Wednesday Book Notes

"Boston, MA -- In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, two men dressed as police officers bound and gagged two guards at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and stole thirteen works of art worth today over $500 million."

The stage is set.  

Using the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist as the inspiration and backdrop

 for her novel,  The Art Forger, B.A. Shapiro takes her reader into the underbelly of the

art world where all things are not as they seem.

"Markel clears his throat, takes another sip.  'Claire, I've just been given the opportunity of a lifetime.  A chance to do good, real good for lots of people.  And I hope you'll feel the same way about the one I'm about to give you.'  He pauses.  'Although I suppose yours is really more like making a deal with the devil?'

'...And are you the devil?' "

Claire Roth is no stranger to copying.  She has studied the art of masterpiece forgery, is an expert on Degas, and semployed with Reproductions.com, a company whose sole business is built on selling copies of masterpieces.  This would not be the first time she has found herself in the role
of the forger.

With the promise of a one-woman show at a prominent gallery, Claire accepts the job.   As she studies the brushstrokes of Degas's After the Bath, she begins to suspect it is a forgery, sending her in search of the painting's history and its forger.  

Ms. Shapiro delivers a multi-layered tale of greed and deception, while taking us through the backdoor into the world of collecting and curating.  I'm not for sure I will ever stand in front of one the great works without wondering...

Did I enjoy this book?

I will be honest, I picked up "The Art Forger" several times and placed it back on the shelf.   I'm not certain why I actually came home with it.   I almost set it down several times.  I read Ulrich Boser's The Gardner Heist a few years ago, and became confused as I began reading the description of the stolen Degas.   After a little research I had my "aha" moment.  While the details of the robbery are accurate, the painting that is the subject is a fabrication of Ms. Shapiro's imagination.  Once I let go of the "fictitious" Degas (this being, after all, a work of fiction) I found myself drawn into the story and unable to put it down.

Yes, this was another good summer read.
And,
                                                              yes I do recommend it.

If you are interested in the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum heist, check out

.

And enjoy your summer reading!

I have a few weeks left before my thoughts return to the classroom;

I'm still collecting titles...

Finding the Rhythm

Do you enjoy a good fireworks display?

It is one of my favorite things to do to celebrate America's Independence Day.

I enjoy arriving early, staking out my territory and settling in for a bit of people watching.

As the skies darken I am like a young child anxiously awaiting the first big explosion.

It occurred to me as I was photographing the fireworks, capturing the perfect

image is a lot like living ones life.  

There is a rhythm one needs to get it right.  

Sometimes you try too hard

and end up shooting to early.

Sometimes, you wait to long,

and catch only the remnants of what might have been.

Sometimes you spend so much time on perfection

you miss the enjoyment of the show.

Every so often the camera has to come down, 

perfection forgotten

and just find the awe of the moment

before it fades away.

Wednesday Book Talk

“Book collecting is an obsession, an occupation, a disease, an addiction, a fascination, an absurdity, a fate.   It is not a hobby.  Those who do it must do it. Those who do not do it, think of it as a cousin of stamp collecting, a sister of the trophy cabinet, bastard of a sound bank account and a weak mind."

                                                                                                                                                          Jeanette Winterson

You had me at the title.  
Add the subtitle... A Novel of Obsession?
Sold!

What would you do if you thought you had possession of the one original work, Robert Greene's pastorial romance Pandosto,  thought to be the material William Shakespeare based  A Winter's Tale?  This is every bibliophile, every antiquarian book collector's  dream.

"Wouldn't it be something, Peter, to discover a page of manuscript written by
 the Stratford Shakespeare?  Or a letter to Anne Hathaway where he complains
 about what trouble the third act of Hamlet is giving him?"

"The Holy Grail", said Peter reverently.  He was surprised 
to hear the words coming from his mouth.  The comparison had been instinctual."

Peter Byerly, an antiquarian bookseller, enters a rare bookshop, opens a book  and out flutters  a watercolor portrait of his deceased wife.   The painting is Victorian and can't possibly be of Amanda, yet the resemblance is haunting.  Grief stricken he slips the picture into another book he later purchases beginning his obsession with finding the portrait's origin.  Navigating a maze of secrets and deception, Peter discovers what he believes to be "the holy grail".  It is possible he has gained possession of the evidence needed to seal Shakespeare's reputation as the great poet and playwright many believe him to be.

To solve the mystery Peter must revisit his and Amanda's relationship and follow the Pandosto's path to being hidden on a shelf  in an obscure English manor house.  

"...Peter felt as if he had entered a Jane Austen novel." 

Charlie Lovett carries us on an ambitious journey where the unraveling of secrets festering for centuries is the only map to finding the truth.  Mystery, murder, and romance.  
And I loved it! 

Does Peter find the mysterious painter of the Victorian watercolor?  Is he able to authenticate the Pandosto?   Was Shakespeare a genius or a fake? And finally, does Peter survive to find the connection of the portrait and the writing?

Being a lover of both books and of Shakespeare this was most definitely a perfect summer discovery. While reading I was sent to research Robert Greene's Pandosto, and to become reacquainted with  A Winter's Tale.  

You understand I share the obsessive behavior.

I love reading books about books, people reading books, finding books...
One of my favorites is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.

Do you enjoy reading about other book lovers?

As we approach America's birthday

may you have a fun filled and safe holiday.

Happy Fourth of July!

Weekend Away...

"Laparisienne is not in fashion,

she is fashion"

                                    Arsene Houssaye

I had the chance to disappear this weekend.

We caught an early flight Friday morning and

arrived in a city celebrating.

Streets were closed for a parade; fans

crowded the shops and restaurants up and down

Michigan Avenue.

Thankfully we had a street savvy cabbie who

transported us to our hotel with minimal detours.

The question of the day...

"Are you here to celebrate the Blackhawks?"

"Ummm...not really."

Art, fashion and food are more to my liking.

Chicago didn't disappoint.

As the sun fell past the Chicago skyline we were  off to the

Art Institue for an evening of art and fashion.

Impression, Fashion, & Modernity.

"Were the Impressionists fashionistas?

And what role did fashion play in their goal to 

paint modern life with a "modern" style?"

"She could be pushed but never swayed  into wearing fewer bows."

This is an amazing exhibit mixing both the paintings by
the artist from the impression movement, and
many examples of similar dresses and accessories.

Photography was not allowed in the visiting
exhibit gallery, but we were allowed to take
photographs of the lovely models showing off the
contemporary and eclectic designs by ikram.
(iphone photography)

Every moment, an enjoyable treat. 

Are you are a fan of the Impressionist, Renoir, Monet,

Degas, Manet or my new favorite, James Tissot?

Take a tour.
And enjoy!