Andrea Goldsmith's new novel-her fifth-is ambitious in its scope. Covering seventy years and most of the world, The Prosperous Thief tackles difficult questions of survival, identity and memory in the aftermath of the Holocaust. As we follow the descendents of Martin and Renate Lewin from Germany in the 30s to the UK and the US, we are introduced to another Lewin family in Australia-are they linked by a terrible secret? As the older generations pass away, the children and grandchildren are left to deal with the repercussions of an event that happened half a century before and half a world away. The Prosperous Thief is heartfelt and thoroughly researched, but at times it wears this research heavily. The pacing of the novel is desperately uneven-the first 120 pages of the book drag and the second half introduces too many new characters and subplots. The motivation of some characters is implausible and that of others is impenetrable at times. Nonetheless, the themes are important and timely, and fans of writers like Lily Brett or Drusilla Modjeska could find this a worthwhile read.

Tim Coronel is the editorial coordinator of Australian Bookseller & Publisher. 

C. 2002 Thorpe-Bowker and contributors

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