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The Raphael Affair (Jonathan Argyll Art Mystery #1)
by
Iain Pears
""Deliciously literate" (Kirkus Reviews) and filled with "articulate characters and erudite art commentary" (The New York Times Book Review), this acclaimed series of novels by Iain Pears combines art and history, literature and mystery fiction, with the same passion for detail he displayed in his New York Times bestseller An Instance of the Fingerpost. In The Raphael Affa...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
February 1st 2001
by Berkley Trade
(first published January 1st 1990)
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I read my first Art Squad novel some years ago, and only just got around to picking up a few more of Iain Pears' series. The Raphael Affair is the first in the series, and introduces the wonderful General Bottando, head of Italy's Art Squad, dedicated to solving crimes related to art theft, forgery and fraud. We also meet his beautiful young investigator/protege, Flavia, and the young English art history scholar, Jonathan Argyll, whose research leads in this first outing to the discovery of an u...more
Author Iain Pears created some marvelous characters, a clever mystery (with a superbly twisted ending), and a gorgeous travel poster in words for the City of Rome in this novel, the first of his "Art History Mysteries". Jonathan Argyll, an English doctoral student in art history, is something of a bumbler who manages to fall in the right direction in the convoluted trail of a lost masterwork by Raphael. His reluctant helpers are members of Italy's National Art Theft Squad--its chief, the portly...more
Pears is a plums. He writes with enviable wit and aplomb, too. We've read maybe thirty mysteries aloud, including some Sayers and Grimes, Elizabeth George and Donna Leon. This was one of our favorites. Like Donna Leon, Pears captures the flavor of Italian bureaucracy, its diffusion of authoritarian sexism combined with a lacing of incompetence; but Pears adds the delicious factor of comparative incompetence between Italy and the UK. Bottando is a fine invention, a bit like Leon's Brunetti in tha...more
I certainly enjoyed The Raphael Affair, and the series gets better. (I gave Death and Restoration 5 stars.)
Argyll, the chief protagonist at the beginning of the series, gains depth in later books--his ineffectuality in some areas, which is at times somewhat annoying, is better balanced later on by more focus on the importance of his areas of ability, and he becomes a more satisfying fictional "detective". (He's a perfectly plausible human being from the first, but in the earlier books I tended...more
Argyll, the chief protagonist at the beginning of the series, gains depth in later books--his ineffectuality in some areas, which is at times somewhat annoying, is better balanced later on by more focus on the importance of his areas of ability, and he becomes a more satisfying fictional "detective". (He's a perfectly plausible human being from the first, but in the earlier books I tended...more
Jan 08, 2010
pinknantucket
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ms-readathon-2003
I received a lot of criticism for my criticism of another of Iain Pear’s books, “Death and Restoration”. Well, this one was better! A lot better – I think because we didn’t have to endure so much of Jonathan Argyll’s “inner monologue” about his ethical dilemmas – he was just a slightly kooky art historian. (And we all know how kooky art historians are). I also enjoyed the plot of this book much more, as it relied more on legitimate historical detective work and less on the philosophical musings...more
I read this in the hardcover edition. It is #1 in A Jonathan Argyll mystery.
This is an interesting book about famous painters and how sometimes a famous painters painting can be painted over by some obscure artist and the painting that is famous is lost for long periods of time. This book takes place between Italy and England as clues are in both places.
I enjoyed this book and found it to move along quite quickly. It is a very good whodunit with enough characters to make you wonder who it coul...more
This is an interesting book about famous painters and how sometimes a famous painters painting can be painted over by some obscure artist and the painting that is famous is lost for long periods of time. This book takes place between Italy and England as clues are in both places.
I enjoyed this book and found it to move along quite quickly. It is a very good whodunit with enough characters to make you wonder who it coul...more
Hmmm. I am disappointed to see that this book here is given the informational "(Jonathan Argyll, Book #1)", as Argyll was not my favorite character in the book. My version is listed as "Art History Mystery #1", so I was hopeful that the other books would deal with the art theft squad in Italy because I liked all of them.
ANYWAY. My slight dampening of enthusiasm for the series aside, I'll just say that this was a good time. It's a sort of academic caper, where Argyll thinks he's figured out ther...more
ANYWAY. My slight dampening of enthusiasm for the series aside, I'll just say that this was a good time. It's a sort of academic caper, where Argyll thinks he's figured out ther...more
This is a perfectly delightful detective romp through the museum and art world. I always enjoy reading about the dark under-belly of the museum business and this book offered that along with a little bit of academic puzzle-solving as a young art historian searched for a missing master work.
Although this book did nothing to burnish the reputation of museum professionals, it did highlight the interesting question of how we look at forgeries. Are they necessarily inferior to the master work?
Iain P...more
Although this book did nothing to burnish the reputation of museum professionals, it did highlight the interesting question of how we look at forgeries. Are they necessarily inferior to the master work?
Iain P...more
This book was recommended by an English professor. It revolves around a British art history graduate student, Jonathan Argyll, who discovers that a second rate painting may have a valuable masterpiece painted under it. He later discovers that the masterpiece may also be a fake. He befriends a member of an Italian art squad and they try to discover the truth. The book contains both murder and romance, but both are so greatly low key that they hardly merit noticing. Some better action does occur t...more
Not quite in the same class as Arturo Perez-Reverte's antiquarian mysteries. It is the first of a series however, and Pears would grow as a writer later on. In the meantime we have a twisting tale of art world intrigue that begins to deal with larger topics of the nature of beauty, authenticity and what constitutes a masterpiece, but falls short of really bringing them to life. Instead, we have a neat little mystery, a dose of action and a love interest to boot. In this case the love interest ca...more
Reminded me of "Setting the Record Straight." He tried to leverage his knowledge of art/art history to make a mystery and educate us a little along the way. I think he did a good job of the education part---I did learn stuff. But he cut some corners (I think) to make the plot flow and for it to remain mysterious. I also didn't like his characters much. I saw no appeal in the English grad student and it made no sense that there was any romantic tension between him and the female Italian cop.
Reall...more
Reall...more
Odd in the beginning, in that the mystery is introduced and solved before chapter two. Maybe the rest of the book will detail another deeper mystery. Or maybe Ian Pears was contractually obligated to type a certain number of words and the rest is just filler.
Parenthetically, The Rest is Just Filler, would be a great title for an autobiography written by a person who is still living, but does not expect to do anything noteworthy between publication and death.
Okay, now the book is finished. It wa...more
Parenthetically, The Rest is Just Filler, would be a great title for an autobiography written by a person who is still living, but does not expect to do anything noteworthy between publication and death.
Okay, now the book is finished. It wa...more
This is the first book in Iain Pears art history mysteries: “Set in Rome, it features the perpetually beset General Bottando of the Italian National Art Theft Squad; his glamorous assistant Flavia di Stefano; and Jonathan Argyll, a British art historian. When Jonathan is arrested for breaking into an obscure church in Rome, he claims it contains a long-lost Raphael hidden under a painting by Mantini. Further investigation reveals that the painting has disappeared. Then it miraculously reappears...more
More like 3.5 stars but I'm rounding it to 4 stars because of the adorable factor of the lead characters. Flavia, Jonathan and the General are just adorable, fun, smart (yes even Argyll) that the plot runs on its merry way and the reader enjoys the ride. At least thia reader enjoyed it again after reading this series many years ago. Set in the art world where you ca be robbed of your discovery intellectually and practically. This caper is centred around the discovery of a lost Raphael. It's an e...more
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Excellent debut. Details sets this book apart. Although far from a magnum opus, Pears manages to flesh out three well thought out central characters in a short space of pages. Their quirks and flaws are what make them likable, and the story evolves nicely through various European cities. Solid history gives the story a backbone, and Pears is obviously at home in the art worlds infrastructure and personality types. An ironic plot twist to end the book was the cherry on top of this tasty book.
Jan 07, 2012
Susan Denney
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Susan by:
Morgan
This was a Christmas present from my daughter. She knows what I like! Very literate, very well-written and very believable. The plot eluded me at points, but I enjoyed being in Rome and Siena and learning about art fraud detection. I also enjoyed the relationships between the three main characters. Just a lovely read. There is one violent scene (it's a mystery, after all) but very little bad language and no hopping into bed at the drop of a hat. Refreshing!
Dec 17, 2008
RunRachelRun
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
art-architecture,
mysteries
As I noted somewhere before, I was so excited about the prospect of reading another art historian/detective series that when I heard about Iain Pears, I raced out to the Book Nook and bought every single book I could find in the series. I raced back home, plunged into the first book and was not pleased. But I read them because it's still better to read about art than some book about some Bergdorf Blonde...
Mostly a good book. I would really like to give it 2 1/2 stars. There were assumptions in plot that I didn't follow (why would the bad guy chase someone UP the stairs instead of just running down the stairs and getting away?). I also felt that the characters were a little to anxious to make themselves look guilty, and I had the mystery figured out pretty early - although there is a plot twist at the end. I will read other books by the author, and see if he gets better with time.
I'd heard great things about Pears' writing but rather than commit to one of his masterpieces, I decided to start small. The Raphael Affair was a very interesting story about art forgery and art politics. The plot was challenging and pace good also. His characters were not as engaging as I would have liked (I just like more), but perhaps with the second book.... I am intrigued enough to take on another.
This is fluff for smart people who travel and like art. The relationships are believable, if the romantic relationship is a little drawn out, in a good way. The moral repercussions of one of the actions at the end(handkerchief!) seem to be ignored. One of the early chapters has a bit too much narrative. As a whole, it is tons of fun.
This was a pleasant murder mystery, you might say. It is set mainly in Italy with Jonathan Argyll and Flavia di Stephano, he an art historian, and she a quasi-policewoman. There are several murders linked to the mystery of whether the newly found Raphael is actually genuine, and some mad dashes here and there. Quite entertaining.
A mediocre mystery set in the art world. The main male Italian characters were pompous,egotistical and tiresome. Flavia fairs better, at least she is full of live and uses her intelligence to solve the mystery of the forged painting. I coud not believe that Jonathan Argyll was so naive and downright stupid at times.
There is a intriguing art mystery in this book, but the characters are so flat that it was not a compelling read. I could not connect or empathize with any of the characters, and if they felt anything for each other, it was not obvious.
This is the first book in a series, so maybe they will improve. However, I will not rush to read the next one.
This is the first book in a series, so maybe they will improve. However, I will not rush to read the next one.
Entertaining. If you are an art enthusiast and also enjoy mystery, give it a go. It is slightly odd to read a British author writing Italians' dialogue as if they speak in the same style as Brits, but if you can overlook that, you might enjoy Pears' work. Jonathan Argyll is a bit of a bumbler, but an endearing one.
Set in Rome this book suffered in comparison with the just finished Donna Leon. How much sex should you have in a 'cozy'
mystery? Obviously I'm not expecting (or wanting) too much from this genre, but the sub plot in this book is a love affair that makes Jane Austen look torrid.
Rome 3 Venice 4
mystery? Obviously I'm not expecting (or wanting) too much from this genre, but the sub plot in this book is a love affair that makes Jane Austen look torrid.
Rome 3 Venice 4
This is a great book if you have a passion for mysteries, art history and Rome. This series of books transcend the typical mystery fare with complex plots, history lessons and some really unique and entertaining and unique characters. It's a page turner that also makes you think.
First in a series, it didn't inspire me to read the rest. I read it so long ago, I can't even remember what it's about. I would only recommend it to art buffs who want to read a mystery novel. The characters are flat and it's a fairly plot driven novel if I remember correctly.
I wanted to like this more than I actually liked it. I loved the idea of an art mystery series, and there was a satisfying amount of "art politics" and history, but the main character, Flavia, lacked "patina." Flavia was poorly described and down-right boring. She is slim and trim and eats more than her male colleagues. So? I have enjoyed other books by this author, Dream of Scipio and Instance of the Fingerpost, so I will probably give the second book of the series a chance...at some point.
This is the first book in a fun mystery series set in Italy. It deals with the Italian police division that deals in stolen art and an English art history student. The series actually made me want to see more art when I visited Italy a couple of years ago.
This was recommended to me by my art professor. It's good art historical fiction but the writing was a little confusing in places with time jumps. Okay story but I thought the plot could have used some help. Bargain book buy.
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Iain Pears is an English art historian, novelist and journalist. He was educated at Warwick School, Warwick, Wadham College and Wolfson College, Oxford. Before writing, he worked as a reporter for the BBC, Channel 4 (UK) and ZDF (Germany) and correspondent for Reuters from 1982 to 1990 in Italy, France, UK and US. In 1987 he became a Getty Fellow in the Arts and Humanities at Yale University. His...more
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