francienolans's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
upon rereading (relistening idk) i def agree with my assessment that this book tries to tout itself as being deep when it's as deep as a kiddy pool. the pov of art or the whatever that pov was supposed to be was interesting, yet it definitely was the portion of this book is deep when it's not. i preferred the beginning which was about the fictional characters & their experiences for this exhibit. but then once she introduced the marina & those around her (actual irl people) pov that's when i lost interest bc again like my first review you can't rly know what's going on in someone's head even if they give you their blessing-it's awkward & it doesn't translate well. if i wanted to read more about her, i would rather read a book by her or someone who actually has spent a lot of time with her & gathered the information from HER, not some rando. idk it could have been more interesting bc it did drag near the end.
mariacuya's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
midnightinkblot's review against another edition
5.0
This book is like a prayer to an atheist. Terrifying, beautiful, raw and always a little lonely.
“This is where I watch artists stumble, as they oscillate between force and submission. You would be amazed how rare it is for artists to feel moments of true satisfaction. When they’re inside their craft, inside colour or movement or sound, words or clay or pictures or dance, when they submit to the art, that is when they know two things—the void that is life and the pull that is death. The grand and the hollow. The best reflects that. To be such harbingers of truth is not without its cost. It’s no easy task to balance a sense of irrelevance with the longing for glory, the abyss with the applause. Artists run their fingers over the fabric of eternity.”
“This is where I watch artists stumble, as they oscillate between force and submission. You would be amazed how rare it is for artists to feel moments of true satisfaction. When they’re inside their craft, inside colour or movement or sound, words or clay or pictures or dance, when they submit to the art, that is when they know two things—the void that is life and the pull that is death. The grand and the hollow. The best reflects that. To be such harbingers of truth is not without its cost. It’s no easy task to balance a sense of irrelevance with the longing for glory, the abyss with the applause. Artists run their fingers over the fabric of eternity.”
marina_dal's review against another edition
3.0
Solid three stars. Well written story with an interesting premise. Marina A. is a fascinating artist and this fictional take on her was an easy, light read.
elarchambeau's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chazaloo's review against another edition
2.0
Could not finish. I have long been fascinated by the work of Marina Abramović, but could not get into this book. If it was a novel of ideas, which I often like, the ideas as presented were not compelling enough, and if it was about the characters, I did not feel invested in the characters.
nyxstyx's review against another edition
3.25
I have a lot of feelings of this book both good and bad but I need time to gather my thoughts
starness's review against another edition
5.0
One of the characters asks...How do you define art? How do you answer that simply? To me it's something that is hard to pinpoint it's a feeling, it can bring joy, can cause confusion, it's pain, it's unadulterated happiness, it's an expression a way to connect with an audience it adds colour to dullness and makes people think, question and to look around the world with a different perspective. I love that it means something different to each individual, it's not uniform.
As the author states this is a strange hybrid of fact and fiction and I loved so much venturing into this weird and wonderful world of the artist Marina Abramović. This book took me right inside New York during the 2010 'The Artist Is Present' exhibition at MoMA. I was completely enthralled and transfixed and have really discovered a new appreciation for this form of artistic expression of pushing boundaries and daring to confront and provoke, it's definitely not your run of the mill art exhibit, the novel itself is a work of art. I really enjoyed the unique telling of this story. So interested I'm eager to learn more post reading. I was mesmerised and I wanted to wholly submerge myself in this book. Once fully immersed I could not put this book down!! A real treat and surprise as I knew nothing about the story prior to picking up this book. 5 brilliant elated stars.
As the author states this is a strange hybrid of fact and fiction and I loved so much venturing into this weird and wonderful world of the artist Marina Abramović. This book took me right inside New York during the 2010 'The Artist Is Present' exhibition at MoMA. I was completely enthralled and transfixed and have really discovered a new appreciation for this form of artistic expression of pushing boundaries and daring to confront and provoke, it's definitely not your run of the mill art exhibit, the novel itself is a work of art. I really enjoyed the unique telling of this story. So interested I'm eager to learn more post reading. I was mesmerised and I wanted to wholly submerge myself in this book. Once fully immersed I could not put this book down!! A real treat and surprise as I knew nothing about the story prior to picking up this book. 5 brilliant elated stars.
akshim's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i think the best book i have ever read