
An Object of Beauty
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Campbell Scott
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By:
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Steve Martin
About this listen
Lacey Yeager is young, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the New York 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.
©2010 Steve Martin (P)2010 HachetteEditorial reviews
Fans of Steve Martin might at first be disappointed when they note that the talented actor, writer, and musician doesn’t narrate his latest work himself. But once they hear Campbell Scott’s voice, their minor distress will be assuaged. Whether by nature or by practice, Scott’s voice is a near replica of Martin’s a baritone with a slightly nasal quality that rarely rises or falls in pitch, but still inexplicably conveys incredible depths of emotion.
An Object of Beauty thoroughly entrenches readers in the subculture of the Manhattan art world by following Lacey Yeager, a young, morally ambiguous art dealer who will do anything to make her mark and make her millions in the fine art business. Narrator Daniel Franks is an aspiring art writer and friend and witness to Lacey’s life and accidental co-conspirator to a misdeed that could ruin both their careers. Yet, like most people in Lacey’s life, Franks is drawn into her web willingly, due to her uncanny ability to beguile men, from wealthy art collectors to FBI agents a skill that aids her speedy ascension in her career.
Thanks to Scott’s pitch-perfect performance, Martin’s presence is felt and not missed throughout the reading. The subtle humor is sharp and the plot is driven forward by the desire to uncover where the boundaries of Lacey’s integrity lie if there are any. Part mystery, part intriguing character study, Martin’s latest creates a dilemma for the listener you don’t like the protagonist, yet you can’t help but want to know more about her and the sometimes seedy world in which she dwells. Colleen Oakley
Critic reviews
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A Look Into the Art World
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This book was, I'm not sure, a novel about a woman who sold stuff, schmoozed and conned people. Art was incidental to the story, romance was almost a focus, there was almost a mystery, there was not quite a chase. I don't know what to say about it. It was ok.
Ok story
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It's written from a very clever perspective.
Just so great. I have no complaints about the performance either! I will definitely listen to this book again down the road, and imagine it will stay one of my favorites for a long long time.
I just loved this book
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not into it
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Takes a while to get into it but worth it
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Great listen.
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Campbell Scott is a masterful narrator. He has a great range of voices at his disposal, and uses them very appropriately.
The story itself is well-written, with interesting characters.
Steve Martin's knowledge of the art world is thorough. He is able to weave real and fictitious artists through the narrative in a way that feels fluid, never forced.
This book is a really great listen, and I would recommend it for anyone who's a fan of good fiction, the art world or a character-driven book.
Well-written story read by a great narrator
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Amazed at the turnaround.
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Amazing
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Nice Prose, Short on story
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