4.5*
This novel is difficult to describe. There’s no central protagonist. The setting is Tanzanian. Gurnah relates the story of various characters and their relationships, positive and negative. Beautifully written.

I was glad I read an interview with Gurnah in which he said he was more interested in intellectual engagement than emotional, because it helped me set my expectations, even though that isn't necessarily my own taste. Theft is engaging without ever grabbing for your heartstrings, a story of many lives viewed at a distance with a build toward a climax that is both quiet and inevitable.

Unfortunately this book didn’t keep my attention and I was able to get 25% in before I did not finish. Maybe I will do some immersive reading with this one and return at a later date!

I have really enjoyed the slate of books about the early 21st century that have come out in the last few years and Theft is an excellent story about the changing times in Tanzania. Following three characters, Karim, Fauzia, and Badar. Theft touches on a lot of topics such as identity, belonging, and the complicated state of post-colonialism. The three characters change each other's lives in big ways but Theft is a quiet story. Most of the plot and engagement take place in the last third of the book, and some readers may find the earlier 2/3 a drag. I thought this was an interesting and thoughtful story and it remained with me long after I was done.

The story of three people who are now adults who we meet when they are younger. Karim is smart and ambitious, Fauzia dreams of a different life, and Badar is poor with little control over his future. The back stories take a while, but when we get to present day, the book becomes very compelling. This is the first book I've read by an author from Tanzania. It inspired me to learn more about the country.

The cultural elements, the tone, and the characters here were very well done and intriguing. The formatting and actual plot were all over the place. It's safe to say the author is very good at what they do, and well crafted, it just didn't work all the way for me.

Was truly excited to read this from Gurney, who won the Nobel Prize recently. Truly topped their previous work with this one. Will need to reread it once it's released, but loved it so.

I was disappointed and underwhelmed by this novel from the highly praised Nobel winner. Yes, the writing is wonderfully calm yet clear, the characters intriguing, and the cultural portrait crisp. Yet the story itself seems meandering and ultimately predictable. Pacing also seemed odd. A great deal of scene- and character- setting, and then some swift developments late on.
I’m probably a lone dissenting voice here, nevertheless I had greater expectations.