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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Yawn. I'm just not interested. Got to 20% and didn't want to continue. I guess this was supposed to be amusing but I thought it was just stupid.
DNF at 18%
I really wanted to like this and tried to give it a chance despite its lower rating.
The story was good, but it just felt too slow and rambly and introduced too many characters to make me believe we’d get to our destination any time soon.
I really wanted to like this and tried to give it a chance despite its lower rating.
The story was good, but it just felt too slow and rambly and introduced too many characters to make me believe we’d get to our destination any time soon.
Improbable characters, improbable plot, improbable talking Watteau. And yet, so very much to like. Despite "Annie smiled, gratefully" appearing thrice on one page, and despite an inexplicable reference to the much-admired Edmund de Waal ( a dig? an homage?) this novel is brimming with art world information: the overdrive of the auction market; best practices in paintings conservation; provenance research; Nazi plundering; Russian oligarchs ; the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. And a heroine who loves to cook. Because why not?
Starts off a bit long and dry but unwinds beautifully.
alright... so... i loved ¾ of this novel, but the wheels really fell off the wagon for me in the last bit. up until that point, i found it interesting, lively, and very engaging. the last ¼ of the book really took a bit of an awkward turn - it felt farcical and out of step. as well, there was one very unsatisfying ending for a particular character which really fell flat for me. i also noticed some repetition which made for some clunky moments. so i am feeling a wee bit let down with this one because it was so strong for a good while. i am glad i read this as part of my 2016 baileys women's prize reading - and that i went from an anthropomorphized squirrel ([b:The Portable Veblen|25431238|The Portable Veblen|Elizabeth Mckenzie|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1433253884s/25431238.jpg|45191967]) right into a book featuring a sentient work of art. TIoL was fun for a while, but i just can't shake feeling frustrated and disappointed over the last part of the book.
(and the 3-stars may be more like 2 ½. maybe? i don't know. i'll sit with it for a few days.)
(and the 3-stars may be more like 2 ½. maybe? i don't know. i'll sit with it for a few days.)
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol
Absolutely wonderful book! A blend of mystery, art, cooking and a dash of romance, but don't paint this book as pure romance from the title. It's about people and their secrets, and the past and present colliding. I loved it, and went on to buy it for several other people.
Too many characters that really was of no consequence. I couldn’t seem to care for any of the characters and there was so much in there was really wasn’t necessary?!
The premise sounded a lot better than what it really ended up being.
I only really enjoyed the last few chapters from 33ish because at least there was a little excitement as to if Annie would make it out … but overall disappointed with this.
The premise sounded a lot better than what it really ended up being.
I only really enjoyed the last few chapters from 33ish because at least there was a little excitement as to if Annie would make it out … but overall disappointed with this.
My goodness I hated this book. I must have missed something because there are positive reviews and it was shortlisted for the Bailey's Prize but what a waste of time. It wasn't even that fun to hate. I could go through all the reasons why but this review did it for me:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1454906995?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1454906995?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1
Was shit, and by the second pov from the painting I was just done with it and life