Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book. It started out slow but about 60 pages in, it clicked for me and I couldn't read it fast enough. I enjoyed how it was written....going back and forth from past to present. The past primarily represented by letters of Belle Gardner and the present, the meat of the story, which included the forgery or as it was referred to, a copy of a copy. One of the things that struck me as so true is we often see only what we want to see and that we all have lines we are willing to cross for whatever reason...we just have to figure how far we will go.
Though this book is based on an actual event most of it is fictional but there was a lot of accuracies regarding art, the art world, paints, textures and forgery techniques; maybe more than most people want to know but I found it fascinating. I definitely recommend this book to others.
Though this book is based on an actual event most of it is fictional but there was a lot of accuracies regarding art, the art world, paints, textures and forgery techniques; maybe more than most people want to know but I found it fascinating. I definitely recommend this book to others.
Helpful Score: 1
A book that intrigues me from page one doesn't happen very often and this one pulled me in immediately. I love a story that combines real people and true events like the 21 year old, $500 million dollar unsolved art theft from a Boston museum with a fictional storyline about Clare, a young talented artist struggling to make a name for herself. This is a "can't put it down" book and I loved it!
Interesting story about how art forgers operate and about the big heist, including After the Bath by Degas. More technical than I wanted but still very good.
Well written and intriguing. Knowledge of art world is extensive and passed on to the reader.
Written in the first person, this novel will entertain and inform you about the intricacies of the art world. It is a dark world indeed, and reading this book lessened my appreciation for the masterpieces on display in famous museums throughout the world. I gave it a 4 instead of 5 due to the tone of the protagonist's thoughts-- she seems to have questionable ethics and a whiny victim viewpoint in romance and business dealings that I did not like. I found this tone and attitude versus her supposed degree of talent and expertise quite incompatible in today's world. However, that's a personal bias that did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying the book for its informational and entertainment value. A worthwhile read!
For fans of "White Collar" this is a great read. It explains how art forgers can get away with their forged master pieces!!
Interesting premise: "We can only talk about the bad forgeries, the ones that have been detected. The good ones are still hanging on museum walls." Claire's life work is copying masterpieces. Not only is she good at it, she has learned how to spot a forgery. When asked to "copy" a stolen piece or is it a forgery, she is caught up in her own web of lies and deception. The explanations of how it is done cause the writing to be a bit dry. The unusual premise, though, made up for it and I became caught up in the webs.
Brilliantly conceived. Engrossing. Well-plotted and interesting. Can't wait for the author's next work!
Great subject matter - Shapiro really does her research on how to forge a work of art! Fascinating. She also does a great job with the mystery end of the narrative as well.
