Scan barcode
rj_33432's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could recall why I picked this book to read. It was such a pleasure. It felt like if Patricia Highsmith was still writing books today. There is a twisted love story, some conniving, well plotted and not so well plotted grifting, and a nice twist. The descriptions of Venice were great, and I loved that this wasn't set in a typical local. Really well done.
saracat's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audio book, and as the story progressed, I couldn't remember the details about the person in the prologue and was constantly wondering who and how the story would reach that point.
I think the initial goal of selling the faked antiques to the one guy for a high cost felt so easy to justify to the characters, but even to me. And watching how things snowballed... sometimes so slowly it was barely noticeable until a lot had happened but sometimes with giant leaps.
I liked how we start partway into things happening and Bollen goes back and forth until we are caught up. And I also like how it wasn't solely told from Nick's perspective, but it did feel like we go more of his perspective.
The ending is one I like and dislike at the same time.
Content Warning: forced sex - though not very explicitly described, a few short descriptions of sexual activity, assault with a weapon, murder
I think the initial goal of selling the faked antiques to the one guy for a high cost felt so easy to justify to the characters, but even to me. And watching how things snowballed... sometimes so slowly it was barely noticeable until a lot had happened but sometimes with giant leaps.
I liked how we start partway into things happening and Bollen goes back and forth until we are caught up. And I also like how it wasn't solely told from Nick's perspective, but it did feel like we go more of his perspective.
The ending is one I like and dislike at the same time.
Content Warning: forced sex - though not very explicitly described, a few short descriptions of sexual activity, assault with a weapon, murder
tankytoon's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
There needs to be a balance of good writing and good plot. Not to say that this book didn't have a good plot, but the first half of the book was really just a love letter to the city of Venice, which I didn't sign up for, nor really care that much. I would have DNF'd this book if it wasn't someone's thoughtful gift for me, and apparently this was raved about by the staff at the bookstore.
The writing was certainly superb, but nothing much was going on and Nick wasn't really a likeable character, in my opinion, choosing the wayward Clay over the stable Ari who has been nothing but kind to him. The second half of the book is where the action begins, and certainly a commendable effort by both Nick and Clay in the con. The twists and turns at the final stretches of the book could not make up for the slow dredging that went before it. It's akin to an old, vintage car that could not start, and when it did, meandered slowly in the beginning, only accelerating towards the end and sputters. Some might appreciate this, but I did not.
The only consolation is that the the novel imparts some values on how appearances can be deceiving.
A Beautiful Crime demonstrates that first impressions aren't always real and neither are people's assumptions of others are always true.
The writing was certainly superb, but nothing much was going on and Nick wasn't really a likeable character, in my opinion, choosing the wayward Clay over the stable Ari who has been nothing but kind to him. The second half of the book is where the action begins, and certainly a commendable effort by both Nick and Clay in the con. The twists and turns at the final stretches of the book could not make up for the slow dredging that went before it. It's akin to an old, vintage car that could not start, and when it did, meandered slowly in the beginning, only accelerating towards the end and sputters. Some might appreciate this, but I did not.
The only consolation is that the the novel imparts some values on how appearances can be deceiving.
A Beautiful Crime demonstrates that first impressions aren't always real and neither are people's assumptions of others are always true.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Murder, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
livetoread2024's review against another edition
3.0
I finished this one because Venice is on my bucket travel list. But, after reading this book, I don't think I want to go back there anymore. It sounds like it has been a victim of it's own success.
magnuscumlaude's review against another edition
5.0
I started reading A Beautiful Crime this past summer but stopped when I realized it was giving more ~~AuTuMn~~ vibes, and I do not regret it. It's a big, gay, pan-Atlantic art caper that made me really want to visit Venice (but NOT be a tourist, just go straight to drinking vino under the fresco in my palazzo). This was a fun read, and I loved all the details about art and antiques. This book actually introduced me to the sculptures of the Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuși, which I now love.
Apart from all the really engaging writing about art and Italy, this story was thrilling and heartbreaking. Definitely some pulse-pounding moments, and sections where you're shaking your head at the stupidity of some of the characters. **Mild Spoilers** I wish there was some more closure with Ari's character, and I was surprised that rich family from the motoscafo wasn't incorporated into the disastrous denouement BUT Nick and Clay's relationship was sweet. Loved the last few pages.
Apart from all the really engaging writing about art and Italy, this story was thrilling and heartbreaking. Definitely some pulse-pounding moments, and sections where you're shaking your head at the stupidity of some of the characters. **Mild Spoilers** I wish there was some more closure with Ari's character, and I was surprised that rich family from the motoscafo wasn't incorporated into the disastrous denouement BUT Nick and Clay's relationship was sweet. Loved the last few pages.
brandonkylegoco's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
piddlepiddle's review against another edition
3.0
I think I just wasn't the right audience for this. I don't particularly care about Venice, and this really felt like a love letter to the city. So I felt I had to slog through descriptions of places I just didn't care for. Other than that, this is definitely a litfic book that has aspects of a crime/thriller, not a crime/thriller book in my opinion.
I don't think there's any mystery to the plot so definitely go in knowing that, it's a crime/thriller not a mystery/thriller. I also think it wrapped up too quickly. I wanted more of the fall out of the crime, but that's just personal opinion.
The book did feel very compulsively readable. The writing wasn't flowery in it's descriptions nor was it flat, it was very easy to get sucked in and just keep reading.
I did enjoy the exploration of gay culture, especially the relationships between older gay men and younger gay men. I would have liked more of an exploration into Clay and Nick's relationship, it just felt kinda ???? as to why Nick would go to the lengths he did for Clay. We don't really see a build up of their fast whirlwind romance that led to Nick to agree to con someone for Clay and to help him out of his debts.
Overall, this just wasn't for me and your mileage may vary if you do go to pick this up!
I don't think there's any mystery to the plot so definitely go in knowing that, it's a crime/thriller not a mystery/thriller. I also think it wrapped up too quickly. I wanted more of the fall out of the crime, but that's just personal opinion.
The book did feel very compulsively readable. The writing wasn't flowery in it's descriptions nor was it flat, it was very easy to get sucked in and just keep reading.
I did enjoy the exploration of gay culture, especially the relationships between older gay men and younger gay men. I would have liked more of an exploration into Clay and Nick's relationship, it just felt kinda ???? as to why Nick would go to the lengths he did for Clay. We don't really see a build up of their fast whirlwind romance that led to Nick to agree to con someone for Clay and to help him out of his debts.
Overall, this just wasn't for me and your mileage may vary if you do go to pick this up!
rlk7m's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lshatilla's review against another edition
4.0
3.75⭐️, the last 100 pages had be on the edge of my seat.