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graciecat_mom's review
3.0
Perhaps it's because I read all three of the author's books in a few weeks, I found this one dragged a bit.
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
• TBR since March 9, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis is a multi-narrative story set in two time periods: the 1920s and 1970s New York. The two story threads meet in Grand Central Station which is the ideal setting for bustling Art Deco New York meets down and out New York when homelessness was rife and the glamour had definitely worn off.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis is a multi-narrative story set in two time periods: the 1920s and 1970s New York. The two story threads meet in Grand Central Station which is the ideal setting for bustling Art Deco New York meets down and out New York when homelessness was rife and the glamour had definitely worn off.
book_concierge's review
3.0
Digital audiobook performed by Cassandra Campbell
3***
In this work of historical fiction, Davis turns her attention to another New York City landmark: Grand Central Terminal.
As has become de rigueur for historical fiction these days, Davis uses a dual timeline, though, in this case, both timelines are historical. In 1928 Clara Darden is an art instruction and illustrator, working at the Grand Central School of Art (yes, an art school WAS really housed in the terminal building). And in 1974 Virginia Clay, desperate for money after a divorce, gets a job at the information desk of a now dilapidated (and scheduled for demolition) Grand Central Terminal.
Both of them have to fight against institutional bias against women. Clara can’t achieve her potential as “Clara” because the men in charge of most work assignments can’t begin to see her value and are too afraid of bucking the system. (“We can’t let the public know a woman designed this car interior; they wouldn’t trust the product and wouldn’t buy it.”) Virginia has been the typical housewife, married to a successful attorney, and no one can imagine that she “needs” a job now. She’s also suffering from very low self-esteem, partly as a result of.
Their stories merge as Virginia becomes aware of the history of Grand Central and joins the fight to save the structure as a landmark.
I really wish Davis had focused more on the building’s historic past and the many reasons it achieved landmark status, and the fight to save it -or- on the feminist issue of unrecognized artists (or other contributors) due to gender bias. Trying to do both resulted in a work that didn’t fully explore either theme. It was a pretty fast read, and I kept turning pages (or listening, in my case), but I was left with a “Is that all?” feeling.
Cassandra Campbell does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. She’s become one of my favorite audiobook performers.
3***
In this work of historical fiction, Davis turns her attention to another New York City landmark: Grand Central Terminal.
As has become de rigueur for historical fiction these days, Davis uses a dual timeline, though, in this case, both timelines are historical. In 1928 Clara Darden is an art instruction and illustrator, working at the Grand Central School of Art (yes, an art school WAS really housed in the terminal building). And in 1974 Virginia Clay, desperate for money after a divorce, gets a job at the information desk of a now dilapidated (and scheduled for demolition) Grand Central Terminal.
Both of them have to fight against institutional bias against women. Clara can’t achieve her potential as “Clara” because the men in charge of most work assignments can’t begin to see her value and are too afraid of bucking the system. (“We can’t let the public know a woman designed this car interior; they wouldn’t trust the product and wouldn’t buy it.”) Virginia has been the typical housewife, married to a successful attorney, and no one can imagine that she “needs” a job now. She’s also suffering from very low self-esteem, partly as a result of
Spoiler
a mastectomy which makes her ashamed and embarrassed about her “disfigured” bodyTheir stories merge as Virginia becomes aware of the history of Grand Central and joins the fight to save the structure as a landmark.
I really wish Davis had focused more on the building’s historic past and the many reasons it achieved landmark status, and the fight to save it -or- on the feminist issue of unrecognized artists (or other contributors) due to gender bias. Trying to do both resulted in a work that didn’t fully explore either theme. It was a pretty fast read, and I kept turning pages (or listening, in my case), but I was left with a “Is that all?” feeling.
Cassandra Campbell does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. She’s become one of my favorite audiobook performers.
jessrit's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mbkarapcik's review
4.0
In this novel, the author focuses her attention on the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. She posits two stories in tandem with each other that cover two different decades. A young art student in the 1920s who works as an illustrator is torn between two loves–a wealthy poet and an avant-garde painter–and wants to become a successful and independent artist herself.
The other main character, Virginia, struggles to find employment in 1974 after getting divorced and ends up working in the now dilapidated and unsafe Grand Central Terminal. She discovers a painting holed up in the area where the now defunct art school held classes and pursues the truth surrounding the work of art.
Definitely her best novel even though I enjoyed her other two. I thought the descriptions of the art world from the 1920s were interesting and the juxtaposition of the early 1970s worked. It touched on subjects with which I was not familiar although I have been in the building in the past. Giving a shout out to the beautiful cover of the book, too.
The other main character, Virginia, struggles to find employment in 1974 after getting divorced and ends up working in the now dilapidated and unsafe Grand Central Terminal. She discovers a painting holed up in the area where the now defunct art school held classes and pursues the truth surrounding the work of art.
Definitely her best novel even though I enjoyed her other two. I thought the descriptions of the art world from the 1920s were interesting and the juxtaposition of the early 1970s worked. It touched on subjects with which I was not familiar although I have been in the building in the past. Giving a shout out to the beautiful cover of the book, too.
sankitch87's review
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
perfectly_pintsized's review against another edition
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
cheitman45's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0