An Object of Beauty

A Novel

By: Steve Martin

Narrated by: Campbell Scott

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Martin compresses the wild and crazy end of the millennium and finds in this piercing novel a sardonic morality tale." ( Publishers Weekly)

"[A] clever, convincingly detailed depiction of NYC’s art scene." ( Booklist)

Modern to Contemporary Art History Lesson

I have enjoyed several books by Steve Martin. I don't know why that would be surprising as he has a strong talent across so many genres. I enjoy Martin's comedy and banjo playing, too.

This book is more of a very interesting history lesson of the contemporary art scene in NYC between 1990's - to current day. The ups and downs of the art scene are fast and thrilling. However, if you are looking for story with a strong plot, this audio book may be disappointing to you -- I think it is more a morality tale. The story is told in the third person by a character that could be "Martin-like". I understand that Martin has been an art collector in the past and knows this subject very well.

The story revolves around Lacey Yeager and how she started as a lowly, but ambitious, Sotheby's employee to owning her own contemporary art gallery. The story is further enhanced by making "life in NYC" a part of the story. It is easy to dislike Lacey from the very beginning, but the narrator makes up for it as he is very likeable. The narrator gets involved in a mysterious event with Lacey that creates some suspense. In addition, there are lots of interesting characters and events throughout the story.

It is the education of the art world that captivated me about this book. It has only caused me to be more interested in learning more about the art world. Often, the book brought up "What makes art good?" I think that only makes art even more interesting to understand. Bravo to Steve Martin on a job well done.

Don't believe the bad reviews.

A good book, the reader really captures Steve Martin's "voice."

I think there is a lot of Somerset Maughan in this book, and that's a good thing in my mind.

Spoiler Alert, don't read anymore if you don't want a spoiler.



I expect it would have been tempting to murder this girl, and I expect that Steve Martin felt some pressure to kill her off. He resisted, I think correctly.

Steve Martin's best

I was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I love Steve Martin for his acting and comedy, and I have enjoyed reading some of his other books. I consider this his masterpiece. The story and characters were compelling, and I was fascinated by the glimpse into the business side of the art world. I highly recommend it!

Wow

Steve Martin...... really gets it. Damn. Brilliant impression of the art world and its various characters. Loved the crystal clear focus on personal drive and the thoughtful articulation of this elitist international network of luxurious aesthetic fetishism. I have to also commend him on his elegantly dignified description of sex scenes, which never comes close to vulgarity. Reviewers who said "nothing happens" clearly don't know anything about the actual melodrama that defines the contours of the art world, which wraps itself like a snake around personal and professional lives of all who truly inhabit it. Finished it in a day!

Great Art book, bad story

Love Martin but I found this book to be one long saunter through the life of the main character. I really enjoyed all of the detailed art content though. Overall, I enjoyed it but found myself wondering what the point was sometimes.

Read this book if you are fascinated by NYC/Art

This book is not for everyone. Do not read this book because you love Steve Martin. He's not in the book. His comedy is not in the book. No character in the book is based on him. The characters are compelling and the story is a fascinating, nicely-paced tribute to NYC folklore, with just enough truth to make it believable. If you are a genuine Art snob, you may find the name dropping and background information tedious -- but if you are a curious person who has either lived in New York or likes (maybe not loves) Art, you will enjoy this book. I put off reading this book for a long time - somewhat deterred by the reviews - but I am sorry I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and am continually impressed by the wide range of Steve Martin's talents.

Modern Art world history

Where does An Object of Beauty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I rank it in the upper third of all books I've listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lacey. Because she was a manipulative scoundrel. Interesting character.

Have you listened to any of Campbell Scott’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was not.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy Steve Martins books, he is a talented writer.

Great Performance, but Better with Book In-Hand

I've loved this book for a while now, but as I don't have as much free time, I opted for the audiobook.

SPOILERS

First off, the story. I think it's compelling hearing Lacey's ambition come to fruition, even if its sometimes unethical. Its good to have fantasy like that, so we can fantasize about our own immorality.

When viewed as a cautionary tale, I think An Object of Beauty succeeds. While Lacey does sleep her way out of legal consequences, she alienates everyone she knows and is all but kicked out of New York. She is planted firmly in Atlanta, GA, taking care of her scorned mother, with her reputation in the art world soured. It is a perfect prison of her own making.

However, I think there is a lot of buildup, and I don't know if there's enough payoff. Martin spends most of the book building up Lacey in a positive manner, and I think that deserves something a little more explosive.

As for my preference of the book in physical form, its pages are interspliced with beautiful color images of the artworks that the book describes. While audiobooks and traditional reading already have distinct experiences, I think having the book in front of you with pictures included is the superior format, as with the audiobook, i found myself pausing to look up artists or pieces more than a few times.

For the art educated...

It may be that one needs to be more educated in the art business to fully appreciate the nuances, but the story and characters are not deeply enough developed for me. However, if you are looking for a quick listen and love Manhattan it holds its own!

Steve Martin is brilliant. Campbell Scott perfect.

I am not very interested in the NYC art world, not much into art at all really... and I loved this book from start to finish. I love all Steve Martin's work. Insightful, intelligent and thoroughly captivating. A great read, er listen. Steve Martin is brilliant. Campbell Scott's narration and interpretation of the many varied voices was simply perfect throughout.