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kairhone's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bonneyboys's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
victoriathuyvi's review against another edition
4.0
For all the flaws (like distant self-centered writing, endless technical tangents, and not fleshed out characters), I still admired the theme of art and authenticity/illusion/real vs. fake. Also loved the section about Cinecitta (I have a soft spot for Italy) and the juxtaposition of the father's personal anecdote and real historical events of Lascaux. The little art history lessons sprinkled around, albeit gratuitously imo, were a delight. But I am biased as a former art history major. This novel read more like a threadbare plot used as an excuse to actually write about art topics that the author wanted to share, but had no reason to.
emherland's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
I loved the writing of this but never really fully got into the characters, which meant I couldn't get into the meat of the novel. It explored themes I'm interested in (art/artifice, specifically) but not in a way that particularly grabbed me.
bak3n's review against another edition
i liked this :)))
one of those books that’s just all detail but so patient and so attentive
one of those books that’s just all detail but so patient and so attentive
kazza27's review
5.0
The book begins with the reader being introduced to Paula, Jonas and Kate. Paula is enrolling at the Institut de Peinture as a painter, she wants to understand more about traditional painting techniques on wood, marble, semi precious stones and gilding for decorative art. She is going to learn the art of trompe-l’oeil and moves in with Jonas, another student in Brussels and soon she is brought face to face with the strenuous work that this course entails.
I found the authors writing style really engaging and although it is not the easiest narrative to follow at times but I was really engrossed by this story and the characters who are all so different. Paula is intense and obsessive about her painting. Her relationship with Jonas is also complex as the painting techniques that they study.
The prose is so rich and full of technical details, which after studying art history I found very interesting although I never studied to this degree. Broken by the pressure of the course, Paula says she is going to drop out but is persuaded to stay by Kate and Jonas. After they graduate, she then starts to do commissions which takes her all over the world on a series of mini adventures.
This is such a unique,beautiful and observational book, everything about it I loved the characters, the writing it almost feels biographical as we follow Paula. I was captivated and totally absorbed by this special book which will stay with me for a long time. One of my books of the year without a doubt.
Thank you to Milly Reid for my invitation to the blog blast and the opportunity to read this extraordinary book.
I found the authors writing style really engaging and although it is not the easiest narrative to follow at times but I was really engrossed by this story and the characters who are all so different. Paula is intense and obsessive about her painting. Her relationship with Jonas is also complex as the painting techniques that they study.
The prose is so rich and full of technical details, which after studying art history I found very interesting although I never studied to this degree. Broken by the pressure of the course, Paula says she is going to drop out but is persuaded to stay by Kate and Jonas. After they graduate, she then starts to do commissions which takes her all over the world on a series of mini adventures.
This is such a unique,beautiful and observational book, everything about it I loved the characters, the writing it almost feels biographical as we follow Paula. I was captivated and totally absorbed by this special book which will stay with me for a long time. One of my books of the year without a doubt.
Thank you to Milly Reid for my invitation to the blog blast and the opportunity to read this extraordinary book.
egould1's review against another edition
4.0
A deep-dive into the world of decorative painting. We follow the creation of Paula as an artist. There is a good bit of commentary on art and ‘copyist’ art, which was interesting. I sometimes struggled with the long sentences and paragraphs, but overall enjoyed this novel.