missamandamae's review against another edition
4.0
A good, pull-you-in read, despite how unbelievable I found the ending. First of all, a 21-year-old artist who can hold her own with Pollack, Rothko, de Kooning and Kastner who were all older than her; who gives Rothko the impetus he needs to make his color block paintings what we know them today, who makes her way to France during wartime, escapes a detention camp, hides out for the rest of the war, and never reveals her true identity? My reaction by the end was pretty "pfft," and I don't think the author gave enough time to Danielle's search and revelations at the end of the book. However, the buildup until the end was sufficiently exciting for me to keep reading, and I did gain an education on abstract art and artists. I just think Shapiro could have done more with the ending.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Since she was a little girl, Danielle has been fascinated with her aunt Alizee, an artist who knew Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Lee Krasner, and who also disappeared in 1941. This story jumps back and forth between Danielle's search in 2015 to learn more about her aunt and Alizee's life in New York in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
This was a fascinating story. One of the big themes was immigration and refugees, making it super timely for our current political situation.
The narrator of the audiobook was decent, but at times I felt like she made Alizee's voice a little too dramatic.
This was a fascinating story. One of the big themes was immigration and refugees, making it super timely for our current political situation.
The narrator of the audiobook was decent, but at times I felt like she made Alizee's voice a little too dramatic.
anniew415's review
4.0
Better than The Art Forger. Very satisfying ending even if the overall story is a bit far-fetched. Kind of fun to be in the world of the early AE artists....
nursenell's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time getting into this book and almost quit reading it. I usually read quite quickly through WWII/holocaust books but this one didn't hook me like most do. I think it was all the discussion about art, not an area I'm particularly interested in. In the end though it is a good story and I'm glad I read it. One thing I did learn, in addition to some of the history of abstract art, was that the WPA hired artists to paint murals in various American cities, I never knew that.
froydis's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars -
This was an interesting read - I enjoyed all the art background and the historical figures the author incorporated into the story. The plot has a few holes for me, but is overall entertaining, and gives you something to think about.
This was an interesting read - I enjoyed all the art background and the historical figures the author incorporated into the story. The plot has a few holes for me, but is overall entertaining, and gives you something to think about.
_seanna_nicole_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Violence and War
kcorey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
meferguson75's review against another edition
2.0
This is one of those scenarios where I wish Goodreads let you give half stars! The Muralist was a 2.5 star experience for me. I was engaged in the 1940 piece of the story - wanting to understand Alizee's environment, circle of friends, work and its relation to her disappearance. But I wasn't as engaged in the 2016 story of her great niece Danielle (Dani) and her struggles at Christie's, her family or her investigation into Alizee's disappearance. The ending was also too pat for me - without spoilers - it wasn't believable that the dots would be connected so easily.
rlse's review against another edition
I might come back to this, but I’m not entirely hooked and not in the mood for a depressing story right now.