The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
elysahenegar's review against another edition
3.0
Heartfelt and well-written exploration of the post-WWII time when people tragically searched for lost parts of their lives, including lost loved ones. Houghteling focuses on the looting of Europe, particularly France, and develops her themes around her protagonist's search for his family's lost art collection. Deep sadness runs like a river beneath this story, but it is very engaging and well worth reading!
andrea_m93's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
anniew415's review against another edition
2.0
Confusing, odd, and difficult to follow at the end. While the history aspect was very compelling for an art lover, the characters just seemed fevered and manic. Then there's an epilogue where they all seem to have moved on with life and it's all done, but there's a mystery woman at an auction and a painting is gifted? I didn't get it, I guess...
joli_folie's review against another edition
1.0
This book was on my recommended list and when I read the review I was excited about the prospects of this book.
Unfortunately it was a huge disappointment and I have given up about half way through. In reading others reviews I came upon one that suggested 3 books with the similar topic, (Monuments Men, Rescuing da Vinci, and The Rape of Europa) all of which I read and rated highly and THOUGHT that this would be along those lines. Don't waste your time with this one and make sure you read the other 3.
autumn_dannay's review against another edition
4.0
Even though there are a myriad of negative reviews for this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. At first it was hard for me to understand- Max Berenzon definitely qualifies as an unreliable narrator- but I caught on to his way of "thinking." I became engrossed in the book as soon as the War ended. I couldn't put it down, I couldn't stop talking about it at the dinner table with my family, and when I finished it, I felt as if the story had ended well. Maybe not happily, but well.
kfrench1008's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting story of Paris during and after the War.
gawronma's review against another edition
2.0
The book was inconsistant and my quick note on it indicated that I found it to be ok to just good.
appletonkelli's review against another edition
4.0
When I realized that this story of a Jewish art dealer's family would be taking me into the days of World War 2 occupation I almost put it aside. I just felt like I could not handle concentration camps and death and loss and heartbreak. It's hard enough to face it in nonfiction, I was not up to letting it take center stage in my escapist fiction literature too. But, true to my vow to myself that every book deserves at least 80 pages before I give up on it, I persevered. I was very glad that I did.
This author does treat the suffering of Parisians during German occupation with compassion and honesty, but the real center of this book is what became of the art. What became of the art in public museums and what became of the art owned by private citizens? If you believe that this topic is better left to the history books and would be a yawner of a subject for a novel, reconsider and give this book a chance to prove you wrong.
I really did not find anything objectionable in this book. It deals with the cruelty of German occupation, love in time of war, and family secrets.
This author does treat the suffering of Parisians during German occupation with compassion and honesty, but the real center of this book is what became of the art. What became of the art in public museums and what became of the art owned by private citizens? If you believe that this topic is better left to the history books and would be a yawner of a subject for a novel, reconsider and give this book a chance to prove you wrong.
I really did not find anything objectionable in this book. It deals with the cruelty of German occupation, love in time of war, and family secrets.
eberico's review against another edition
3.0
A2BC book club pick for January 2011
This was the first book I read for the book club I'm joining this month. The author did her MFA at Michigan while my friend who made this month's pick was working on her PhD in the same department.
I wanted to like this book more than I ended up actually liking it. I loved the rich portrayal of the art scene in Paris between the wars. I felt like many of the characters were overly contrived. I cared more about the paintings than the protagonist. I'm looking forward to this week's discussion.
This was the first book I read for the book club I'm joining this month. The author did her MFA at Michigan while my friend who made this month's pick was working on her PhD in the same department.
I wanted to like this book more than I ended up actually liking it. I loved the rich portrayal of the art scene in Paris between the wars. I felt like many of the characters were overly contrived. I cared more about the paintings than the protagonist. I'm looking forward to this week's discussion.
bridgette_'s review against another edition
3.5
An intricately designed novel of impressionistic and post-impressionistic arts as a metaphor to anti-semitism and Jewish people themselves during WW2.