Blog written by Marty
This novel which was written by Dominic Smith could well have been penned by a woman with its intrigue and warmth of emotion.
It is a story told in layers.
There are three different times and settings from Amsterdam and the Dutch
SARA DE VOS a woman artist ( which was rare in the 17th Centur) in fact it is claimed she was the first one such artist to be recognized.
New York in the 1950s finds her rare painting "At the Edge of the Wood" a Winter scene hanging over the bed of MARTY DE GROOT a descendant (three centuries ) of the original owner.
ELLIE SHIPLEY a young Australian artist whose skill is in restoration of old
art works and who is enticed to make a forgery of this Dutch Painting.
Its story depicts the meeting of Marty and Ellie and the intrigue of their relationship as well as the fete of the paintings.
Sydney 21st Century finds us in another setting where the two paintings
arrive for an exhibition. The lives of two modern characters is some what unravelled. Somehow the mystery of the paintings comes to light.
The buzz of jumping from one story and time adds to the absolute enjoyment of the book.
All the characters are woven descriptively into the plot. It makes for easy reading and thorough captivation.
Indeed the research that Smith has undertaken to write a novel with such technical description is what really enhances the book and attempts to educate us in the details of an art restorer and painter.
I loved all the characters especially Sara de Vos whose life as the wife of an impoverished artist and herself a painter struggling to feed her family in C17th Holland.
The question one could ask is "who really changed the paintings? Was it the caterers or someone else?
I think I really could say this was one of the best books I've read in a while.
Most of the book club had positive enjoyment.
The discussion mainly centered around the use of three characters and three time period.
Each chapter jumped to a different time. Some read it is sequence rather than as written.
Our rating for this book is 8.5/10 and it's been described as "enjoyable, intriguing, delicate, learnt a lot of the art world ".
Our first book selection for next year is The Good People by Hannah Kent and we will meet at Jane's on Wednesday Feb 8th at 7:30pm.
Have a great holiday and happy reading !!
