• 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 (1,073 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
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Look Into the Art World

I really liked this book. The characters, dialogue and story rang true and I found it all compelling enough that my mind didn't wander while I was listening. I think some people might find it a little slow or lacking in drama and/or thrills. I enjoyed the quality writing and glimpse inside the business of art.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Ok story

This book was ok. I read it because of an interest in art. It's an art book in passing, but I found more to interest an artist in Martin's "Born Standing Up," which concerns the making an refining of an artist's voice.

This book was, I'm not sure, a novel about a woman who sold stuff, schmoozed and conned people. Art was incidental to the story, romance was almost a focus, there was almost a mystery, there was not quite a chase. I don't know what to say about it. It was ok.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I just loved this book

Steve Martin is so talented it's unbelievable. I loved Shop Girl, and I love this book too. It makes you feel a part of a very secretive and sophisticated gallery scene in NYC.

It's written from a very clever perspective.

Just so great. I have no complaints about the performance either! I will definitely listen to this book again down the road, and imagine it will stay one of my favorites for a long long time.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not into it

I've loved Steve Martin's other books so was disappointed here. I really want to love it!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Takes a while to get into it but worth it

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the story but I’m glad I stuck with it. Steve Martin is a great writer but the narrator was emotionless and his monotone drove me crazy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen.

Clever, funny, smart and riveting. And not only a great narrator but perfect for the protagonist's voice.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Well-written story read by a great narrator

An Object of Beauty is a really appealing book for a number of reasons:
Campbell Scott is a masterful narrator. He has a great range of voices at his disposal, and uses them very appropriately.
The story itself is well-written, with interesting characters.
Steve Martin's knowledge of the art world is thorough. He is able to weave real and fictitious artists through the narrative in a way that feels fluid, never forced.

This book is a really great listen, and I would recommend it for anyone who's a fan of good fiction, the art world or a character-driven book.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Amazed at the turnaround.

One third through this book I almost decided I didn't want to push any further. I didn't like Lacey and I wasn't sure where it was going. So glad I persisted as it is a wonderful story with the perfect mixture of real events and fictional ones. An intriguing commentary on the art world.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

If a great book I a page-turner, this audiobook is a sleep-robber. It demands a sequel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Great Gatsby was first person too

Let me just say, to get it out of the way, that Campbell Scott's voice is sweetness sparked with thrill. I love his recordings with perfect impurity, and would like (please) many many more.

I loved the book too.

It expertly uses a forgettable narrator (lifted from Fitzgerald, I reckon) to expose one of our world's great divisions: the morally upright versus the charmingly corrupt. Pick your side, because you won't like being stuck in the middle. Poor guy. The last line of this novel broke my heart, and made me start listening all over again.

I'm familiar with New York, love Art Museums, took art history classes in school, and don't miss Steve's wilder crazier side. That's my bias.




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21 people found this helpful