of a Thief |
2022 |
Grace D. Li |
Buy |
Portrait of a Thief (2022) is Grace D. Li’s debut and sole published novel so far. The book was praised for combining the pacing and fun of a heist story with thoughtful exploration of cultural identity and the politics of art repatriation.
The novel’s five protagonists are all accomplished Chinese American college students, each with a different skill that makes the heist possible. Li uses their backgrounds and motivations to explore what it means to be caught between two cultures and how reclaiming stolen art becomes a way of reclaiming identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Grace D. Li Standalone Novels series?
There are one books in the Grace D. Li Standalone Novels series, published in 2022.
What is the first book in the Grace D. Li Standalone Novels series?
The first book in the Grace D. Li Standalone Novels series is Portrait of a Thief, published in 2022.
Is Portrait of a Thief based on real events?
The novel is fiction, but it draws on real-world debates about the return of looted Chinese artifacts held in Western museums. Several major institutions have faced pressure to repatriate objects taken during colonial-era conflicts, and the book uses that backdrop for its heist plot.