Scan barcode
abi_th0ma5's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It almost redeemed itself at the end but Pierre-Fraçois was the least likeable protagonist I’ve read about this year.
gertrude314's review
3.0
I have loved his other books but this one fell a little flat to me. I was really into it until the character turned the fantasy into reality. It felt a little rushed and uninventive after that. There was no drama. It was overall a fun idea but the ending lacks the charm his twists normally have.
bianca89279's review
2.0
I'm afraid this was quite disappointing. I've read three other books by Laurain which were far more enjoyable.
The plot was far fetched and I didn't care for any of the characters, who were very sketchy. I wasn't charmed in any way, if anything, I was bored.
This was the first novella Laurain ever wrote but it was only translated this year. I guess The Portrait is useful to prove how much Laurain has grown as a writer.
The plot was far fetched and I didn't care for any of the characters, who were very sketchy. I wasn't charmed in any way, if anything, I was bored.
This was the first novella Laurain ever wrote but it was only translated this year. I guess The Portrait is useful to prove how much Laurain has grown as a writer.
whitmc's review
4.0
Laurain is so lovely to read, he makes me want to bring my French skills up a few grade levels so I can read him in his native language. This story was funny, random, and endearing. I loved getting lost in it.
leafingthroughlife's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
echitchins's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
wzwy's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
Visit the locations in the book
A short and unassuming book but one which really got to me. A man who loves collecting antiques is ridiculed by his wife who seems to hate everything he brings back home. I think she’d be more impressed if they had a cat and he brought back a dead mouse or something.
Chaumont loves antiques and the stories they tell. He has to hear their story before he knows how to look after them. His desire to hear their story is what really interested me as I love wandering in such shops and imagining the stories each item has to tell. They say if only walls could talk, but I would rather antiques did.
He picks up a painting that looks very much like him. I immediately thought ooh Dorian Gray.. but this is a different kind of story about looking within oneself and finding that life can be as quite to change as finding an object in a shop..
A nice quirky read.
kisaly's review
4.0
I'm on the hunt for light reads this dark and wintery time of year, and Antoine Laurain has fit the bill nicely with his short and quirky novels. This is probably not his best book, but is still an intriguing and quick read.