Review – The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro

by Michelle | Jan 24, 2013 | Books Read in 2013, S Author | 20 comments

Title: The Art Forger
Author: B. A. Shapiro
ISBN: 9781616201326
No. of Pages: 360
Genre: Suspense
Origins: Algonquin Books

Bottom Line: A brilliant piece of fiction

Synopsis:

“On March 18, 1990, thirteen works of art worth today over $500 million were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. It remains the largest unsolved art heist in history, and Claire Roth, a struggling young artist, is about to discover that there’s more to this crime than meets the eye.

Claire makes her living reproducing famous works of art for a popular online retailer. Desperate to improve her situation, she lets herself be lured into a Faustian bargain with Aiden Markel, a powerful gallery owner. She agrees to forge a painting — one of the Degas masterpieces stolen from the Gardner Museum — in exchange for a one-woman show in his renowned gallery. But when the long-missing Degas painting — the one that had been hanging for one hundred years at the Gardner — is delivered to Claire’s studio, she begins to suspect that it may itself be a forgery.

Claire’s search for the truth about the painting’s origins leads her into a labyrinth of deceit where secrets hidden since the late nineteenth century may be the only evidence that can now save her life.”

Thoughts: B. A. Shapiro’s The Art Forger takes readers on a whirlwind adventure through the world of art collection, family secrets, and the high stakes that comes with each. Claire Roth is a master art forger, paid to reproduce famous works of art to be sold to collectors who cannot afford the real deals. Not her dream job, when she is offered the chance to do one last forgery in exchange for the opportunity to showcase her original artwork at a prestigious gallery, she throws aside her objections and approaches the project with cautious abandon. She quickly rues her decision as the stakes move beyond her professional career and become truly life-and-death. What follows is as detailed and hypnotic as any Old Master painting.

Unlike other novels about artists or the art world read, The Art Forger is one of the first novels where the art world makes sense. The act of painting becomes more than blending a few colors on a canvas and shows itself to be a sophisticated labor of love, time, knowledge, and dedication. The art world itself, as portrayed in the novel, is more than the ritzy, black-tie gala unveilings or quirky art shows that one stereotypically envisions. It too becomes a world of passion, money, and fame as dealers gamble to find the next great artist and collectors rush to show off prized pieces. The stakes are high, higher than most people realize, and Ms. Shapiro skillfully captures it all.

Claire Roth is a fiercely independent and yet damaged character, someone with whom readers will fall in love given her vulnerability and resolute pride. Her past harbors shadows, and the discovery of them is as enjoyable as the main mystery. More importantly, Claire has heart. She is not just an embittered starving artist. She can laugh at herself for being a living cliché while worrying about making a difference in the lives of others. Her passion, her determination, and ultimately her flaws make her a character worth following.

Much in the same way an artist layers oil-based paints to achieve depth and a kaleidoscope of color, Ms. Shapiro uses multiple layers to create an intricate and breathtaking novel. Claire is wonderfully complex and one of the more realistic characters to grace the written page. The story itself is beautifully written and contains plenty of plot twists to interest even the most hesitant of readers. With its basis in true story crime, The Art Forger captures a reader’s imagination from the very first page and continues to thrill and delight.

20 Comments

Michelle on February 10, 2013 at 2:26 AM

Yay! I hope you enjoy it!
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Michelle on February 10, 2013 at 2:25 AM

Thanks, Lisa! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Michelle on February 10, 2013 at 2:23 AM

I don't think it will make my best of 2013 list but it was an excellent book. I agree that the amount of research that went into the entire novel was outstanding, and the fact that it revolved around a real unsolved art theft just added something to the entire premise.
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Michelle on February 10, 2013 at 2:21 AM

I understand completely. I understand the idea of a starving artist and being so immersed in a project as to be able to block out the world. It's any art medium other than charcoal and pencil that I didn't understand until this book. It was the first time I understood how oil colors are layered and why. Accessible is a great way to put it.
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Michelle on February 10, 2013 at 2:14 AM

Bad reviews? I haven't seen any but I can see why some people might not like it. I hope you give it a try and love it as much as I did!
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Michelle on February 10, 2013 at 2:06 AM

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Steph on January 27, 2013 at 5:54 PM

This sounds terrific, and your wonderful description of Claire's character clinches it for me. I'm adding this to my TBR list as we speak.
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litandlife on January 26, 2013 at 11:42 PM

Ah so, you have finally really captured why everyone loves this book so much. Must be looking to pick it up soon.
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Leah on January 25, 2013 at 6:35 PM

I adored this book! I loved it so much it was one of my top picks for 2012. So, so good. I'm a sucker for a good crime story and the real theft behind this novel was fascinating. Also, I was shocked to discover the author is not an artist herself. The amount of research that had gone into this novel was incredible.
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therelentlessreader on January 25, 2013 at 12:26 PM

I liked this one more than I thought I would. I think it was the first "artsy" book I read where I didn't feel like a moron, if that makes sense? 😉 It was very accessible and exciting
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Elizabeth on January 25, 2013 at 12:03 PM

Thanks for your great review…I keep seeing good reviews and bad reviews for this book. .

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog
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Michelle on January 25, 2013 at 2:43 AM

Claire was greedy but I honestly didn't blame her for it since she was barely making it on her own. And she did use some of the money in helping out the boys. The art references and descriptions were just gorgeous though. They were definitely the highlight of the book.
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Michelle on January 25, 2013 at 2:42 AM

It is cool, isn't it? Where else can you copy someone else's work and NOT get in trouble for it?
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Michelle on January 25, 2013 at 2:41 AM

That's definitely above my comfort level for e-books. If I would have known, I would have sent you my copy. Unfortunately, I just gave it away to a coworker. If I get it back, would you want it?
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Michelle on January 25, 2013 at 2:40 AM

Yes, it is quite popular these days. I think once you get around to reading it, you will enjoy it. But let the furor die down first. It is so much better when people have forgotten about it a bit!
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Jenners on January 25, 2013 at 1:37 AM

I just think the idea of having a job where you copy famous paintings is so interesting!
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diane on January 25, 2013 at 12:14 AM

Michelle, glad to see that you liked this one. I've been meaning to get to my copy.
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Elisabeth on January 24, 2013 at 7:57 PM

Just finished the book, I did not love Claire, greed was her motivation. I also thought the story a little too pat. On the plus side I did learn about art and the art of how to paint a painting. I am glad I read the book.
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Andi on January 24, 2013 at 2:50 PM

My book group is discussing this one tonight, and I didn't get to read it! Gah! I basically refuse to pay $15 for the e-book, so I'll have to circle back around to this one after I've cleared away some of my hulking TBR. 🙂
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Ti on January 24, 2013 at 2:49 PM

It's been getting all sorts of great reviews but for some reason I am holding off on it. Maybe because everyone happens to be reading it right now.
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