Self-fulfilling prophecy run rampant
This book will have you thinking about ALL the times you (or
others) are influenced by what you EXPECT rather than what you actually see or hear or
experience.
Although Shapiro uses real artist’s names and works, the
novel is only loosely – very loosely – based on an actual robbery. Claire
has been blackballed because of art work she has done that was attributed to
another and hailed as a masterpiece. Now she is asked to copy (forge?) a masterpiece
by Degas that is part of the well-known heist of artwork from the Gardner
Museum. I enjoyed learning the “art’ of
forgery as much as I enjoyed the plot of the novel. Claire is believable and likeable. The work of the artist is written so that
even artistic ignoramuses (like me) can understand the process.
The plot is engrossing and keeps your attention even through
the art process sections. Book groups
will have a field day with self-fulfilling prophecy, ethics in the work place,
art appreciation, collecting objects (especially valuable ones from other
cultures), family secrets, black balling, stolen art and over reaching police. A visit to an art museum, especially one with
several Degas works, would be a great introduction or wrap-up for this novel. A corollary discussion might be our attitudes
towards novels by “best-selling” authors.
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