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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
challenging
slow-paced
This was fun. Arts galore (really, lots of info on art and art world, auctions, art history & co.), definitely my cup of tea (coffee, rather, but we gotta stay British for the sake of the novel). And quite a lot of food, not your regular French fries, mind you, but Caravaggio-inspired feasts and 18th century homages with 20 courses, aspics and birds inside birds inside birds. You get the idea.
And then there's some romance and identity theft and a rococo painting (hence the title) that calls itself moi, as snobbish as a French painting can get.
And then there's some romance and identity theft and a rococo painting (hence the title) that calls itself moi, as snobbish as a French painting can get.
I really liked the concept of this book, but wow, was it doing a lot. The opening drew me right in, but by the time we got to 95%-ish that felt so far back I forgot how it had started and what we were building up to. Annie's dream career! Annie is lonely! Annie has a troubled relationship with her mom. Then the rich art family swooped in. So much going on! I did enjoy that we got the painting's POV; that was fun.
Cheryle gave this book 5 stars, Mary T. gave it 4 stars and Andrea gave it 3 stars.
Check out catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Simprobability%20of%20love%20rothschild__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check out catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Simprobability%20of%20love%20rothschild__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Ultimately, this book just reminded me of the Rococo art that is one of the main plot points. It tried to cover some grand and important themes, but the language and writing style were just too silly, frilly, overly detailed, and insipid. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be satire, so it is possible that my opinion of the book is so gloomy because I was trying to read it like a real novel.
The Improbability of Love was not unpleasant to read, but neither was it truly enjoyable. On the rare occasions when the author actually established a character and provided insight into their emotions, the book started to get good. However, each time she introduced a new character or a new setting, the writing was once again bogged down with overwrought and slightly nonsensical descriptions. Unfortunately, new characters and new settings were introduced every few pages.
The Improbability of Love was not unpleasant to read, but neither was it truly enjoyable. On the rare occasions when the author actually established a character and provided insight into their emotions, the book started to get good. However, each time she introduced a new character or a new setting, the writing was once again bogged down with overwrought and slightly nonsensical descriptions. Unfortunately, new characters and new settings were introduced every few pages.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
No
When the central character of a book is a painting with a chequered past and a wry take on history. When the scope of the story is wide enough to cover Nazi atrocities, but the focus remains on the childlike, flawed and endearing pair. When there is an army of characters, but most just play their part and go without confusing you too much with their complexities. That's a book you love to read when you are struggling to make sense of the world.
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
As I wrap up the year of reading too many novels, I've learned to appreciate books in many ways.
This one truly needs to be appreciated in the context that it was written - as a titillating tale of art historical fantasy.
This one truly needs to be appreciated in the context that it was written - as a titillating tale of art historical fantasy.