The Opposition…

An Object of Beauty

Steve Martin

Discussion: 2010-Oct-Nov-Dec

Why we're reading this: December 8, 2010
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2010-Oct-Nov-Dec

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* December 2010
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 11 views

last updated Feb 26, 2011 12:22AM

* November 2010
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 11 views

last updated Feb 25, 2011 10:56PM

What Members Thought

Jan 28, 2011 Wallace rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

Type: {Commuter Read: format lends easily to starting/ stopping}
Rating: {I’m Lovin’ It: Very entertaining!}

Why You’re Reading It:
- The art world intrigues you
- You’re a fan of Steve Martin
- Novels about realistic human character float your boat

What I Thought:
Steve Martin got quite a hefty chunk of talent when the gods were doling out the goods, didn’t he? Successful comedian, playwright, actor, musician, and novelist? Either he’s naturally blessed or a crazy over-achiever. Either way, we get to Type: {Commuter Read: format lends easily to starting/ stopping}
Rating: {I’m Lovin’ It: Very entertaining!}

Why You’re Reading It:
- The art world intrigues you
- You’re a fan of Steve Martin
- Novels about realistic human character float your boat

What I Thought:
Steve Martin got quite a hefty chunk of talent when the gods were doling out the goods, didn’t he? Successful comedian, playwright, actor, musician, and novelist? Either he’s naturally blessed or a crazy over-achiever. Either way, we get to benefit from it, so do we really care? Via his new novel we are treated to actual pictures of the works of art mentioned in the prose, and short chapters which add to the flow of the story.

In An Object of Beauty, he follows (mostly) Lacey during her years after college to the beginning of her adulthood, through the eyes of an old college friend, Daniel. We start watching Lacey, a recent Art History graduate, while she is a working in the basement of Sotheby’s. Lacey desperately wants to be an important part of the art scene in New York, and we watch as she climbs the art world’s social ladder by various means (one only hinted at and not fully disclosed until the end of the book). But while we are are distracted by Lacey’s facade of advancing in her career, let’s not miss the fact that this book is also a study of a woman who doesn’t really know how to be herself. She only knows how to act like who she wants to be, and she does it well. Lacey did not come from a particularly wealthy family (no monetary help to get her started in the prestigious art world) nor did she adore edgy art (though her career was spot in the middle of a modern art boom). And she didn’t start out knowing the “right” people, or even being liked by them, however, he was a keen observer of who they were, and she quickly made herself as attractive as possible to them (not just through sexuality, though that did have a part) and knowledgable about their world.

Not only does Martin have a wonderful ability to write an intelligent novel about a subject that the reader doesn’t need to know much about to be able to enjoy the story, but he has a knack for making you feel like you understand the subject and want to learn more. He also is a keen observer of human beings, and writes an incredibly realistic character in the form of Lacey. A woman who would give her own self to be not only noticed, but admired and revered in a world that she desperately wants to belong to, while all the while pretending she already does. What’s even more poignant is realistic ending of this novel. Martin does not write a fairy tale, nor does he write a heartbreaker. He writes life. And life, is just life — it’s not typically fancy and we don’t all end up famous, but we all have a story to tell. This one is Lacey’s. ...more

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Mar 02, 2011 Eileen rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction-contemporary

Pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the descriptions of the art world and parallels to the real estate bust. What a villain Lacey Yaeger is; easy to hate, yet I couldn't wait to see what her next move would be. Didn't like the ending; seemed too abrupt. ...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Bonnie rated it liked it

Shelves: 2011, litwits

I enjoy Steve Martin's writing. The stories engage me right away and they're rather quick reads. I learned quite a bit about the art world in this book. There was a little intrigue as well. I enjoyed it. ...more

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