The Thief contains an attention-grab bing cast of dynamic characters, the foremost of which is Gen, the thief of the title, who leads a life of deception both in his actions and in what he as narrator permits readers to know. Gen provides glimpses of his past, though he manages to leave out just enough to make it difficult for readers to fit the parts together. Gen, as his narrative unfolds, seems to reveal more and more about himself, but he never discloses very important clues to his true identify. He often leaves his audience wondering how much of what he says is true and how much is an elaborate facade. Gen appears to be fooling them with his humor and wit in the same way that he hopes to fool the magus and his companions; for just when readers believe they know him...