crafalsk264 's review for:

The Art of Vanishing: A Novel by Morgan Pager

3.75

challenging emotional hopeful slow-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: Yes

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Claire is a new maintenance employee with the Museum. As she dusts, mops, and polishes she studies the art she’s surrounded by—especially her favorite subject, Jean Matisse, son of Henri. Her chosen painting of his includes a man-handsome, well dressed, with a curiosity he  ached to explore. Claire begins to talk to the subjects of the art and to herself when she needs a friend. 

Jean has been frozen in his father’s painting. Jean observes the comings and goings not only by regular visitors but by other artists seeking to study and admire Henri’s work. Once Claire begins to talk with the subjects of the art, it is only a matter of time. But things begin to change when Jean begins to talk back. Both are shocked to discover they can talk to each other. It’s only a matter of time before they discover they can also touch and Claire can enter the painting like Alice through the Looking Glass. 

The love affair that develops is especially touching and their “real lives” begin to suffer. On Jean’s side, they explore how other painting subjects live in their realities. As they continue falling in love amid parties, horse racing, and on the beach. But things begin to change. When the museum is threatened by budget constraints and temporarily closes due the COVID lockdown, the characters in the paintings suppose that there has been a catastrophic event to force their admirers to stay away. Some believe that there is another war, riots and conflicts, all things they have been witness to but not as participants. But the most disturbing are the questions about love, acceptance and fear.

This book has a wonderful premise. One that I don’t remember reading before. The characters are the heart of the book and I came to want more for them. The setting of a museum, and to paintings, in order to provide limitations on those characters was done well. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to more from its author. Recommend to readers of romance, fantasy, magical realism, historical fiction, art, contemporary adult fiction.