Reviews

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro

vpowellak's review

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4.0

Loved the technical descriptions in this book. It made me want to know more about painting and at the same time forgery techniques.

I really disliked the ending though. I felt it tied things too nicely into a bow.

annalyle's review

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adventurous informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Overall an amazing book, but the ending felt super rushed. But I still really really enjoyed it! Well researched, well written, and a thrilling story.

sjwescott's review

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adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

rhall1221's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

propheticbee's review

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informative mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

callielawson's review

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lizal33's review

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3.0

This book was kind of a big "meh" for me. The art heist/forgery concept was really interesting, but the actual execution wasn't the best, and also included a pretty cringe-ily bad (not to mention gratuitous) sex scene. Also veeerrry conveniently "solved" by a deus ex machina that was telegraphed pretty early on. Overall, a diverting read but no masterpiece (hahaha).

sarahgudeman's review

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2.0

If I had been forced to write this review halfway through, I might have settled at three stars-but as the story went on it somehow got less interesting even as the intrigue grew… I believe this was partially or maybe in large part due to be apathy I started to feel towards Claire as the story would towards a somewhat predicable conclusion.

The parts I liked best were the technical descriptions of painting & forging. I liked least... The romantic interest story and interpersonal relationships. Apathy towards the main character isn't an emotion I generally look for in a reading experience.

And maybe this had something to do with the narration on the audiobook version, but I found much of the story to be on the slightly pretentious side. (Think stereotypical "snooty art critic" vibe.)

So while maybe the story is aiming for a cross between the Da Vinci Code and the documentary quality of Tim's Vermeer... It doesn't really achieve either in the end.

sarahjulia's review

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5.0

Interesting/easy read. Part historical fiction (set in Boston), part mystery, all set in the art world

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

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In 1990, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner museum in Boston 'hosted' the largest unsolved art theft in history. The theft is the backdrop for this story about a lost and found Degas painting. Has the painting been found? Or is this a forgery? If a forgery, is it recent or was the museum fooled into hanging a forgery for 75 years? Claire Roth, artist, and Aiden Markel, art collector/gallery owner, enter into a business and personal relationship complicated by all of these questions. Art lovers,crime fiction lovers and lovers of a good story will find this an entertaining read.