Reviews

Portrait of an Unknown Lady by María Gainza

seventhswan's review

Go to review page

4.0

Almost nothing of consequence happens in this book, but I still really liked it. The first half especially was very creatively written, and had extremely lesbian energy despite nothing actually being said in the text, somehow. The second half began to get a bit repetitive but overall still very enjoyable.

somei's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

very hard to read. sort of dragged on and on - boring. i wanted to put it down multiple times but couldn't… only because i can’t not finish a book i’ve started

cami19's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

emilytracy's review

Go to review page

4.0

Facing the truth that my favorite books are about girlies who know less about fine art than they should (dare I say, just like me fr). This was fun!! Bits of mystery, bits of culture, bits of grief. Never knew what form was coming next, and I liked it every time. Only lost me at the court case (side effect of being a law student on spring break, probably) and even that was a fun little addition.

mellenface's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jg34's review against another edition

Go to review page

Alright I know I listened to this on audio and totally could have zoned out a time or two but I didn’t really get this book. I hate to generalize but I have recently read a few translated books and I’m wondering if it is an issue in translation or just a cultural difference, but I have found most translated books to be really impersonal. It’s just like this happened and that happened but am I reading a history book? How am I meant to feel???
Spoilereven the death early in the book felt like it was glossed over with no emotional depth.
The story can be really interesting but this type of story telling loses me right away. 
Didn’t give a star rating - I can hardly say I read this book with how little I took in and can remember even right after finishing

kristen_howe's review

Go to review page

slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

fiberreader's review

Go to review page

slow-paced

2.0

yaredimpp's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5 . Es más un libro de personajes.

debbiecuddy's review

Go to review page

4.0

I finished this short book five days ago and I'm still thinking about the questions it left me with.
-Was it a thriller about art forgers?
-Was it about the unnamed narrator's mad obsession with the mysterious art forger, Renee?
-I even wondered if Enriqueta and Renee could be the same person.
-OR-Was it really about what makes a work of art authentic?
I'm not sure what to make of this book, but I did enjoy reading it and pondering the questions it has raised for me.