The Painted Word

By: Tom Wolfe

Narrated by: Harold N. Cropp

No one skewers the popular movements of American culture like Tom Wolfe. In 1975, he turned his satirical pen to the pretensions of the contemporary art world - a world of social climbing, elitist posturing, and ingeniously absurd self-justifying theorizing. From the fuliginous flatness of the 50s to the pop op minimal 60s, right on through the now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t 70s, Tom Wolfe debunks the great American myth of modern art in an incandescent, hilarious, and devastating blast.

©1975 Tom Wolfe (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Spot On

Have always disliked and distrusted modern art. Wolfe gives substance and foundation for that dislike. He exposes the intellectual bankruptcy of the movement showing it to be the whited sepulcher that it is! "The uglier it is, the more you should like it." Give me a break!

Thomas Wolfe Never Fails

You can always count on T. Wolfe to strip away snobbery and pretensions. He won't let you down with this book. Enjoyable read. Helps if you are familiar with modern art.

This was brilliant, concise, and hilarious. It is scathing and funny and spot on.

I’ve never really read Tom Wolfe, but this was absolutely brilliant. I will read more of his books! This was wry, concise, on point with the history of the art world particularly concerning the 20th century.

The narrator was fantastic, his inflection and tone made me think it was the author himself. If you have any interest in art or art history, or a student of art, or an artist, this should be top of your list to read. If you’ve ever been confused about modern art, this is also for you.

The one thing not covered in this book is one more truth: the art world and art itself is now a standalone industry.

I laughed a lot! What a great author. What a great narrator! Perfect pairing.

Amusing, yet incomplete.

I like Tom Wolfe. His writing never fails to be engaging, hilarious, and eye-opening all at once. This book was no exception, however; if the extent of your contemporary art education stops at "What Are You Looking At?" and thumbing through the New York Times Arts section occasionally - please, do yourself a favor and read a bit more before aligning with Tom's side of the argument.

He's well-researched, and presents an interesting idea, but gross oversimplification a run rampant throughout this book. He's exc

Great Book

I love Tom Wolfe. This book is fun and informative. He is not afraid to poke fun where fun should be poked. His interpretation of modern art seems right on to me. He appears to think that modern art is just as empty and trivial as I do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.