Valfierno: The Man who Stole the Mona LisaOn August 22, 1911, the world was shocked by an audacious crime: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. Although some people suspected subversive artists like Picasso or Apollinaire of perpetrating the theft, no arrests were made. Two years later, an Italian named Vincenzo Perugia was detained after attempting to sell the Mona Lisa to an antiques dealer in Florence -- but the mystery of the theft itself was never satisfactorily resolved.In his spellbinding novelValfierno, Martin Caparros tackles this enigma, presenting us with a fascinating criminal unable to go to his grave without divulging the details of his outrageous heist. In tantalizing conversations with an American journalist, the Marques de Valfierno sheds light on his past secrets, including his sordid origins as Bollino, son of a Buenos Aires servant woman, a man ultimately transformed into the most notorious con artist in the world. A sly and consummate entertainer, Valfierno reveals the shifting identities of the anonymous Argentine boy who has gone on to become a veritable artist, creating for himself the perfect role of wealthy aristocrat in Belle Epoque Paris as he prepares for his crime.Featuring an engaging cat-and-mouse drama and unforgettable characters, Valfierno is a brilliant fictional-ization of the greatest theft of the twentieth century, as well as a compelling psychological portrait of a true mastermind.Valfierno, Caparros's eighth novel, won the prestigious Premio Planeta award in 2004. |
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able Aliaga Argentine Becker begin believe Bollino Buenos Aires Charles Becker Chaudron Colonel copy course decided Don Simón door Dumenza Eduardo de Valfierno Enrique Bonaglia everything eyes face fake Falaise Faux Chien feel fierno French friends girl give going hair hand happened Hippodrome d'Auteuil idea idiot imagine Italian Ivanka J. P. Morgan Joconde Juan María keep knew La Joconde Lancelotti learned lived look Louvre luck Malacca Marqués Eduardo Mercedes Mona Lisa morning mother museum never Newspaperman night once painting Paris perhaps realize remember replies Rosario San José seems Signore smell smile someone story street stupid sure surprised talking tell there's things thought told tries understand Valérie Larbin Vincenzo Perugia wait walks wine woman women words worry yellow badge Yves Yves Chaudron