An Object of Beauty
Author: Steve Martin
Publisher: Grand Central
Published: November 23, 2010
Hardcover: 292 pages
My Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis (from borders.com): Lacey Yeager charms men and women with her magnetic charisma and liveliness. Lacey Yeager is young, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the NYC art world by storm. Groomed at Sotheby's and hungry to keep climbing the social and career ladders put before her, Lacey charms men and women, old and young, rich and even richer with her magnetic charisma and liveliness. Her ascension to the highest tiers of the city parallel the soaring heights--and, at times, the dark lows--of the art world and the country from the late 1990s through today.
My Thoughts: This book chronicles a young woman, Lacey Yeager's, rise through the New York City art world. From starting out in the basement of Sotheby's, growing and learning until she opens her own gallery. Knowing very little about the art world, but always curious, I found this book fascinating in this respect. Being a huge Sex and the City fan, I have seen the girls go to gallery openings and seen Charlotte's gallery, but didn't really know what all happened in this creative world. Learning the difference between uptown and downtown art was interesting and something that I hadn't considered before reading this book.
While the plot was interesting, the thing that I did not like was the point of view. The story is told from the perspective of Lacey's friend, who drifts in and out of her life and admits that he doesn't know everything that Lacey does. But the story was so detailed at some points, it didn't make sense that someone who casually observes this woman would know such details. Steve Martin would go back and forth between someone who is observing her and the omnipotent narrator. It was defintely distracting and did not add to the story at all. Overall, I found the book to be interesting and, if the narration was more consistent, I would have liked it even more. If you have ever wondered what the New York art scene would be like, then you should definitely check this book out.
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