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mwelbel's review against another edition
4.0
zelmani's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
eawunder's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of this book kind of baffled me and my end review of it baffles me as well. I didn’t really like 3/4 of this book. I found the main character annoying and a bit insufferable. I kept waiting for something to happen, or change. A lot of the book happens in quiet conversations or internal monologues or hauntings. But the last bit, when the main character considers love and shame and the price of art, was captivating. I also think it had a relatively honest and believable portrayal of grief
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably the most shocking, relentless, and morally ambiguous books I've read all year. And I loved it. When Lu Rile gets an opportunity to make it big--like, really make it big--she wonders whether the payoff would be worth the pain of showcasing a self portrait with her neighbor's son jumping to his death in the background. But how does one exactly bring up that conversation?
Surrounded by others currently "making it" in the art world, it's no wonder that Lu decides to show her painting. She works three jobs. Her neighbors' sole occupations are as artists. To specially print out her photographs, it takes months worth of saving up money. Her neighbors can crank out art supplies and whip out checks like they're worth nothing.
So when she finally gets this opportunity, this horrible, golden opportunity, it's really no surprise. But that doesn't mean that she doesn't lose friendships along the way.
It was simply fascinating to get into Lu Rile's head and to view the world as she views it. Not only that, but I learned so much about art and photography that I never even really thought of before (which was perfect because I coincidentally got to visit lots of museums after reading this!). I'd definitely recommend this to those who like books like My Year of Rest and Relaxation, or who want something that's a little shocking, a little risque, and a little risky.
Review cross-listed here!
Surrounded by others currently "making it" in the art world, it's no wonder that Lu decides to show her painting. She works three jobs. Her neighbors' sole occupations are as artists. To specially print out her photographs, it takes months worth of saving up money. Her neighbors can crank out art supplies and whip out checks like they're worth nothing.
So when she finally gets this opportunity, this horrible, golden opportunity, it's really no surprise. But that doesn't mean that she doesn't lose friendships along the way.
It was simply fascinating to get into Lu Rile's head and to view the world as she views it. Not only that, but I learned so much about art and photography that I never even really thought of before (which was perfect because I coincidentally got to visit lots of museums after reading this!). I'd definitely recommend this to those who like books like My Year of Rest and Relaxation, or who want something that's a little shocking, a little risque, and a little risky.
Review cross-listed here!
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
5.0
There's a particular kind of character who just hits my sweet spot. A woman who makes a lot of bad decisions and ruins her own life is always interesting to read about; after all, what is fiction without conflict and what kind of conflict is more interesting than the stuff people bring on themselves? This novel features that main character. Lu is a young woman living in a terrible loft apartment in a sketchy part of Brooklyn in the nineties, before gentrification. She works at an expensive grocery store that allows her to pay her rent (most of the time) and buy film as she works on becoming a photographer. She is working on a series of self-portraits when it happens, she takes a truly great picture. Lu is sure that this is the key to getting her foot in the door of the art world, but who will she have to hurt to get her chance?
The very act of recall is like trying to photograph the sky. The infinite and ever-shifting colors of memory, its rippling light, cannot really be captured. Show someone who has never seen the sky a picture of the sky and you show them a picture of nothing.
This is a well-written debut novel that really captures a time and place, when if you were willing to live in a run down and rodent-infested space where the landlord is desperate to get people out, you could afford to live in New York. Where your neighbors could be people with serious issues or they could be artists using the space to create art. This is also a wonderful depiction of a person who longs to be an artist, to support herself with her pictures and to find a place within that milieu. I'm eager to read whatever Rachel Lyon writes next, even if it probably won't be exactly this book.
The very act of recall is like trying to photograph the sky. The infinite and ever-shifting colors of memory, its rippling light, cannot really be captured. Show someone who has never seen the sky a picture of the sky and you show them a picture of nothing.
This is a well-written debut novel that really captures a time and place, when if you were willing to live in a run down and rodent-infested space where the landlord is desperate to get people out, you could afford to live in New York. Where your neighbors could be people with serious issues or they could be artists using the space to create art. This is also a wonderful depiction of a person who longs to be an artist, to support herself with her pictures and to find a place within that milieu. I'm eager to read whatever Rachel Lyon writes next, even if it probably won't be exactly this book.
ariannabollens's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sakeriver's review against another edition
This book was well-crafted and interesting. I have a hard time reading stories about visual artists, especially photographers—either there will be some lack of verisimilitude that pulls me out or else it’ll be cut too close to the bone. This was the latter, especially because I spend so much time thinking about how and whether my art might hurt the people around me. Still, I read the second half of this in one sitting. It was quite compelling.
beth_diiorio's review against another edition
5.0
Intriguing and unique story concept told with a wonderfully engaging writing style. LOVED this book!!! Met Rachel Lyon in person and hope she keeps writing literary fiction! Highly recommend!!! :-)
annetjeberg's review against another edition
3.0
This was a strange book. I really disliked the main character, but somehow I really wanted to find out what would happen to her. Of course, nothing really good can come from a self portrait with a boy falling to death.
Different.
Different.