Scan barcode
honeywhiskey's review
2.0
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am this book’s target audience: obsessed with art history and travel. I’ve even been to many of the places in Europe where the characters go. Unfortunately, The Art of Traveling Strangers didn’t strike the chord with me that I expected. Bouncing back and forth from factual monologues about art and introspective monologues about Claire’s loves lost, the story doesn’t find a cohesive rhythm. Firstly, the characters are introduced in the present time with little to no real introduction to the plot, then the author takes us back for a quarter of the book to the main characters failed marriage and affair. All other flashbacks are sudden and randomly spaced in the narrative. The end seemed a little too tidy, but necessary to wrap up what could only be described as slow, plodding, slice of life story. I would definitely read more from the author in the future, but felt a little let down by this debut.
I am this book’s target audience: obsessed with art history and travel. I’ve even been to many of the places in Europe where the characters go. Unfortunately, The Art of Traveling Strangers didn’t strike the chord with me that I expected. Bouncing back and forth from factual monologues about art and introspective monologues about Claire’s loves lost, the story doesn’t find a cohesive rhythm. Firstly, the characters are introduced in the present time with little to no real introduction to the plot, then the author takes us back for a quarter of the book to the main characters failed marriage and affair. All other flashbacks are sudden and randomly spaced in the narrative. The end seemed a little too tidy, but necessary to wrap up what could only be described as slow, plodding, slice of life story. I would definitely read more from the author in the future, but felt a little let down by this debut.
caffeinereadreview's review
3.0
Wouldn't we all like to escape to Europe after some kind of heartbreak?
Blurb-
It’s the 1980s, and art historian Claire Markham reels from a series of heartbreaking losses. Desperate to escape her shattered reality, she becomes an art guide in Europe for quirky stranger Viv Chancey and embarks on a life-changing journey through the art-filled cities of Milan, Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Siena, Rome, and Paris. Once abroad, Claire tries to hide her woes by focusing on Viv’s art education, but Viv—who is not who she seems—has a different learning experience in mind. Frustrated and wanting to reimagine her life, Claire embraces the idea of reality as illusion and finds herself slipping into the tales of art and history. When threatened with one more crushing loss, Claire must learn from the spirit of her eccentric companion and the lessons from the art they encounter to take charge of her life or lose the most precious thing in it. The Art of Traveling Strangers is a journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment inspired by the great art masterpieces of Italy and France. It’s a tale of female bonding and the amazing powers of perception. After all, reality, like art, is just an illusion.
First off the descriptions of the places and the works of art were **chefs kiss** great. I understand the setting of the 80s is likely due to the author's time spent doing tours in Europe and she’s pulling from her experiences but there were some bits and pieces that I thought could have been addressed differently for today's readers. The female characters were not as likable as I hoped they’d be so I wasn't really invested in their bonding and journey as I’d like to have been.
Overall it was a nice read, especially if you enjoy traveling or art history.
Thank you NetGalley and Zoe Disigny for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blurb-
It’s the 1980s, and art historian Claire Markham reels from a series of heartbreaking losses. Desperate to escape her shattered reality, she becomes an art guide in Europe for quirky stranger Viv Chancey and embarks on a life-changing journey through the art-filled cities of Milan, Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Siena, Rome, and Paris. Once abroad, Claire tries to hide her woes by focusing on Viv’s art education, but Viv—who is not who she seems—has a different learning experience in mind. Frustrated and wanting to reimagine her life, Claire embraces the idea of reality as illusion and finds herself slipping into the tales of art and history. When threatened with one more crushing loss, Claire must learn from the spirit of her eccentric companion and the lessons from the art they encounter to take charge of her life or lose the most precious thing in it. The Art of Traveling Strangers is a journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment inspired by the great art masterpieces of Italy and France. It’s a tale of female bonding and the amazing powers of perception. After all, reality, like art, is just an illusion.
First off the descriptions of the places and the works of art were **chefs kiss** great. I understand the setting of the 80s is likely due to the author's time spent doing tours in Europe and she’s pulling from her experiences but there were some bits and pieces that I thought could have been addressed differently for today's readers. The female characters were not as likable as I hoped they’d be so I wasn't really invested in their bonding and journey as I’d like to have been.
Overall it was a nice read, especially if you enjoy traveling or art history.
Thank you NetGalley and Zoe Disigny for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
maria_hossain's review
5.0
After a long, long time, I read a woman's fiction novel of my heart. From the beginning to the end, I never once felt bored or irritated or confused. I've never read anything by the author, Zoe Disigny, but from now on, I will. This is a book that celebrates female friendship, liberation, and dreams. Not once it preaches feminist mottos, but not once does it stop supporting all that I mentioned above.
THE ART OF TRAVELING STRANGERS is a woman's fiction novel set in the 1980s about an art history professor, Claire Markham, whose marriage is in some deep trouble. Her husband, Kurt, is low-key mentally, psychologically, and emotionally abusive, to the point he leaves her and his nine-year-old daughter to the cold. He constantly tries to manipulate, belittle, and control Claire to the point she's a mousy doormat whenever she's around him. This forces Claire, a love-starved lonely woman, to start an affair with her married psychiatrist, Alec, who proves to be a coward in the end. On top of that, Claire is also underappreciated and underpaid at her work, where her male colleagues of lesser skills get more than they deserve. Heartbroken and disappointed, Claire accepts an offer from one of her students, another married woman and a mother of one, Scarlet Vivien Chancey, to become her art guide on a tour to several cities in France and Italy. While touring the museums and shopping malls equally, Claire comes to learn that Viv is not the ditzy, floozy, dumb blonde she assumed at first, and that all that you see on the surface are not what you get when you dive deeper.
What I loved about this book comes multifold. As someone who loves to travel but hates the physical labor of traveling, this book is for me. I lived vicariously through this book and its simple yet vivid descriptions of beautiful cities in France and Italy. Claire and Viv embrace all the opportunities that present themselves to them while on this trip. Their visits to some of the world's most famous paintings, murals, and sculptures told me a lot about the art history of Europe. As an art historian herself, the author describes everything about the various periods in simple language that you won't need a dictionary to understand. Even the historical context of the things Claire and Viv visit are fascinating to learn. On top of that, the art descriptions aren't fillers or showoff. They provide valuable context and encouragement to the main story itself. The tales of several powerful women of Europe's history help with Claire and Viv's character arcs.
Another thing I loved about this book is how it champions female friendship, liberation, and dreams. Claire and Viv aren't like each other in most ways. Claire is an academic while Viv is a shopaholic who only finds pleasure from clothes, makeup, shopping, and likewise. Claire is a pessimist while Viv is an optimist. Claire prefers artistic things while Viv would like nothing but the luxuries of life. In many more ways, they aren't the same. However, deep down, they are. Both are protective mothers and affection-starved daughters. They both love their families and would go to any lengths to protect and take care of them. I also loved how, despite their surface differences, Claire and Viv come to learn more about each other and support, uplift, and help each other during their individually difficult times. Viv helps Claire face her abusive husband, her emotionally distant mother, the turbulent history of her parents, and the heartbreaking tale of her affair with Alec. Meanwhile, Claire helps Viv reconcile with her estranged brother, learn to appreciate art, and realize the gray shades of life. They both grow and help each other grow, no cat-fights or snide remarks about each other. I love how refreshing it is, especially for a book set in the 1980s.
I also love how it discusses female dreams and liberation. Although not physically abusive, Claire's husband abuses her a lot. Claire finds liberation from a toxic marriage and saves herself and her daughter from a life of oppression and manipulation. She also comes to learn more sides of her skills and expands her dreams. Claire begins to break out of the shell Kurt had imprisoned her once and learn to appreciate her dreams more, to the point she's ready to move from one continent to another. I love it when women do not give up on their dreams and instead pursues them single-mindedly and passionately. Why should men only get to pursue their dreams?
Thank you, NetGalley and Amplify Publishing Group, Subplot Publishing, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
THE ART OF TRAVELING STRANGERS is a woman's fiction novel set in the 1980s about an art history professor, Claire Markham, whose marriage is in some deep trouble. Her husband, Kurt, is low-key mentally, psychologically, and emotionally abusive, to the point he leaves her and his nine-year-old daughter to the cold. He constantly tries to manipulate, belittle, and control Claire to the point she's a mousy doormat whenever she's around him. This forces Claire, a love-starved lonely woman, to start an affair with her married psychiatrist, Alec, who proves to be a coward in the end. On top of that, Claire is also underappreciated and underpaid at her work, where her male colleagues of lesser skills get more than they deserve. Heartbroken and disappointed, Claire accepts an offer from one of her students, another married woman and a mother of one, Scarlet Vivien Chancey, to become her art guide on a tour to several cities in France and Italy. While touring the museums and shopping malls equally, Claire comes to learn that Viv is not the ditzy, floozy, dumb blonde she assumed at first, and that all that you see on the surface are not what you get when you dive deeper.
What I loved about this book comes multifold. As someone who loves to travel but hates the physical labor of traveling, this book is for me. I lived vicariously through this book and its simple yet vivid descriptions of beautiful cities in France and Italy. Claire and Viv embrace all the opportunities that present themselves to them while on this trip. Their visits to some of the world's most famous paintings, murals, and sculptures told me a lot about the art history of Europe. As an art historian herself, the author describes everything about the various periods in simple language that you won't need a dictionary to understand. Even the historical context of the things Claire and Viv visit are fascinating to learn. On top of that, the art descriptions aren't fillers or showoff. They provide valuable context and encouragement to the main story itself. The tales of several powerful women of Europe's history help with Claire and Viv's character arcs.
Another thing I loved about this book is how it champions female friendship, liberation, and dreams. Claire and Viv aren't like each other in most ways. Claire is an academic while Viv is a shopaholic who only finds pleasure from clothes, makeup, shopping, and likewise. Claire is a pessimist while Viv is an optimist. Claire prefers artistic things while Viv would like nothing but the luxuries of life. In many more ways, they aren't the same. However, deep down, they are. Both are protective mothers and affection-starved daughters. They both love their families and would go to any lengths to protect and take care of them. I also loved how, despite their surface differences, Claire and Viv come to learn more about each other and support, uplift, and help each other during their individually difficult times. Viv helps Claire face her abusive husband, her emotionally distant mother, the turbulent history of her parents, and the heartbreaking tale of her affair with Alec. Meanwhile, Claire helps Viv reconcile with her estranged brother, learn to appreciate art, and realize the gray shades of life. They both grow and help each other grow, no cat-fights or snide remarks about each other. I love how refreshing it is, especially for a book set in the 1980s.
I also love how it discusses female dreams and liberation. Although not physically abusive, Claire's husband abuses her a lot. Claire finds liberation from a toxic marriage and saves herself and her daughter from a life of oppression and manipulation. She also comes to learn more sides of her skills and expands her dreams. Claire begins to break out of the shell Kurt had imprisoned her once and learn to appreciate her dreams more, to the point she's ready to move from one continent to another. I love it when women do not give up on their dreams and instead pursues them single-mindedly and passionately. Why should men only get to pursue their dreams?
Thank you, NetGalley and Amplify Publishing Group, Subplot Publishing, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
ajchaaan's review
3.0
This is the first book I finished this February 2022 and here's my book review! Special thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Admittedly, it was a slow read for me and I almost DNF-ed this book, but there's something about this gorgeous cover and the way Claire and Viv interact with one another that made me finish the book. I'm glad I did because I loved how things ended up for Claire in the story.
This book follows the story of art historian Claire Markham, who had a fair share of heartbreaks and losses in life. With an career almost going off hook, she made a choice to become a personal art guide for the rich and sassy Viv Chancey. Both of them have their own struggles in life and while they spend more time together in a foreign land, they discover more about themselves and about each other.
There are things that I abhor in this book and at the same time, there are moments that hooked me still.
Full review at my book blog: https://semicolonreads.wordpress.com/2022/03/02/book-review-the-art-of-traveling-strangers/
Admittedly, it was a slow read for me and I almost DNF-ed this book, but there's something about this gorgeous cover and the way Claire and Viv interact with one another that made me finish the book. I'm glad I did because I loved how things ended up for Claire in the story.
This book follows the story of art historian Claire Markham, who had a fair share of heartbreaks and losses in life. With an career almost going off hook, she made a choice to become a personal art guide for the rich and sassy Viv Chancey. Both of them have their own struggles in life and while they spend more time together in a foreign land, they discover more about themselves and about each other.
There are things that I abhor in this book and at the same time, there are moments that hooked me still.
Full review at my book blog: https://semicolonreads.wordpress.com/2022/03/02/book-review-the-art-of-traveling-strangers/
eboycourt's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book!
I enjoyed this book but not as much as I thought it would. Although I enjoyed reading and learning about the art pieces mentioned in this book, it was overruled by romantic problems that I didn’t really care for. I felt that this book ended abruptly and that there were a lot of loose strings, but overall I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed this book but not as much as I thought it would. Although I enjoyed reading and learning about the art pieces mentioned in this book, it was overruled by romantic problems that I didn’t really care for. I felt that this book ended abruptly and that there were a lot of loose strings, but overall I enjoyed it.
kitaysrinezha's review
1.0
couldnt find it in myself to interested about this at all. i really tried but it was just eh. dnf.
downsophialane's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.75
For armchair travelling purposes, The Art of Traveling Strangers absolutely hits the spot. The author is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the artistic wonders that one can peruse in Italy, and this shone through in her art professor protagonist Claire. I had major career envy of Claire's work as a international art guide!
Unfortunately the book worked less for me as a piece of women's fiction, on the whole. All the right pieces were there - an international adventure with an unlikely companion, a divorce, an affair... but the piece didn't quite click all the way into place for me. Claire was persistently judgemental and dismissive of her companion Viv's interest in fashion, and while there were nods to her growing out of her exclusionary binary thinking of high vs. low art, it didn't feel fully realised. Likewise, the subplot of Viv's homophobia and Claire's reaction to it felt undercooked. I was expecting the relationship between Claire and Viv to grow into something more meaningful than it ever did, and it left me feeling somewhat emotionally under-satisfied (I won't go as far to say UNsatisfied!)
This was a fun diversion, especially perfect for anyone longing for a "cultured" holiday, featuring more museums than beaches!
🎨🎨🎨🎨 3.75/5
🍎 TO TEACH?
As I picked this book up, I vaguely thought about it as a source for extracts for studying historical fiction. It is set in the 1980s and while there are hallmarks of historical fiction, there's nothing that leaps out as a exemplar to use in the classroom, particularly. One for personal reading rather than classroom use.
Unfortunately the book worked less for me as a piece of women's fiction, on the whole. All the right pieces were there - an international adventure with an unlikely companion, a divorce, an affair... but the piece didn't quite click all the way into place for me. Claire was persistently judgemental and dismissive of her companion Viv's interest in fashion, and while there were nods to her growing out of her exclusionary binary thinking of high vs. low art, it didn't feel fully realised. Likewise, the subplot of Viv's homophobia and Claire's reaction to it felt undercooked. I was expecting the relationship between Claire and Viv to grow into something more meaningful than it ever did, and it left me feeling somewhat emotionally under-satisfied (I won't go as far to say UNsatisfied!)
This was a fun diversion, especially perfect for anyone longing for a "cultured" holiday, featuring more museums than beaches!
🎨🎨🎨🎨 3.75/5
🍎 TO TEACH?
As I picked this book up, I vaguely thought about it as a source for extracts for studying historical fiction. It is set in the 1980s and while there are hallmarks of historical fiction, there's nothing that leaps out as a exemplar to use in the classroom, particularly. One for personal reading rather than classroom use.
myfictionaloasis's review
3.0
While this was a pretty interesting read, I'm not sure I was the target audience. It wasn't bad, I just struggled to connect with the characters. I'm sure people in the target audience would enjoy this far more than I did, but even so, I still enjoyed it!
One of my favorite things about this book was the format. The book is told in alternating chapters of Claire's past and the trip she's on. I've always loved books with chapters that alternate between the past and present. I also loved the art aspect; the author is an art historian, so everything was interesting. I did get a bit confused as I don't really know much about it, but it was still fun to read.
I think my main problem was that Claire was just unlikable to me. I can't stand affairs, even in books, so I just didn't like her much after that. Maybe I could've liked her more if I was closer to her age, I'm not sure. I also personally didn't like the use of the f slur; I know it was acceptable in the 80s, but I just really don't like seeing it in the books I read regardless.
Thank you iRead Book Tours for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
One of my favorite things about this book was the format. The book is told in alternating chapters of Claire's past and the trip she's on. I've always loved books with chapters that alternate between the past and present. I also loved the art aspect; the author is an art historian, so everything was interesting. I did get a bit confused as I don't really know much about it, but it was still fun to read.
I think my main problem was that Claire was just unlikable to me. I can't stand affairs, even in books, so I just didn't like her much after that. Maybe I could've liked her more if I was closer to her age, I'm not sure. I also personally didn't like the use of the f slur; I know it was acceptable in the 80s, but I just really don't like seeing it in the books I read regardless.
Thank you iRead Book Tours for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
bookingwithjanelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
The book starts with a vivid introduction of our MC and how much her life has fallen apart which sets the tone right away. The reader is given bits and pieces throughout the beginning chapters of just how things went wrong for Claire and how she ended up on a flight across the Atlantic ocean with a stranger. The exploration of relationships, loss, and new connections are prevalent in this story & there were many moments where I could empathize but sometimes I felt disconnected from the characters.
To me, at times, it was a little slow and/or disjointed but that may have been exactly what the author was trying to portray of Claire’s mindset during this trip & the events leading up to it. One of the main highlights of this book that I enjoyed is all the history and facts about sights/art/locations in general throughout their stops in Europe. It felt like I was there with them seeing it all through the eyes of an art historian and of course, a fashionista
To me, at times, it was a little slow and/or disjointed but that may have been exactly what the author was trying to portray of Claire’s mindset during this trip & the events leading up to it. One of the main highlights of this book that I enjoyed is all the history and facts about sights/art/locations in general throughout their stops in Europe. It felt like I was there with them seeing it all through the eyes of an art historian and of course, a fashionista