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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Loved the mix of history and suspense. Beautiful writing.
I received this as an uncorrected proof prior to publication, thanks to Good Reading magazine. Had no great expectations but absolutely loved it. The story moves back and forth with ease from the 17th century to the 20th century and concludes in the dawn of the 21st century. A little bit love story, a little bit history and mystery and a whole lot of substance. Well worth a read
Audible version: While this had me listening every spare minute, it was because I kept thinking something interesting was going to happen. The writing is lovely, but the story just ended up being really boring. And the ending? Ugh. Yay that it was all strong women and all that. Yay three times that it was Eduardo Ballerini narrating it! And yay that it's done and I can move on to something more fun. I'm thinking Fannie Flagg as I've heard she's the one to read when you're down, and I am a bit grumpy lately.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
Three central characters and three time periods very skilfully woven together to make a book that is thoroughly interesting until the last moment. A few elements that I could have done without - particularly the stereotypical private detective who is super fat and super unconventional but boy does he get results *eye roll* - but in general, a very satisfying book.
More like 4 1/2 stars...
Dominic Smith's use of language is beautifully engaging. The story glides easily between the three time periods - Sara De Vos's 17th century Amsterdam, young Ellie Shipley's 1950s New York City, and noted art historian Ellie Shipley's 2000 Syndey. I often forgot I was reading a work of fiction.
Dominic Smith's use of language is beautifully engaging. The story glides easily between the three time periods - Sara De Vos's 17th century Amsterdam, young Ellie Shipley's 1950s New York City, and noted art historian Ellie Shipley's 2000 Syndey. I often forgot I was reading a work of fiction.
It's a multi-layered story about three people and three time periods, Sarah de Vos, a 17th century Dutch painter, Marty, a mid 20th-century art collector in New York, and Ellie, initially an art restorer in London, and later an art exhibition curator in Sydney, Australia at the beginning of the 21st century. It is at its best when it talks about 17th century painting, the forger’s craft, and the importance of light in Rembrandt’s art, but less interesting when it deals with the people. The mystery is at no time gripping and the dialogues and character’s thoughts often seem awkward and unevenly written. Having said that, it was a reasonably good read.
This certainly did not knock my socks off. I was reluctant to give it a three but two seemed like a slap in the face. This is a low three. Or a high two.