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hopelessecstatic's review against another edition
5.0
Some books open up whole worlds of which we were previously unaware, and Gainza's Portrait of an Unknown Lady did this for me. It's a kind of detective caper that purports to look into the life of a mysterious woman who was a master forger of the works of Mariette Lydis (real) in 'the golden age of forgery' in Buenos Aires in the swinging 60s. As part of Melancholical Forgers, Inc, Renee, the legendary forger, hung out with those who admired her and those who resented her for her beauty, brains, talent, and independence and she may even have been immortalized in a 1969 movie--which is also real! In fact, so many interesting real people and facts are mixed with the fictional that this phenomenal book is a kind of revolving door of fiction and fantasy. Once I started looking up some of the people mentioned, I was able to go down so many fascinating rabbit holes. I kind of want to read it again immediately because it is so craftily written, and I'm sure I'd catch more the second time through.
marcio's review against another edition
4.0
3,5/5
Este parece ser el lema de este libro de María Gainza, en que su personaje busca escribir la biografía de La Negra, una falsificadora de obras de arte en los años 60 en Buenos Aires, especialmente las pinturas de Mariette Lydis, pero que desapareció como el humo que sale de las chimeneas y nadie sabe nada más que sus propios recuerdos de sí mismos.
Sin embargo, a veces la realidad que perseguimos parece más una idealización que la realidad misma. Y, a veces, es mejor así.
Uno elige una figura totémica y se pega a ella.
Este parece ser el lema de este libro de María Gainza, en que su personaje busca escribir la biografía de La Negra, una falsificadora de obras de arte en los años 60 en Buenos Aires, especialmente las pinturas de Mariette Lydis, pero que desapareció como el humo que sale de las chimeneas y nadie sabe nada más que sus propios recuerdos de sí mismos.
Sin embargo, a veces la realidad que perseguimos parece más una idealización que la realidad misma. Y, a veces, es mejor así.
tex2flo's review against another edition
3.0
This story started out very strong about an unusual woman who was an art authentication for a bank where people used artworks as collateral for loans. Very strong, enticing start.
Then almost halfway in, the style changed to something like a list that didn’t have enough explanation for me. The book is short, only about 180 pages, and it didn’t seem that there was enough book left to recover. For me, it didn’t although it finish strong with some lovely prose.
I never got sufficiently into the search for the elusive Renee and wanted far more about the authentication Enriqueta.
Then almost halfway in, the style changed to something like a list that didn’t have enough explanation for me. The book is short, only about 180 pages, and it didn’t seem that there was enough book left to recover. For me, it didn’t although it finish strong with some lovely prose.
I never got sufficiently into the search for the elusive Renee and wanted far more about the authentication Enriqueta.
carlosernesto's review against another edition
5.0
A fun yet existential romp through the world of artists, art collectors, art forgers and other questionable characters in the art world of Buenos Aires. Tempted to reread it soon for it's nuances. Falls within Piglia's synthesis of Arltian and Borgesian strategies.
elwirax's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The writing style in this book was my absolute ideal: lyrical yet meditative, emotional yet detached. The tonal changes, depending on whether it was a biography-type section or the narrator's recollection, as well as being grounded in real historical figures and painters really made the book feel alive.
That being said, the plot was not what I expected. It was marketed as a mystery of sorts, and based on the premise, I was expecting something more elaborate than what it was. The plot was very thin, and while it was a ' captivating enquiry into what we mean by 'authenticity', in life as in art', it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, individual elements in this book really appealed to me (art forgery, mixed media, unreliable narrators and academic yet engaging prose). Maybe I went in with unfair expectations, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I would've expected.
That being said, the plot was not what I expected. It was marketed as a mystery of sorts, and based on the premise, I was expecting something more elaborate than what it was. The plot was very thin, and while it was a ' captivating enquiry into what we mean by 'authenticity', in life as in art', it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, individual elements in this book really appealed to me (art forgery, mixed media, unreliable narrators and academic yet engaging prose). Maybe I went in with unfair expectations, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I would've expected.
walby's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
clesh01's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
cmik's review against another edition
1.0
I didn’t “get” this book. It seemed disconnected and dull.