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hcox's review against another edition
Beautifully written and Steve Martin clearly, based on his own experience, understands art curating/collecting. But I found the subject and protagonist to be uninteresting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
kstar902's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about Lacey, who rises in the art world in New York City, as told by her friend, who works in that same field. I like Martin's storytelling style. The book held my interest.
shybane's review against another edition
4.0
t's no secret that I'm in love with Steve Martin. I will likely watch anything, read anything, or listen to anything by him. I'm biased, but he is an excellent author and he is able to bring characters alive on a page. However, in this novel, it was the bit players that seemed to shine more brightly than the Lacey or the narrator. One character, inhales his food before actually eating; as if he were take a whiff of wine. Another, character, so enamored by Lacey, also jumps from the page as well. You can feel his pain and he navigates the turbulent water that is Lacey. The only drawback from these amazing bit players, is that they steal from the main character. Did he do this on person? It is also an interesting look at the art world; from the early 90's, just before the art boom to the dawn of the "Great Recession." I love that he include prints of actual paintings on the pages. He describes the art with loving detail - makes me want to go visit the local museum (although I have yet to have found a museum that has moved me like the Art Institute). He knows what he is writing - apparently, he has an amazing collection. I recommend...
angelaf's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I thoroughly enjoyed the art discussions and insight into the art market offered in An Object of Beauty. However, the remainder of the book just wasn't for me. All of the characters are unlikeable, and the novel has a harsh, edgy tone that rarely works for me. I honestly should have DNF'ed early on, but soldiered on because of the art content. Read if you enjoy: unlikeable characters, character-driven novels, art market
murph_the_serf's review against another edition
3.0
I expected more given Steve Martin's first two novels but this book gets so bogged down in the art world I lost interest many times. Martin's love and knowledge of the fine art world shines through but he goes off on trips describing works of art or detailing how an art sale operates. It was an interesting glimpse at first but after three quarters of the way into the book I wasn't looking for yet another lesson on a specific piece.
I absolutely loved Martin's first two books but I felt like I was being taught a lesson that I didn't ask for in this one. It still had aspects to appreciate (he's that good of an author) but overall I was not thrilled.
I absolutely loved Martin's first two books but I felt like I was being taught a lesson that I didn't ask for in this one. It still had aspects to appreciate (he's that good of an author) but overall I was not thrilled.
tangodiva's review against another edition
2.0
Started out really good but fizzled at the end. I enjoyed the mockery chapters on Miami's Art Basel.
I had many friends who worked the art world in the 1990s. I wish I could say this rang a little more true, even though it is clearly a satire.
I had many friends who worked the art world in the 1990s. I wish I could say this rang a little more true, even though it is clearly a satire.
dlabau's review against another edition
4.0
It just isn't fair that an actor as talented as Steve Martin can also write. I liked this book.
littlegreens's review against another edition
3.0
At first I loved the book, but as it continued on I found it to be a bit repetitive and boring. The characters are flat and it didn't have anybody to relate to. Albeit glamorous, I retract any recommendations I made to read it.