Scan barcode
A review by byashleylamar
A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock
4.0
One of the things I loved about A Fine Imitation is the double meaning of the title. On one hand it refers to the theme of trying to force ourselves to fit in a predetermined mold set by society. On the other it refers to the art forgery that runs as a parallel storyline. Readers can analyze the dual meanings of the title as they wish but those two themes really stood out to me.
I did find myself increasingly frustrated by the main character, Vera (Longacre) Bellington. The book told Vera’s story chapter by chapter through alternating timelines (1913 vs 1923). As I read through her life in 1913 I kept wishing I could just reach through the pages, grab her by the shoulders, and shake some sense in to her. I wanted her to grow a backbone, stand up to her mother, recognize the bad influence of her friend, and for God’s sake, be honest with Cliff! In the 1923 storyline, I felt the same way but for completely different reasons. She frustrated me so much yet I sympathized with her and kept hoping she would make the right decision about her life. Whether she ultimately does or does not is up to the reader but I felt like the ending fit her characterization.
Some readers will see that I felt frustrated by Vera and think it’s a negative toward the book but it isn’t. Any time an author can make me feel toward a character, either good or bad, it is a credit to the author and a sign of a good book.
My biggest frustration with A Fine Imitation was the ending surrounding the artist, Emil Hallon. His story felt like it wrapped up too quickly and I didn’t feel like I was given the time I wanted to really revel in his reveal and soak it all up. I wanted at least a chapter or two that allowed me to process his background and identity. I wanted more of him in the end. There was an epilogue which offered resolution to the story and the structure of the story and the epilogue made sense but I still felt like I wanted more.
Then again, that’s a good thing too, right? A sign of a good story is to leave the audience wanting more, and I definitely wanted more.
I did find myself increasingly frustrated by the main character, Vera (Longacre) Bellington. The book told Vera’s story chapter by chapter through alternating timelines (1913 vs 1923). As I read through her life in 1913 I kept wishing I could just reach through the pages, grab her by the shoulders, and shake some sense in to her. I wanted her to grow a backbone, stand up to her mother, recognize the bad influence of her friend, and for God’s sake, be honest with Cliff! In the 1923 storyline, I felt the same way but for completely different reasons. She frustrated me so much yet I sympathized with her and kept hoping she would make the right decision about her life. Whether she ultimately does or does not is up to the reader but I felt like the ending fit her characterization.
Some readers will see that I felt frustrated by Vera and think it’s a negative toward the book but it isn’t. Any time an author can make me feel toward a character, either good or bad, it is a credit to the author and a sign of a good book.
My biggest frustration with A Fine Imitation was the ending surrounding the artist, Emil Hallon. His story felt like it wrapped up too quickly and I didn’t feel like I was given the time I wanted to really revel in his reveal and soak it all up. I wanted at least a chapter or two that allowed me to process his background and identity. I wanted more of him in the end. There was an epilogue which offered resolution to the story and the structure of the story and the epilogue made sense but I still felt like I wanted more.
Then again, that’s a good thing too, right? A sign of a good story is to leave the audience wanting more, and I definitely wanted more.