The Brutal Art

by Jesse Kellerman

405 pages. Book is in Very good condition throughout.

Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jesse Kellerman was born in Los Angeles in 1978. His award-winning plays have been produced throughout the United States and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Most recently, he received the Princess Grace Award, given to America’s most promising young playwright. He lives with his wife in New York City.

Reviews

[Helen Felgate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled at first to get into this book mainly because I felt quite ambiguous towards the central character Ethan Muller, not really sure if I liked him or notand still feeling like that at the end of the novel but with maybw more understanding of why he had become the person he was. How the faults of the parents are visited on the child most particularly when there is emotional coldness and a lack of love and empathy. This is echoed in the back story and is the main cause of the sad and unfulfilled lives of several of the characters . The narrative became more intriguing as the plot slowly unfolded and most of the loose ends were tied up satisfactorily in the denouement. Overall I did enjoy the book (loaned to me by my daughter) but It did leave me feeling rather empty and sad reading the final pages and this is from a person known for liking rather sad and depressing books.

[Judith Falkner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started well with a dark enticing story and vivid back stories. Sadly it didn’t live up to its initial promise and by the time I was half way through my connection with it had petered out. The narrative changed direction from suspenseful murder mystery to frustrating love story. Speed reading got me through the worst bits and we eventually returned to the murders, finishing with a tame outcome.
The book did tie up all the loose ends but I was still disappointed that the book did not reach its full potential.

[Jude Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever and original idea for a "whodunnit"

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale, with a unique structure.

[Margaret Fullarton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Rebecca Biggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story telling & pace