THE THIEVES OF YOUTH is the first book of a trilogy of coming of age novels, variously referred to as ADVENTURES IN THE VOID or sometimes as THE BOOKS OF LUCIEN. THE THIEVES OF YOUTH is set in t.he 1950's as things are just getting started for the young Lucien Goldman. Metaphorically speaking he is just learning the ropes. Literally he is being roped into the lifestyle of his striving middle class parents Harry and Evelyn who are his mentors, although his brother Paul, a maintenance man named Slim Sandleman and the former world heavyweight champion, Floyd Patterson, are vying for the honors