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A review by amyvl93
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
f you watched and enjoyed Succession, but thought that Logan Roy just wasn't quite vile enough, The Exhibitionist may be for you!
This novel follows the gathering of the Hanrahan family at the family home ahead of the patriarch Ray, one-time famous artist, launches his first art show in many, many years. We are introduced to Lucia, his wife who has put her arguably more successful career on hold; Patrick, his stepson who longs for a life outside of the family home; Jess, his daughter who has fled from London to Scotland to avoid her family and Leah, his (strangely) devoted other daughter. Alongside the core family are Jess' wet blanket husband, Ray's brother and his family, his ex-wife amongst many others.
I was enjoying this to begin with, I liked the nuanced time we spend with Lucia and Jess in particular - the latter grappling with potential motherhood and the former with her sexuality were both interesting. However, it did start to become overly repetitive and noodley with little point. I also struggled to fully understand some of the character motivations here - especially Leah whose character I never felt we really got to understand. Ray's general vile personality also didn't appear to have any nuance - I don't mind unlikeable characters but I like to be able to at least understand their motivations and Ray was just...horrific. I didn't enjoy spending time with him at all.
Whilst an interesting character study, The Exhibitionist didn't quite give me the pay off I wanted it to.
This novel follows the gathering of the Hanrahan family at the family home ahead of the patriarch Ray, one-time famous artist, launches his first art show in many, many years. We are introduced to Lucia, his wife who has put her arguably more successful career on hold; Patrick, his stepson who longs for a life outside of the family home; Jess, his daughter who has fled from London to Scotland to avoid her family and Leah, his (strangely) devoted other daughter. Alongside the core family are Jess' wet blanket husband, Ray's brother and his family, his ex-wife amongst many others.
I was enjoying this to begin with, I liked the nuanced time we spend with Lucia and Jess in particular - the latter grappling with potential motherhood and the former with her sexuality were both interesting. However, it did start to become overly repetitive and noodley with little point. I also struggled to fully understand some of the character motivations here - especially Leah whose character I never felt we really got to understand. Ray's general vile personality also didn't appear to have any nuance - I don't mind unlikeable characters but I like to be able to at least understand their motivations and Ray was just...horrific. I didn't enjoy spending time with him at all.
Whilst an interesting character study, The Exhibitionist didn't quite give me the pay off I wanted it to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Cancer
Minor: Suicide