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lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
A fairly solid novel novel all around. Martin's play with point of view--the narrator telling the protagonist's story as a close friend--gave the benefits of both first person as well as third. He justified the non-Lacey scenes by having the narrator tell us up front that he took some imaginative liberties. This point of view also let me like the narrator and dislike Lacey, the main character, who is manipulative and self-serving for about 99.9% of the story. She wasn't unpleasant, but unsympathetic, and I never did get a real sense of her as a truly flawed character--of course she had obvious flaws, but she was rarely, if ever, vulnerable, and this made her not just unsympathetic, but unrealistic. This may have been a downfall of the point of view or the writing, or both.
I enjoyed the art world Martin took us into, and I think that it's authentic, not only because he is a part of that world and got the book checked by some of the real life characters he included, but because I've experienced some of it myself. I have a basic knowledge of art history and gallery life--enough to get most of the references--but I think my husband, manager of an art gallery, enjoyed it on another level, perhaps enough to look past some of the character and story inadequacies (we listened to it in the car on an out-of-town drive).
Martin also treated the time period in a way I truly appreciated: he linked the story to the historical events with honesty and restraint. Because this story starts in NY in the mid '90s and continues until about 2009, ignoring September 11, 2001, and the 2008 real estate/financial crisis would have been impossible. So Martin makes these events very important parts of Lacey's life without defaulting to making hers a "9-11" story or a "foreclosure" story, or some bastard hybrid reflecting the events as morals or messages. I, for one, was thankful for this.
As a side, if you're a fan of audio books, listen to this instead of reading the hard copy, because Campbell Scott does a truly fantastic job.
I enjoyed the art world Martin took us into, and I think that it's authentic, not only because he is a part of that world and got the book checked by some of the real life characters he included, but because I've experienced some of it myself. I have a basic knowledge of art history and gallery life--enough to get most of the references--but I think my husband, manager of an art gallery, enjoyed it on another level, perhaps enough to look past some of the character and story inadequacies (we listened to it in the car on an out-of-town drive).
Martin also treated the time period in a way I truly appreciated: he linked the story to the historical events with honesty and restraint. Because this story starts in NY in the mid '90s and continues until about 2009, ignoring September 11, 2001, and the 2008 real estate/financial crisis would have been impossible. So Martin makes these events very important parts of Lacey's life without defaulting to making hers a "9-11" story or a "foreclosure" story, or some bastard hybrid reflecting the events as morals or messages. I, for one, was thankful for this.
As a side, if you're a fan of audio books, listen to this instead of reading the hard copy, because Campbell Scott does a truly fantastic job.
coranada's review
4.0
This is so close to a 6 star book that a 5 seems unfair. Steve Martin does an amazing job of describing things with both the art and the changing economic climate of the art world ... and does it while being INTERESTING. "Economic climate of the art world" sounds like a deadly boring subject but I promise it wasn't.
monicakuryla's review
2.0
I was a bit disappointed after all the hype this book got. I can envision it more as a movie than a novel. Read like a screenplay.
ladymirkwood's review
2.0
Lacey Yeager is a young, beautiful woman working in the exciting, glamorous world of art... which sounds considerably more entertaining and interesting than it actually is.
'An Object of Beauty' is a strange book, in so much it's not really sure what it wants to be. Does it want to make a wry satire about the art world? or is it a rags-to-riches-to rags again story? what about a smart sexy novel about city life?. Martin tries to deliver all three and the result is disappointing.
Lacey Yeager, our centrepoint in the story seems to be a collection of fantasies, a meaner version of a manic pixie dream girl, than an actual person. Her apparent rise through the art world is not convincing, and so is the fact she seems to acquire skills by osmosis.
As for the narrator himself, (Observing Lacey's life in extensive detail), is little more than a plot device. He has no real personality of his own, and seems content to live a life constructed firmly around the odd phone call beckoning him for cocktails. But this is the unofficial theme of the book: Men running around after Lacey because she is Lacey.
The latter half of the book seems at rush to create drama, and consequently the chapters covering 911 feel a little tacked on. And for someone built up to be such a dynamic whirlwind. Lacey just seems to deflate into nothing.
For me the novels only strong points were when Martin talks about Art and it's creators. It's done with such accessible joie de vivre that I found myself wanting to skip the story just to read them. Art is a passion for Martin and it shows, and the photographs punctuating the book were wonderful, even if they did add a peculiar Meta feel.
'An Object of Beauty' would have been infinitely better with more humor and less cliche. 2/5
'An Object of Beauty' is a strange book, in so much it's not really sure what it wants to be. Does it want to make a wry satire about the art world? or is it a rags-to-riches-to rags again story? what about a smart sexy novel about city life?. Martin tries to deliver all three and the result is disappointing.
Lacey Yeager, our centrepoint in the story seems to be a collection of fantasies, a meaner version of a manic pixie dream girl, than an actual person. Her apparent rise through the art world is not convincing, and so is the fact she seems to acquire skills by osmosis.
As for the narrator himself, (Observing Lacey's life in extensive detail), is little more than a plot device. He has no real personality of his own, and seems content to live a life constructed firmly around the odd phone call beckoning him for cocktails. But this is the unofficial theme of the book: Men running around after Lacey because she is Lacey.
The latter half of the book seems at rush to create drama, and consequently the chapters covering 911 feel a little tacked on. And for someone built up to be such a dynamic whirlwind. Lacey just seems to deflate into nothing.
For me the novels only strong points were when Martin talks about Art and it's creators. It's done with such accessible joie de vivre that I found myself wanting to skip the story just to read them. Art is a passion for Martin and it shows, and the photographs punctuating the book were wonderful, even if they did add a peculiar Meta feel.
'An Object of Beauty' would have been infinitely better with more humor and less cliche. 2/5
kivt's review
4.0
This was super fun! The main female lead was pretty unbelievable and seemed like a typical dude fantasy, but reading about the world of galleries and collecting was enjoyable. I really enjoyed recognizing aspects of it from my own experience.
postmodernblues's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Also known as Steve Martin's fanfiction about the 90's-2000's NYC art scene. Definitely my favorite of his novels.
elliepamela's review
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0