Muralist

De: B. A. Shapiro

Narrado por: Xe Sands

Alizée Benoit, an American painter working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA), vanishes in New York City in 1940 amid personal and political turmoil. No one knows what happened to her. Not her Jewish family living in German-occupied France. Not her artistic patron and political compatriot, Eleanor Roosevelt. Not her close-knit group of friends, including Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Lee Krasner. And, some 70 years later, not her great-niece, Danielle Abrams, who, while working at Christie's auction house, uncovers enigmatic paintings hidden behind recently found works by those now famous abstract expressionist artists. Do they hold answers to the questions surrounding her missing aunt?

Entwining the lives of both historical and fictional characters and moving between the past and the present, The Muralist plunges listeners into the divisiveness of prewar politics and the largely forgotten plight of European refugees refused entrance to the United States. It captures both the inner workings of today's New York art scene and the beginnings of the vibrant and quintessentially American school of abstract expressionism.

B. A. Shapiro is a master at telling a gripping story while exploring provocative themes. In Alizée and Danielle, she has created two unforgettable women, artists both, who compel us to ask, What happens when luminous talent collides with inexorable historical forces? Does great art have the power to change the world? And to what lengths should a person go to thwart evil?

©2015 B.A. Shapiro (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Reseñas de la Crítica

"B. A. Shapiro once again pens the art world into vivid, sensual life. Set during World War II and the dawn of Abstract Expressionism, The Muralist is an intriguing story masterfully imagined about art, war, family, truth, and freedom. If you liked The Art Forger, you're going to love The Muralist!" (Lisa Genova, author of Love, Anthony)

"B. A. Shapiro's The Muralist is an expertly constructed, riveting tale of art, politics, love, and consequences in the Depression Era. I admire so much the way she vividly brings to life this passionate world of the past - it rings with originality and authenticity. What a compelling read!" (Jami Attenberg, author of The Middlesteins)

"I am a great fan of B. A. Shapiro, especially her new novel The Muralist. It is a tantalizing mystery, as well as an involving meditation on the meaning of art over time." (Scott Turow, author of Identical)

You will feel all their emotions

Shapiro writes with such depth and emotion that you will see, hear and feel each character.

You are not left to wonder about much as events are well rounded. I do love this style of writing which encompasses history, as well as, what life held for each person and their connections
A very pleasant, justified and joyful tears ending! 6 stars

Excellent performer; engaging story

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and wish it were a memoir instead of a novel. I’d like it to be true. History has been artfully woven into the story to add authenticity. Loved it!

Dreary

All the way through, the books sounds familiar, but I can't find any record of buying it or reviewing it before. There's a sense of bad things coming from the start, and it continues all the way through. Not a happy-ending book. Not the worst I've heard.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not quite what I expected. It seems a little anticlimactic. A ton of lead up and then a really fast wrap up.

Needs a much better narrator.

Would you try another book from B. A. Shapiro and/or Xe Sands?

Only if I had nothing better to listen to. The narrator speaks much too fast and much too casual. Swallows her words. This was the worst part of the project.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was fine.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Xe Sands?

I do not know--just not her.

Was Muralist worth the listening time?

There were good things about it. Interesting characters, and a good idea for a plot.