• An Object of Beauty

  • A Novel
  • By: Steve Martin
  • Narrated by: Campbell Scott
  • Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (1,074 ratings)

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An Object of Beauty  By  cover art

An Object of Beauty

By: Steve Martin
Narrated by: Campbell Scott
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Editorial 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

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)

What listeners say about An Object of Beauty

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Ok

I really enjoyed Shop Girl and although An Object of Beauty was entertaining I didn't like it half as much. It wasn't my favorite audio book.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Renassaince man strikes again

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

Steve martin establishes himself with this book as a master of another trade. Beautifully written,and spoken, book about the art world and it's inhabitants where the primary motif seems to be the meaning of beauty itself.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

My first audible book!

This was my very first audible book and I'm hooked!!
Loved the story, I know it was dry or slow for some but I'm an "wannabe" artist (using the term "artist" loosely) and it spoke to me! I hung on every word! I was frightened when I saw 68 chapters but I started on Saturday night listening to about 3 chapters and was finished by Tuesday evening on the way home from work!

It was well written and the humor was dry and quick. Right up my alley! This was a selection for my book club and I truely enjoyed it. Well written and very interesting especially if you're a art buff!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Cautionary Tale

a lovely story that kept me guessing! I couldn't put it down. Definitely will recommend

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Nice Prose, Short on story

Very nice descriptive character development, however, after waiting for the protagonist to get into serious trouble, Steve pulls his punches. I enjoyed the listen since it was leading to the conclusion based on external forces not the main character's efforts.. All the risks of the protagonist, made her a success until the environment changed her situation.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting but not engaging

If you are expecting an exciting tale about a likable protagonists' triumph in the challenging art world amidst lush descriptions of New York City, this book will probably disappoint you. That is the kind of book I was imagining when I read the publisher's description, but that's not really the kind of book An Object of Beauty turned out to be. It is more of a book about a morally ambiguous, conniving, and somewhat unfeeling woman's various highs and lows throughout a career in the art world. Found in the book are detailed descriptions of various works of art, museums, and art world business dealings which undoubtedly showcase Steve Martin's knowledge, but all of these details are more informational and instructive in nature; they don't quite fit in with the character-study aspect that the novel otherwise has.

The narration by Campbell Scott is very good and fits the feel of the book very well. The narrator character in the novel, Nick, is a bit flat and is really only a vessel through which to tell Lacey's story. Campbell Scott is the perfect choice, because like Nick, his performance is droll and dry, and very seemingly removed from the action at hand.

Overall, this book was good and was not a waste of my time, but it did not meet my expectations.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Object of Beauty is delightful

First, I adore Steve Martin! The story line was very interesting to me because I am not 'in' the art world but have always been curious about the characters that make it up and have made it up for my life time and beyond. Steve Martin's style is so easy on the ear and I love his analogies...sometimes on the edge of cliche but he always hits it on the head and I get it when he describes things in that way. Steve Martin is Analogy Man :-) Campbell Scott did a fantastic job narrating this novel. In a way his voice is as close to Steve Martins as someone can get but he had his own twist and he toggled back and forth throughout the characters flawlessly. This was a fun listen. Thank you Steve and Campbell...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting with some light parts

I didn't know much about art but I feel like I know more now. I liked the way the story developed. Wasn't crazy about the ending.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Phenomenal

I'm proud of you, Steve. The novel was tremendpus and held my attention the entire time. Even better than shopgirl which I also liked.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Art novel, but better.

I love Steve Martin as a comic, but even more as a writer. If you enjoy Art, art history, with a Sex in the City vibe this audiobook is for you. Read by the author makes it even better.

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