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An Object of Beauty
by Steve Martin
by Steve Martin
As a giant Steve Martin fan, and one who loved his novels "Shopgirl" and "The Pleasure of My Company," I found his newest novel absolutely disappointing.
Taking place in the stuffy New York City world of fine art collecting and dealing, "An Object of Beauty" follows Lacey Yeager through her nearly two-decade career in Manhattan. The result is rather dull. While Martin's writing is well done, the story itself is forgettable in just about every way.
The story has more to do with how much art is worth than what the art depicts. Which, I guess, in a sense could be what the book is trying to portray -- some sad sense that money has trumped beauty. But I highly doubt that's what Steve Martin had in mind. It seems he embraces the insane art world he depicts here. It's a world where art is only art after someone is dead, and apparently, there hasn't been a single good piece of work since Andy Warhol. Which is nonsense.
However, Martin shows a lot of skill in writing about art. And maybe it's just my immaturity, but my favorite parts of this novel were the pictures of the art reproductions.
Who knows: maybe if I was into this up-turned-nose world I would have been into this story.
Taking place in the stuffy New York City world of fine art collecting and dealing, "An Object of Beauty" follows Lacey Yeager through her nearly two-decade career in Manhattan. The result is rather dull. While Martin's writing is well done, the story itself is forgettable in just about every way.
The story has more to do with how much art is worth than what the art depicts. Which, I guess, in a sense could be what the book is trying to portray -- some sad sense that money has trumped beauty. But I highly doubt that's what Steve Martin had in mind. It seems he embraces the insane art world he depicts here. It's a world where art is only art after someone is dead, and apparently, there hasn't been a single good piece of work since Andy Warhol. Which is nonsense.
However, Martin shows a lot of skill in writing about art. And maybe it's just my immaturity, but my favorite parts of this novel were the pictures of the art reproductions.
Who knows: maybe if I was into this up-turned-nose world I would have been into this story.
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Thanks for the comment Pearl. I agree, the pictures and his descriptions of them were by far the best part of this book. You nailed it: "I consider it an art book with a story." Being such a Steve Martin fan, I don't want to say it, but this novel was simply disappointing.
I must agree. I have always been a fan of Steve Martin, he's obviously intelligent and clever. He spent most of the book building up the personalities of the art work drawing me in. However, he never built up his characters and left them dull and one dimensional. It seems he has more of an affinity to art than to people.
I am glad that I was not the only one that felt this about this novel. I love Steve Martin as well. He is a comedic genius and a very intelligent individual although I too felt the characters were extremely dull in this novel. I am an art history student and was really hoping for more from this novel. Thanks for your very accurate review. Much love to Mr. Martin, I still love you.
Pearl Orner