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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
A look at modern-day art auctions and the interesting histories of paintings that are hundreds of years old, this novel is easy to read if a bit facile. A bunch of coincidences serve to tie the characters together - a young woman who finds a painting in a junk shop just happens to become a member of the catering staff of a renowned art dealer. The book explores the reasons why paintings sell for record-breaking sums at auctions, and it delves into the history of Nazi art looting. It also includes the painting itself as a character - a fictional painting called 'The Improbability of Love' by a real painter, the 18th century French artist Watteau. The painting recalls its own history amid its current ignoble circumstances.
The characters are a bit superficial, especially the Russian who talks in stereotypically broken English. It doesn't delve deeply enough and seems to rely more on cleverness, wit , and plot machinations.
The characters are a bit superficial, especially the Russian who talks in stereotypically broken English. It doesn't delve deeply enough and seems to rely more on cleverness, wit , and plot machinations.
Too many characters to follow and remember, too much unnecessary detail, lack of proper plot so far because there are so many characters and not enough advancement on the main plot that the blurb promises. I was just bored and the book felt way too long that I didn't want to read any more. Also the chapters from the point of view of the painting were awful, took me out of the story so much to anthropomorphise the painting.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
longest prologue in history but absolutely worth it. obsessed obsessed
‘pencil full of lead’ by paolo nutini
‘pencil full of lead’ by paolo nutini
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reading this I alternated between not wanting to put it down and wanting to quit it altogether. This book was a good idea that needed a better editor. I really liked the concept and the writing was pretty good, but there were so many problems. Repeated turns of phrase and clichés, too many characters, a railroaded ending, and most of all the chapters written from the point of view of the painting. They really hampered my enjoyment of the book. Overall a good premise and interesting characters but with too much going on. There was enough good here that with some big cuts it could have been a really good story.
Como digo aos meus amigos que a solidão marca cada um dos meus movimentos e que uma sensação de desolação me pesa no coração? A minha mágoa não se assemelha a uma nuvem ou a uma atmosfera: tem um peso físico e uma presença concreta. Por vezes, assume a forma de um cobertor pesado, ou de pesos minúsculos suspensos de cada dedo, lóbulo e pestana; ou pode ser um pedregulho, ou uma mala de viagem que tem de ser empurrada ou arrastada.
Tenho reparado que, assim que as pessoas enriquecem e alcançam os seus desejos terrenos, entram num vazio espiritual doloroso. Poucas pessoas abastadas se voltam para a religião. De que serve isso, se é mais fácil um camelo passar pelo buraco de uma agulha do que um rico ir para o céu?
Nada enlouquece mais os homens do que a incapacidade de possuir.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the contrast between fine art and food. The painting that inspired and endured for centuries, what having it means to different people and who values it. Also, Annie, the main character, being passionate and meticulous about preparing her feasts. The feasts are enjoyed, savored, and left with barely a trace. Beauty and art come in so many forms and speak to people in so many different ways. I was drawn into this story and was anxious to see what would happen. Enjoyable read. Three and a half.