Give and Take

by Stona Fitch

Ross Clifton is a talented jazz pianist—and an even more talented thief. He steals millions of dollars in diamonds and BMWs and gives all the money away. But his life as a latter-day Robin Hood is about to come to an abrupt end. Fast, funny, and felonious, Give and Take takes you on an economic shakedown cruise.

Genres: Fiction

193 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

I'm a novelist, former punk, ad man, and recovering Okie living in Boston. I write dark, politically inflected novels that have a redeeming sense of humor that pulls them out of the abyss. My books go on to foreign editions, film adaptations, and other lives. But most important to me is that my books connect with new readers, every day. Thanks to you for being one.

My latest novel is Death Watch, and it's a wild ride. Not as scary as it sounds. Or is it? Your call. I also write under the pen name of my Irish twin, Mr. Rory Flynn (Third Rail, Dark Horse). And I'm the founder of the Concord Free Press, which has inspired more than $5 million in generosity around the world. Our books are free in exchange for a donation to a cause you believe in or a person in need in your community.

https://www.concordfreepress.com/

Reviews

[Ronald Koltnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitch's third novel is his best so far, a true picaresque, as our thief hero travels across the country playing piano in cocktail lounges, robbing from the rich, and giving to the poor. From Cleveland to Vermont, with many points in between, Ross Clifton seduces women, steals their jewels (replacing them with excellent fakes), but never forming attachments. He is a true existentialist noir hero, calculating, dispassionate (except about his music), and rootless (although, as in all of Fitch's fiction, the old roots have never left him). Even Ross's sex life is kind of sexless, until he meets the fetching Marianne London. Is Marianne too good to be true? Is this love or the machinations of a femme fatale? Although the ending is a bit of a letdown, Fitch delivers on his meditation on family, materialism, and the redemptive quality of a jazz standard. The family that steals together heals together; that is a great theme for a crime novel.

[Wendy Larken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It's a caper story with wonderfully flawed characters and sharp descriptions.

[Daniel Barrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is easily the most sexually explicit book I have ever read. That's usually something I would avoid and rate poorly. However, I read it at a time I was thinking about gift economies and altruism, and found this book a rather thoughtful meditation on these topics. For what it's worth, the sexual content is relevant to its exposition.

[Janellyn51 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I hadn't read anything else he's written, but I do remember when he was in Scruffy the Cat...although it was before I actually got to know those guys (Charlie Chesterman R.I.P.) Cray, all I could picture was Shaggy from Scooby Doo....and being the mother of video game playing twin boys, I thought his character was extremely well written. I liked Ross...and it's kind of funny that the last book I read was Jo Nesbo's Headhunters where the main character was a Headhunter, but used that position to steal art from prospective clients...here you've got another thief who uses his job to get over on people and steal from them....not to mention his chanteuse lady friend. It was a good story, and sometimes you just have to think, he's a thief and that's wrong on so many levels, but mostly it seemed the women he stole from were cheaters. Giving to the poor doesn't make it right...and then you get to the fish and bicycle thing too. If you just give them a fish, eat it it's gone, teach em to fish, and they'd have it all sewed up. Anyway. I loved the book. It's free, an interesting concept, I paid a dollar for it at a church sale. It's free but you are required or asked to make a donation to a good cause...which I do as often as I can, but the church is $1.00 closer to paying it's oil bill!.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's a book about a modern day robin hood type. and conchord press gave the book away (i.e., free) to anyone who requested a copy - with the stipulation that you [a] make a donation to the charity of your choice, [b] pass the book along to someone else when you're done (who would then repeat all these steps), and [c] help track the whole project online. kinda brilliant.

i wasn't exactly blown away by the prose, but fitch could turn a phrase once in a while. more importantly, it was just crackin' good story. a well-paced, very imaginative page-turner. which also happens to be asking you to contemplate material/financial wealth and it's distribution. i'd tell you to pick up a copy, but they're all gone. keep an eye on this publisher, though: they claim to want to support this publishing model with two new books every year.

[P.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the price, this was an exceptionally good book. It reminded me of Terry Rogers' novel JT, which I read a few years ago and also greatly enjoyed. A pianist who steals diamonds and Robin Hoods the wealth of his super-rich audience? Oh, fuck yes. I greatly enjoyed the foreplay between the pianist and the singer.

Anyone who doesn't know about the new model Concord Free Press is building needs to find out about it today.

I left my copy in front of an expensive-looking bookstore in Boston.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay - fairly short, fast read, sort of interesting, on-the-road piano player thief who steals from the women he meets along the road and then gives away the money. He's gotten off the grid of the consumer society. Life gets complicated by visit from teenaged nephew and singer on the road. I liked the piano detail since I play myself.

Flyleaf interesting, says the author Stona Fitch (a guy) is founder of the controversial Concord Free Press, the world's first generosity=based publisher. This book published by St. Martin's Press. Blurbs on cover - no reviews.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, one I grew to appreciate. I liked that it was original and had a lot to say about money and how we all relate to it. I enjoyed watching Ross come out of his shell and learning his reasons for giving the money away. I did feel that it took too long for me to really get into the book. I started it, put it down and didn’t feel like picking it up for another month. But, that being said, once I reached the middle I was into it and happy I read on.

there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too much hardcore jazz discussion as filler to suit anyone but a jazz musician. Perhaps a bit too much curious sex, too, but it had an interesting modern philanthropic premise, and certainly wasn't boring, I've made my donation to the cause, and now just need to unload the book on a willing reader. Go to http://www.concordfreepress.com for more information.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely different from anything I've read in awhile. Part caper, part road trip tale, part romance, part family dysfunction. The writing is crisp and oftentimes funny and the story is snappy. Fun, fresh read.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this, this past week. I enjoyed it. I don't remember a large amount of details beyond the jazz and stealing, which are things I personally endorse.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed it. It's a fast read, has good character development, and makes you root for the thief.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

different plot; I didn't like the ending, but then I don't have to like the ending to like the book

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another I think needs another 1/2 star.

[Readstoomuch]

recommended by Lynnie - aug, 2010

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected plot and truly funny and clever at the same time.

[LInda L]

No memory of this -- it's just on my list of books I've read.