colinreedmoon's review
3.0
What it lacks in passion it doesn't really make up for elsewhere, despite its magnificent prose. I never felt so distanced from the action of a book written in present tense.
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
I shouldn't like this as much as I do. Aside from the fact that it takes place in a world rife with personal triggers, it centers on the kind of character for whom I have little tolerance: a young, gifted, golden girl, who gets nearly everything she wants because of her beauty and charm and how she shamelessly uses others -- and they love her for it. She doesn't struggle, not really, and she embodies the slightly older and more sophisticated manic pixie dreamgirl trope. This is even underscored by the fascination with which the narrator paints her antics.
So what is there to like? She is our gateway into the turns of the art world, but the culture and people and pretense and game of it all are really where the narrative is grounded. That's the closest I can come to understanding my own appreciation -- at least presently. Now please excuse me while I revisit [b:Seven Days in the Art World|6988014|Seven Days in the Art World|Sarah Thornton|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358748500s/6988014.jpg|3502133].
audiobook note: Campbell Scott's reading is almost docile -- but in a manner that expertly fits the near dream-like tone of all that happens. The narrative voice is fittingly dazed -- by events, yes, but even more so by an unhealthy attachment that he knows holds himself back but he can't bring himself to quit. His performance earned the fourth star.
So what is there to like? She is our gateway into the turns of the art world, but the culture and people and pretense and game of it all are really where the narrative is grounded. That's the closest I can come to understanding my own appreciation -- at least presently. Now please excuse me while I revisit [b:Seven Days in the Art World|6988014|Seven Days in the Art World|Sarah Thornton|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358748500s/6988014.jpg|3502133].
audiobook note: Campbell Scott's reading is almost docile -- but in a manner that expertly fits the near dream-like tone of all that happens. The narrative voice is fittingly dazed -- by events, yes, but even more so by an unhealthy attachment that he knows holds himself back but he can't bring himself to quit. His performance earned the fourth star.
pgogo93's review
3.0
Art, sex, money, NYC, and love-- well, sort of. What more could one ask for? As an art history major, future resident of New York, and hopefully someday a curator-- it's as if Martin took my dreams and intesified them. I loved this book from start to finish and wanted to be "Lacey Yeager" page after page, after page-- you get the point. I couldn't put it down but sadly had to in other to deal with life's other demands. It is a great read! Refreshing, sassy, and educational. I may read "Shopgirl". I haven't quite decided because as of now, "Swan Thieves" is calling and I must answer Kostova.
charlottefauchon's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jenn_stark's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Shopgirl's still my favourite from Steve Martin :) Enjoyed this one too, even though everything I know about the New York art scene, I learned from this book :)
aetataureate's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this is a beautifully written book about a really interesting topic.
hughesgalen's review
4.0
Not only does Steve Martin have a talent for acting and playing the banjo, but he is an excellent writer. I found myself captivated by Lacy and where her art dealing career might take her next. The backdrop of 90s NYC galleries as the century turned was absolutely incredible and I felt fully immersed in the culture. I’m not really the most appreciative of art, so at times this was a slow burn for me, but it made me want to explore lower Manhattan galleries. I’d recommend to anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in a story.
offbalance80's review
4.0
Martin continues to be an engaging writer, and fans of his should definitely pick this up. However, he still doesn't quite know how to bring his characters in from arm's length - the narrator was basically a cipher, and Lacey Yeager, the center of the piece, also feels as flat as the paintings she's dealing in. He spends ages talking about the art world, relaying small anecdotes and vignettes, but I wish he'd spent more time on the intrigue that was flirted with, promised, and eventually mentioned towards the end. That would have definitely made for a five-star title. But the artworks printed on the pages amongst the story, as colorful as Lacey Yeager wishes she was, as well as Martin's gift with prose make this worth reading.
freshkatsu's review
3.0
Here's the million dollar question:
Without googling the respective http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/7907803-an-object-of-beautyartist of the below artworks, what do you think is the similarity between them?
First off, paintings!
Now sculptures.
Ok I'm tired, I originally planned to do an installation, mixed media art comparison as well. Like I said, TIRED.
Ready?
For the paintings, the first one is Renoir's Le Moulin de la Galette, and the second one de Kooning's Woman 3. Both are some of the most expensive works on this planet, around 140 millions each.
Sculptures: First one is Rodin's Le Penseur (more commonly known as the thinker) and the second one Jeff Koons' Woman in Tub. During the global financial crisis post 9/11, the Rodin was estimated at 1.5 million while the Koons sold for 1.7.
You may say, 'both the painting and sculpture pairs are around the same price, so what? I would still rather buy the Playboy mansion with that money and decorate it with purple dinosaur wallpaper. Plus I think Koons would look much better on my floor than Rodin.'
If those were your thoughts, then congratulation! You're probably above all these art world commerce, and thus can just skip the book and go watch TV!
If you want to know more about why, and how do old masters and contemporary art sell so well even though it's likely nobody understands Koons (unless you're an art school graduate, in which it's very unlikely you'll be able to afford it anyway), then An Object of Beauty is probably a good start.
The main problem I have with it is also its subject matter (art world commerce, namely big names auction brands such as Sotheby and Christie). Lacey is an up and coming art dealer in New York, and she is determined to ride with the great art bubble that started in the yuppie era of the early 90s. Since the book spans over a period of 20 years, it's not hard to guess when, and what caused the bubble to break, along with the 'shocking' sales during the time. It kind of frustrates me that I can't show off my awesome knowledge of ridiculous art sales here because of spoiler, but you get the idea.
It must be quite different to read the book as a non-art world participant, because most of the time I already knew the outcome of the 'twists'. The commerce-oriented take on NY's art scene is also somewhat not as 'shocking' for those familiar with the system. On top of that, the writing also parodies the materialistic and passionless 'I don't make art I make money' attitude. Even the sex scenes feel like reading a shopping list.
Anyway, I'm probably just giving it 2 stars because I'm all pretentious and think contemporary shit art for shit art's sake still has value other than a price tag. Who knows?
Without googling the respective http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/7907803-an-object-of-beautyartist of the below artworks, what do you think is the similarity between them?
First off, paintings!
Now sculptures.
Ok I'm tired, I originally planned to do an installation, mixed media art comparison as well. Like I said, TIRED.
Ready?
For the paintings, the first one is Renoir's Le Moulin de la Galette, and the second one de Kooning's Woman 3. Both are some of the most expensive works on this planet, around 140 millions each.
Sculptures: First one is Rodin's Le Penseur (more commonly known as the thinker) and the second one Jeff Koons' Woman in Tub. During the global financial crisis post 9/11, the Rodin was estimated at 1.5 million while the Koons sold for 1.7.
You may say, 'both the painting and sculpture pairs are around the same price, so what? I would still rather buy the Playboy mansion with that money and decorate it with purple dinosaur wallpaper. Plus I think Koons would look much better on my floor than Rodin.'
If those were your thoughts, then congratulation! You're probably above all these art world commerce, and thus can just skip the book and go watch TV!
If you want to know more about why, and how do old masters and contemporary art sell so well even though it's likely nobody understands Koons (unless you're an art school graduate, in which it's very unlikely you'll be able to afford it anyway), then An Object of Beauty is probably a good start.
The main problem I have with it is also its subject matter (art world commerce, namely big names auction brands such as Sotheby and Christie). Lacey is an up and coming art dealer in New York, and she is determined to ride with the great art bubble that started in the yuppie era of the early 90s. Since the book spans over a period of 20 years, it's not hard to guess when, and what caused the bubble to break, along with the 'shocking' sales during the time. It kind of frustrates me that I can't show off my awesome knowledge of ridiculous art sales here because of spoiler, but you get the idea.
It must be quite different to read the book as a non-art world participant, because most of the time I already knew the outcome of the 'twists'. The commerce-oriented take on NY's art scene is also somewhat not as 'shocking' for those familiar with the system. On top of that, the writing also parodies the materialistic and passionless 'I don't make art I make money' attitude. Even the sex scenes feel like reading a shopping list.
Anyway, I'm probably just giving it 2 stars because I'm all pretentious and think contemporary shit art for shit art's sake still has value other than a price tag. Who knows?