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rebelkiss's review
4.0
This was a beautiful book. The cover was stunning, which set the tone. It bounced between 1913 and 1923. It was delightful being in that world.
the_horror_maven's review
4.0
A Fine Imitation is an intriguing look at women during the turn of the century, and one woman's life as she begins to find herself rebelling against who society - and her family - wants her to be. The only problem with this novel was that I wasn't convinced that the story was truly set in the 1920's due to a lack of description concerning elements associated with the turn of the century.
Amber Brock, however, is clearly a fine storyteller. Some of the minor elements that she inserted into the novel did well to show us hidden aspects of the main character, Vera. By the following example alone, Brock showed us how Vera sees the world as always judging her and willing her to be how they expect her to be:
"Four golden angel statues topped the roof, their wings tucked, and they glared down at Vera as she left her car and went into the lobby."
These small examples show Brock's artistry beautifully, and prove that she knows how to develop her characters well. She also has a great sense of art itself due to some of the scattered comments that she wrote through different characters throughout the book:
"With their eyes all rolled to the gods like that, it looks like they are having fits. The worst thing is how lazy it is on the artist's part. Making a person look real is far more of a challenge."
Art was something that Vera found to be a comfort, and it was clear that this is what caused her to have an affair with an artist. She never felt connected to her husband, and the artist connected to her soul based solely on his work. Brock's novel is so much more than a novel about women in the 1920's, but about art and emotion and how it can save a person who feels lonely and lost in life. Vera found herself and who she was meant to be, despite what society told her. This book is a lesson for all women and anyone who needs the courage to be who they are - no matter the consequence.
*I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
Amber Brock, however, is clearly a fine storyteller. Some of the minor elements that she inserted into the novel did well to show us hidden aspects of the main character, Vera. By the following example alone, Brock showed us how Vera sees the world as always judging her and willing her to be how they expect her to be:
"Four golden angel statues topped the roof, their wings tucked, and they glared down at Vera as she left her car and went into the lobby."
These small examples show Brock's artistry beautifully, and prove that she knows how to develop her characters well. She also has a great sense of art itself due to some of the scattered comments that she wrote through different characters throughout the book:
"With their eyes all rolled to the gods like that, it looks like they are having fits. The worst thing is how lazy it is on the artist's part. Making a person look real is far more of a challenge."
Art was something that Vera found to be a comfort, and it was clear that this is what caused her to have an affair with an artist. She never felt connected to her husband, and the artist connected to her soul based solely on his work. Brock's novel is so much more than a novel about women in the 1920's, but about art and emotion and how it can save a person who feels lonely and lost in life. Vera found herself and who she was meant to be, despite what society told her. This book is a lesson for all women and anyone who needs the courage to be who they are - no matter the consequence.
*I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
mrtalcott's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
beastreader's review
4.0
When done right I have an enjoyable time reading books from this time period. In the case of this book, it was done right. I instantly felt like I was transported back in time. I could see the clothes, imagine the conversation, and it was like I was in Vera's shoes and was experiencing everything as she was for the first time.
It was easy to see how she fell for Emil. Her life while full of money and glam was not a happy one from the inside. Her marriage to her husband was non existent. Then there is Vera's mother, who is a controlling Nazi. Whenever Vera was with Emil, it was like watching a butterfly emerge from their cocoon. Because I was so immersed in this book, it was a quick read. The ending was a great one.
It was easy to see how she fell for Emil. Her life while full of money and glam was not a happy one from the inside. Her marriage to her husband was non existent. Then there is Vera's mother, who is a controlling Nazi. Whenever Vera was with Emil, it was like watching a butterfly emerge from their cocoon. Because I was so immersed in this book, it was a quick read. The ending was a great one.
judithdcollins's review
4.0
A special thank you to Crown, NetGalley (digital), and LibraryThing (print) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Southern author, Amber Brock delivers A FINE IMITATION –an intriguing historical fiction debut of glamour, art, deception, SECRETS, scandal, friendship, romance, and desire.
The exciting Jazz Age, emphasizes the era’s social, artistic, and cultural dynamism—and a woman’s role in this changing time. Difficult choices.
The book opens in 1913 at Vassar College, a private, liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York. Founded as a women's college in 1861, became coeducational in 1969.
Two young women: Vera Longacre, senior meets Georgian scandalous Southern belle, Bea Stillman from Atlanta (formerly at Agnes Scott). Her family wanted her to benefit from society.
Friends they became. As long as they were friends, Vera did not have to worry about a lack of excitement. Bea was lively and exciting—she was incorrigible. Different social classes. However, Bea was a risk taker, and Vera played it safe, pressured by family. Bea offered freedom. And there was Cliff and Arthur. Bea had secrets.
Flashing back and forth, dual time periods and narratives:
New York City, 1923, swept away in the glamorous penthouse of the Angelus building. Vera Bellington, Manhattan socialite, has beauty, sophistication, pedigree, and wealth. Her husband ten years older, financially sound had built the building in 1919—the two dominated the society within the building.
She was bored with her husband (Arthur)’s late nights, trips away. There were so-called friends, charities, money; however, she was lonely and restless. She thinks of love, friendships, and regrets of the past.
Her mother always threw up her education at Vassar, in art history-- she needed to get some use out of her studies. A French dealer with an established gallery in Paris. Vera had agreed to see the painting for a mural for their building.
From Vassar College days to the sophistication of the twenties in New York. The young girls' plans were to marry rich and make Bea into a real New Yorker. Bea had artistic talent and passing grades. She liked to live on the wild side.
However, Bea did not feel the need to study or excel—after all she knew they would have lovely lunches in the city, dinner parties, and trips to the shore, households to manage. A rich man to carry the load. However, Bea had her secrets. Their girlish mistakes.
Today, Vera often wonders what Bea’s life had become. She had imagined her enjoying a glamorous nightlife, juggling suitors, dancing at clubs until the wee hours of the morning. She spots her at the gallery, a secretary?
After ten years of a loveless marriage, she knew Arthur’s late nights and trips to the office was not what it appeared. She was unhappy. The relationship with her overbearing mother had always been strained, pushing her to be a wife in high society. It was about making her mother happy, and everyone but herself. Even her parent's marriage had been more like a business partnership.
A mural project. Emil Hallan, a handsome sexy French artist. Currently in Paris and he was coming to the city. Maybe it would be someone she could actually carry on a conversion with. He was posh. Mysterious. Secretive. An attraction. An affair. A chance for romance. Enigmatic Pasts are slowly unraveled. Happiness or security? A husband who had never cared for her, or the stranger who did?
An ongoing mystery surrounding Bea, keeping readers page-turning.
From the elegant roaring twenties, challenges of women of this period, a time of glamour, and sophistication, depicted with the stunning front cover, the allure, drawing you into the intrigue and mystery. The title has many meanings, very fitting—reaching for happiness, trying to fit into what they feel society warrants, social pressures, what is truth, and what is a lie---false or real- influences, art forgery, right or wrong.
An accurate depiction of the era. Is this glamorous and rebellious image of the flapper a true representation of the 1920s woman? The entrance of the free-spirited flapper, women began to take on a larger role in society and culture. However, in order to be a flapper, a woman had to have enough money and free time to play the part.
Despite increasing opportunities and education, marriage often remained the goal of most young women (or their mother’s goal). Society encouraged women to believe that their economic security and social status depended on a successful marriage. A changing time in women’s rights. Some brave enough to step out on their own. The “new woman” was on her way!
Infused with social influences, identity, and reinvention. Skillfully crafted, Brock makes her characters come alive on the page, with vivid settings---from the exciting art world, rich in history and charm. A nice contrast with two different personalities--Being true to oneself. A wonderful weekend escape- one of my favorite time periods.
For fans of Hazel Gaynor, Beatriz Williams, Erika Robuck, Susan Meissner, Melanie Benjamin, and Kathleen Tessaro.
Excited to meet a new talented southern author, and voice from Atlanta. With the author’s background, a perfect story--cannot wait to see what’s next. Looking forward to listening to the audio, as well narrated by Julia Whelan.
JDCMustReadBooks
Southern author, Amber Brock delivers A FINE IMITATION –an intriguing historical fiction debut of glamour, art, deception, SECRETS, scandal, friendship, romance, and desire.
The exciting Jazz Age, emphasizes the era’s social, artistic, and cultural dynamism—and a woman’s role in this changing time. Difficult choices.
The book opens in 1913 at Vassar College, a private, liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York. Founded as a women's college in 1861, became coeducational in 1969.
Two young women: Vera Longacre, senior meets Georgian scandalous Southern belle, Bea Stillman from Atlanta (formerly at Agnes Scott). Her family wanted her to benefit from society.
Friends they became. As long as they were friends, Vera did not have to worry about a lack of excitement. Bea was lively and exciting—she was incorrigible. Different social classes. However, Bea was a risk taker, and Vera played it safe, pressured by family. Bea offered freedom. And there was Cliff and Arthur. Bea had secrets.
Flashing back and forth, dual time periods and narratives:
New York City, 1923, swept away in the glamorous penthouse of the Angelus building. Vera Bellington, Manhattan socialite, has beauty, sophistication, pedigree, and wealth. Her husband ten years older, financially sound had built the building in 1919—the two dominated the society within the building.
She was bored with her husband (Arthur)’s late nights, trips away. There were so-called friends, charities, money; however, she was lonely and restless. She thinks of love, friendships, and regrets of the past.
Her mother always threw up her education at Vassar, in art history-- she needed to get some use out of her studies. A French dealer with an established gallery in Paris. Vera had agreed to see the painting for a mural for their building.
From Vassar College days to the sophistication of the twenties in New York. The young girls' plans were to marry rich and make Bea into a real New Yorker. Bea had artistic talent and passing grades. She liked to live on the wild side.
However, Bea did not feel the need to study or excel—after all she knew they would have lovely lunches in the city, dinner parties, and trips to the shore, households to manage. A rich man to carry the load. However, Bea had her secrets. Their girlish mistakes.
Today, Vera often wonders what Bea’s life had become. She had imagined her enjoying a glamorous nightlife, juggling suitors, dancing at clubs until the wee hours of the morning. She spots her at the gallery, a secretary?
After ten years of a loveless marriage, she knew Arthur’s late nights and trips to the office was not what it appeared. She was unhappy. The relationship with her overbearing mother had always been strained, pushing her to be a wife in high society. It was about making her mother happy, and everyone but herself. Even her parent's marriage had been more like a business partnership.
A mural project. Emil Hallan, a handsome sexy French artist. Currently in Paris and he was coming to the city. Maybe it would be someone she could actually carry on a conversion with. He was posh. Mysterious. Secretive. An attraction. An affair. A chance for romance. Enigmatic Pasts are slowly unraveled. Happiness or security? A husband who had never cared for her, or the stranger who did?
An ongoing mystery surrounding Bea, keeping readers page-turning.
From the elegant roaring twenties, challenges of women of this period, a time of glamour, and sophistication, depicted with the stunning front cover, the allure, drawing you into the intrigue and mystery. The title has many meanings, very fitting—reaching for happiness, trying to fit into what they feel society warrants, social pressures, what is truth, and what is a lie---false or real- influences, art forgery, right or wrong.
An accurate depiction of the era. Is this glamorous and rebellious image of the flapper a true representation of the 1920s woman? The entrance of the free-spirited flapper, women began to take on a larger role in society and culture. However, in order to be a flapper, a woman had to have enough money and free time to play the part.
Despite increasing opportunities and education, marriage often remained the goal of most young women (or their mother’s goal). Society encouraged women to believe that their economic security and social status depended on a successful marriage. A changing time in women’s rights. Some brave enough to step out on their own. The “new woman” was on her way!
Infused with social influences, identity, and reinvention. Skillfully crafted, Brock makes her characters come alive on the page, with vivid settings---from the exciting art world, rich in history and charm. A nice contrast with two different personalities--Being true to oneself. A wonderful weekend escape- one of my favorite time periods.
For fans of Hazel Gaynor, Beatriz Williams, Erika Robuck, Susan Meissner, Melanie Benjamin, and Kathleen Tessaro.
Excited to meet a new talented southern author, and voice from Atlanta. With the author’s background, a perfect story--cannot wait to see what’s next. Looking forward to listening to the audio, as well narrated by Julia Whelan.
JDCMustReadBooks
alexiamon's review
3.0
Bueno, el libro fue entretenido, una lectura amena, pero no me causo ningún sentimiento, me sentía como una bolsa de papa, aunque si que me gusto y si shippie a Vera y Hallan todo el tiempo 3.5 estrellas
spinstah's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of a wealthy socialite in Prohibition-era New York City, and her struggle to break out from under the expectations placed on her by her family and husband, and find a life that has vibrancy and meaning. It moves back and forth between 1923 and 1913. In 1923, she's struggling to understand her attraction to a painter working in her building, and in 1913 she's at Vassar and we see her start to lean towards a life that's not the one planned for her. I liked the characters, and while the epilogue was very much a movie montage, it worked for me.
tulscip's review
3.0
I wish the Bea character had more development/contribution to the present day plot but overall I liked the concept and narration
gabbeebe's review
3.0
Okay so I was not liking this book very much. Vera, the main character of focus, was so puny and wallowing in the miserable life she had allowed to be constructed for her. Then when Emil arrived and was inexplicably drawn to her and falling in love with her, I began to dislike the story because then it felt like the the poorly justified story lines of most erotica novels in which two people meet and instantly connect, even though the woman is usually a bland and basic character and it is difficult to see where the obsession is stemming from. Vera played such a cold individual it was impossible that Emil could have actually found anything interesting in her mind with what little she gave him. But after finally making it to the end of the book a small but significant final twist reveals that Emil knew her from before and there was really something to base this relationship on after all. So glad I stayed with it till the end.
megrosen88's review
4.0
At first I thought this book would be simply written and even a little boring. As I turned the pages, though, I was transported back in time and found myself routinely empathizing with Vera. As the plot thickened near the end, I kept guessing what would happen only to be surprised of the outcome. An enjoyable read for sure!