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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Very well written book.
The book alternated between a few perspectives.
There is ofcourse Annie, who bought the painting in a junk shop.
There is the crowd of art collectors who want to buy the painting.
There's the painting itself.
And finally, there is the story of how the painting wound up in that junk shop.
The story focuses on both love and art, and it talks about the extremes people are willing to go to for each.
The book alternated between a few perspectives.
There is ofcourse Annie, who bought the painting in a junk shop.
There is the crowd of art collectors who want to buy the painting.
There's the painting itself.
And finally, there is the story of how the painting wound up in that junk shop.
The story focuses on both love and art, and it talks about the extremes people are willing to go to for each.
I loved the premise of this book. The execution however wasn't fantastic. It felt kind of rushed and there seemed like there wasn't enough detail. I liked the multiple perspectives but there were either too many perspectives for the length of the book or she needed to make it longer. The perspective of the painting was definitely my favourite parts. I loved hearing about its history! I would have really enjoyed if that was all the book was.
I definitely enjoyed it and it was a nice light read but totally not sure why it was nominated for the Baileys prize.
I definitely enjoyed it and it was a nice light read but totally not sure why it was nominated for the Baileys prize.
When Annie, an aspiring chef who's moved to London after a bad breakup, discovers a priceless painting in a junk shop, she's plunged into a world of intrigue, danger, and colorful characters including an exiled Russian titan, a scheming art dealer, and a penniless earl. Except it's unclear how all these characters are supposed to be integrated into the plot.
The Improbability of Love feels a bit like the literary equivalent of one of those people who tries to take full advantage of the salad bar and stuffs so many different foodstuffs in there that the salad actually doesn't taste very good. There's just too many characters and too many kinds of stories for the book to really come together as a cohesive whole. Many of these choices would be interesting on their own, like Barty, the socialite who makes his living by teaching wealthy expatriates how best to spend their money, or the decision to have the painting occasionally narrate a chapter. Together, however, the book shifts restlessly from plot to plot and nothing really seems to get enough attention and development. The writing also has an unfortunate habit of telling and not showing the reader, and many of the characters seem underdeveloped and thin as a result. We're told over and over that one character is in love with the other but never why . Ultimately, an intriguing premise but rather disappointing.
The Improbability of Love feels a bit like the literary equivalent of one of those people who tries to take full advantage of the salad bar and stuffs so many different foodstuffs in there that the salad actually doesn't taste very good. There's just too many characters and too many kinds of stories for the book to really come together as a cohesive whole. Many of these choices would be interesting on their own, like Barty, the socialite who makes his living by teaching wealthy expatriates how best to spend their money, or the decision to have the painting occasionally narrate a chapter. Together, however, the book shifts restlessly from plot to plot and nothing really seems to get enough attention and development. The writing also has an unfortunate habit of telling and not showing the reader, and many of the characters seem underdeveloped and thin as a result. We're told over and over that one character is in love with the other but never why . Ultimately, an intriguing premise but rather disappointing.
adventurous
reflective
fast-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:
Complicated
I neither loved nor hated this book. But I do believe it’s the first time I’ve ever read a book where some of the chapters were narrated by a painting.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't read a lot of fiction, especially ones that have the word "love" in the title; however, due to a good review, I picked a copy from the library. I was impressed.
Yes, there is a love story, but it is one of many storylines incorporated throughout the novel. It centers on a fictional painting by a real artists, and the quest for its ownership. Beyond the love story, and the history of the painting, is the story of how art was as is used: as a way to impressive others, as an investment, and yes, as a way to inspire and show love.
I thought the interplay of the story lines was extremely well done, though some of the characters at the beginning, which a great amount of time was spent, turned out to be minor players in the overall scheme. The ending got close to bordering on fan fiction (in my opinion) still had me hooked, and I rapidly devoured every page.
I think the book was well written and very much worth reading.
Yes, there is a love story, but it is one of many storylines incorporated throughout the novel. It centers on a fictional painting by a real artists, and the quest for its ownership. Beyond the love story, and the history of the painting, is the story of how art was as is used: as a way to impressive others, as an investment, and yes, as a way to inspire and show love.
I thought the interplay of the story lines was extremely well done, though some of the characters at the beginning, which a great amount of time was spent, turned out to be minor players in the overall scheme. The ending got close to bordering on fan fiction (in my opinion) still had me hooked, and I rapidly devoured every page.
I think the book was well written and very much worth reading.
There are books you are just drawn to without explanation. It was like that for me when I saw this tome. I was expecting a light, fluffy romance that would serve as a palate cleanser between heavier tomes. Instead I found notes of a thriller that sometimes lurked and other times hovered over what would otherwise have been an unmemorable read. As the book raced towards its climax I found myself unable to put it down. And while the loose ends were tidied up neatly and succinctly, I enjoyed the book's denouement.
Tacky characterisation and gimmicky writing style. A disappointing read for an excellent premise.
I found that postcard in between the pages of a Harry Potter book during my inama expedition and it seems very appropriate with the theme and plot of this book. It's a print of the 1856 painting termed 'Over the fence' by Frederick Morgan. I usually just look at it and I have this lovely feelings erupt in me.
The Improbability of Love is a satire about the wealthy - and sometimes sinister - world of international art collecting. The tale is written in the third person omniscient point of view given that the author let's us know what the characters are thinking. The canvas itself is given a voice, relating its provenance in arch, self-satisfied tones. It's shrewd, spoiled, charming, world weary and cynical, he comments perceptively on Annie, and the modern world and tells tales about his previous owners: Louis XV, Voltaire, Catherine the Great among others.
Characters: the tale has quite a number of characters who contribute to the plot development but the main characters remains Annie, the painting & the Winkleman family. All raw, candid, flawed add that realism. The story is more character based rather than plot based but at some point they go hand in hand.
Symbolism: food, Pierrot, Winkleman family photo
The Improbability of Love is a satire about the wealthy - and sometimes sinister - world of international art collecting. The tale is written in the third person omniscient point of view given that the author let's us know what the characters are thinking. The canvas itself is given a voice, relating its provenance in arch, self-satisfied tones. It's shrewd, spoiled, charming, world weary and cynical, he comments perceptively on Annie, and the modern world and tells tales about his previous owners: Louis XV, Voltaire, Catherine the Great among others.
Characters: the tale has quite a number of characters who contribute to the plot development but the main characters remains Annie, the painting & the Winkleman family. All raw, candid, flawed add that realism. The story is more character based rather than plot based but at some point they go hand in hand.
Symbolism: food, Pierrot, Winkleman family photo
liked the main character but too many others that weren't necessary with tedious background.