Comments (18)

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Apr 27, 2021bsarkar rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was a very interesting book that delves deeply into the world of high-priced art and artistry. The book uses art and the varied cast of characters as a commentary on wealth and value. The author uses the point of view of the painting…
Mar 24, 2019ownedbydoxies rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I started reading this book a year or so ago, but wasn't ready for it then. However, on giving it another try I'm absolutely smitten with the story and the people in it. Up to a point. The ending..... well, let's just say that although…
May 14, 2018telger rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Food, art, love twists, family drama, history, stories of deception, addiction but in the end truth and love prevails; what a ride! love, love it!
Jan 10, 2018sharon711 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Rothchild was moved as a young woman by Watteau’s portrait of Pierrot in the Louvre. The artist’s adeptness at transferring his feelings of love and loneliness into images was her inspiration for the fictional painting she called “The…
Jul 22, 2017WCLSPointRobertsLibrary rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Surprises, plot twists, bizarre characters, a painting that tells us it's own history - what's not to like. I had to read the amazing dinner scenes twice! Highly recommended. Topical, historical, character driven. Ending was not…
Jan 27, 2017KatTheGreat rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
At times incredibly beautiful writing, compelling characters and evocative imagery ... and at other times I found myself skimming through certain chapters. This book could have done with a strict editor to streamline the plot and get rid…
bookishdl
Dec 12, 2016bookishdl rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Art, cooking and love are blended together with history in a book that serves up a sensational sensory experience. I could clearly imagine the painter painting and smell the food cooking. A clever novel that is highlighted by the painting…
Nov 20, 2016EmilyEm rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Broken-hearted Annie McDee, new to London, aspires to be a chef and kind heartedly buys a painting as a gift for a new friend’s birthday. When she’s stood up and tries to return the painting, her life takes an unexpected turn. What a…
Oct 09, 2016ser_library rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I loved the prologue but after a few chapters I skimmed the book. The blurb compares it with Evelyn Waugh who would have written a much shorter book with fewer and more complex characters. For art themed mysteries try Iain Pears.
Sep 07, 2016uncommonreader rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This is a satire about the London art world, characterized by greed, deceit and philistinism. The novel is peopled with caricatures. Although the book is easy to read and contains some interesting reflections about art, it is a little…
Jun 26, 2016Chapel_Hill_MeeghanR rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Many, many characters, a few, brief historical tidbits, and some interesting musings about the power of art. A pretty quick read and a peak into what likely is a foreign world to most of us. A pleasant diversion with a highly improbable…
Jun 19, 2016mblummichaels rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
an absolutely wonderful book. It got me interested in a painter who i had previously pooh-poohed!
Jun 02, 2016bluehydrangea rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A leading character is a talking painting & I thought that was going to be a deal-breaker, but I'm glad I stuck with this story... It’s an unusual combination of romance, mystery, satire, history of food and art, and if you can handle the…
May 29, 2016kw55555 rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
The first 3/4 of this book is very good, then it falls apart due to the author's lazy use of well-worn tropes and absolute impossibilities. Memling would have been investigated decades before this book takes place. His looks vs. his…
Mar 21, 2016cknightkc rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
THE IMPROBABILITY OF LOVE is improbably good despite some drawbacks. It contains a few too many characters, some of which are extraneous, although one in particular, a lost masterpiece is very unique and for me added much to the story. At…
Jan 17, 2016claireswazey rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A fun caper novel. Good characterizations, subplots and plot twists tied well together.
Dec 31, 2015harrissusanc rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
If you ever looked at old masters and imagined their stories, and like a good scandal or touching love story, you'll love this book, even if the provenance and cinematic farce are ( true to form ) in excess.
Aug 06, 2015jazpur rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An absolute delight.This is a significant novel. The best I've read this year.