You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
An enjoyable story across three time periods - each of them interesting. I loved how it ended.
Have you noticed the correlation of an arresting first line and then how much you enjoy a book? This one starts with "The painting is stolen the same week the Russians put a dog into space." Moving among three time periods and locations - NYC in the 1950s, Australia in 2000, and Amsterdam in 1635 - this book weaves together a beautiful, mysterious story about a painter, a collector and an art professor. It's endlessly intriguing with characters full of pains they both suffer and create. So beautifully written - a reminder of what a skilled craft storytelling really is.
wow! I didn't expect to love this book, but I did. I loved how story of this art forgery was unfolded by the three different main characters at various points in time. this story was so well written I felt like was in each of the time periods. And wanting to know Ellie's fate, kept me turning pages in to the wee hours of the night. Excellent book! highly recommended!
I’m usually suspicious of covers blazoned with “The international sensation” (Where the Crawdads Sing anyone?). But I really enjoyed this novel — a pleasure from start to finish. It’s not great literature, but Dominic Smith is in control of his material, handles the time switches (17th century, 1958, 2000) well, and creates believable characters. His period detail in the 1630s and 1950s is particularly delightful, and the visual descriptions are excellent too. The well constructed plot winds its way elegantly through the three timelines, gradually converging in the end, with building tension and a satisfying resolution.
Just a really good novel that will hold your attention throughout. I devoured it in days.
Just a really good novel that will hold your attention throughout. I devoured it in days.
i am a sucker for books that span centuries, connecting characters from different periods in time through cultural artifacts or history or geography...and this book did so fantastically.
such great characters who truly come alive as you read their thoughts, struggles, triumphs, doubts...this is a one of the best book i read this year.
such great characters who truly come alive as you read their thoughts, struggles, triumphs, doubts...this is a one of the best book i read this year.
I really enjoyed this book...Art History, a mystery, and emotional lives of the characters all are touched upon. Good atmosphere of the cities/eras involved in the storyline.
The story is told in three voices. Marty de Groot's family has had a painting, At the Edge of a Wood, in his family for almost 300 years. In the 1950s, Marty owns the painting, and Ellie Shipley is hired to make a forgery. We follow how their lives intersect and the history of the painting and the painter.
Well told. Well written. Smith does a good job helping the reader feel what the characters feel.
Well told. Well written. Smith does a good job helping the reader feel what the characters feel.
"Ellie thinks of how the world is governed by couples, how unmarried women make good academics because they've been neutered by too much knowledge and bookish pleasure."
There are many things to admire about this book: the three time settings are all rendered with wonderful detail and atmosphere, and the interweaving of the stories is meticulous, so that when we eventually see--well, the last painting of Sara de Vos, it comes as a revelation. There are also parallels between relationships and happenings in the 17th century and the 20th century and the 21st, showing us that time and technique and commercial values in the art world may shift, but human beings still act like human beings. There is love lost, betrayal, greed--and love renewed. Redemption, even.
I am always drawn to any book set (at least partially) in Amsterdam, my favorite city in the world. And Dominic Smith adds details, from driving moccasins to skate blades to the hiring of phony Beatniks, that make the plot sparkle and amuse.
Recommended for art lovers, Amsterdam lovers, and mystery lovers.
I am always drawn to any book set (at least partially) in Amsterdam, my favorite city in the world. And Dominic Smith adds details, from driving moccasins to skate blades to the hiring of phony Beatniks, that make the plot sparkle and amuse.
Recommended for art lovers, Amsterdam lovers, and mystery lovers.
This was more like a 3.5, but adultery is usually a game stopper for me. The fact that it's still that high is a compliment. I enjoyed the weaving of the women's stories. It was enjoyable to hear stories of women at different points in history. Strong women with limited confidence were difficult to listen to, I wanted them to find their strength. I guess they did but not in the way I'd hoped they would. I really enjoyed the parts about art and techniques. It inspired me to learn more about art. I hated Marty. Well, most of the men in the book were terrible except Thomas. I'm happy I read it, but I didn't love any of the characters. I more just enjoyed the art and weaving of the stories.