Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger

By: Ken Perenyi

Narrated by: Dan Butler

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The true story of America's greatest art forger!

Ten years ago, an FBI investigation was about to expose a scandal in the art world that would have been front-page news in New York and London. After a trail of fake paintings of astonishing quality led federal agents to art dealers, renowned experts, and the major auction houses, the investigation inexplicably ended, despite an abundance of evidence collected. The case was closed and the FBI file was marked “exempt from public disclosure”.

Now that the statute of limitations on these crimes has expired and the case appears hermetically sealed shut by the FBI, this audiobook, Caveat Emptor, is that artist, Ken Perenyi’s, confession. It is the story, in detail, of how he pulled it all off. Unlike other forgers, Perenyi produced no paper trail, no fake provenance whatsoever; he let the paintings speak for themselves. And that they did, routinely mesmerizing the experts in mere seconds.

©2012 Ken Perenyi; 2012 AudioGO

Fascinating, whether it is true or not

Reviews question the veracity of Perenyi's story, and I agree that some bits of plot are unlikely, such as a quick transition from being nearly illiterate to reading Dostoevsky. Still, the story is fascinating and I especially enjoyed hearing the technical tricks involved in forgery.

Definitely not "White Collar"

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If you don't mind unsophisticated situations with lots of cussing, you won't mind this book. Unfortunately, it is what a lot of the 1960s in New York City and environs was all about. There IS some fascinating information about how painters and art forgers do their work. But you have to slog through a lot of other unsavory stuff to get to it.

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

The ending made me wonder whether our society is correct in making celebrity writers and speakers out of criminals.

Do you think Caveat Emptor needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Caveat Emptor is a stand-alone story needing no follow-up.

Any additional comments?

The lifestyle of the main character and many of his friends and acquaintances was amoral and rather reprehensible. The details about painting and forgeries was quite interesting. I had been hoping for something like the TV show "White Collar". I went into this book with the totally wrong idea. It is nothing like the TV show and the depths to which the characters often sink is rather depressing. It IS an interesting story, narrated by the author who is the main character. And it gives one much to think about. But I would not read anything else by him or about him (this said after perusing his website on the Internet). He's obviously a very talented painter, but not a nice person.

Captivating

If you could sum up Caveat Emptor in three words, what would they be?

Amazing career in Art

Any additional comments?

This book was such an intriguing and interesting story. Ken Perenyi is brilliant and very honest about how he operated. It will fascinate you and make you very careful about trusting art experts in the future.

A Must read/listen

At no point did I feel I was getting extraneous or boring information. the progression, detain and characters were vibrant and necessary to the story.

Very interesting

Loved the book, but never have understood why not paint originals? Money as usual. Too bad for us, the public.

What a ride!

I think the subject matter of art forgery interests me because I have no artistic ability. It seems amazing to me that paintings and sculptures that are considered unique and unmatched works of art can be so “easily” copied!

I would think it harder to copy something as opposed creating something original because you have more constraints on your work. I don’t just mean the nuts and bolts of getting the right kind of canvas and the right kinds of paints or the techniques involved in aging the finished work, but also the skill set it takes to imitate something flawlessly … but what do I know, perhaps it’s easier.

As the book title states, this book is about the life of a forger (not just the forgeries) and what a life it is!! His life (or perhaps just the parts he’s sharing) is a litany of escapades and mishaps and lucky breaks and risk-taking adventures. All along while reading it I thought to myself: You can’t make this stuff up!!

Finally I understand. And WOW. TERRIFIC!

Absolutely fascinating real life story. Having been friends with Ken and José, visiting their cottage on the intercoastal sitting on the seawall and dock and seeing the decor of the home, this book answers a lifetime of questions my then teenage mind developed. The chance to hear the narration of Ken's and some of José's real life experiences was enthralling and I am grateful to have the opportunity to enjoy it.

Too good to be true...? yeah, but so what?

This was a great story and a good performance. It was worth the price even if (perhaps?) it was fiction or partially so. About half way through I started to doubt the authenticity of Ken's friends and experiences. How could one person from such a humble background so quickly and miraculously transform himself into a world class art forger in so many genres. How could such an average guy be befriended by so many extraordinary characters? How could such a guy be serially surrounded by world class women and models? Then I thought, so what... just enjoy the ride. So I relaxed and did just that and I think you will too.

Quirky story

Caveat Emptor is a quirky tale about Ken Perenyi's experience as an art forger who passed off dozens? hundreds? of paintings as originals. The book begins with some over-telling about his youth that really doesn't connect with the meat of the story--his art forging experience. The first half of the book could be summed up as he was a disengaged youth, unsure of what to do with his life until he happened upon art forgery. The second half of the book reads more as arrogant boasting than truthful story telling. While I still found the story compelling, I wonder how much is truth and how much is an embellishment of the truth.

Sad Secrets

What would of happened if Ken Perenyl had channeled his talent into producing his own art? If he had taken this much time and study to perfect his own style? It was sad to listen to him brag about the price of one of his forgeries to hear about it 'melting' during cleaning as the forgery is discovered without a twinge of consciousness. I had to listen to it as a story rather that non-fiction - his life, his work and his attitude are unbelievable.