Genre: Book
Grade: A-
Notable People: Steve Martin
Title: An Object f Beauty
Review: Yes…this is THE Steve Martin…..who writes the same way he does comedy, acting and banjo playing….in short- satisfying bursts (the chapters in this book are a wonderful- for- bedtime reading 2-5 pages long). In actuality this is the third of his written works I have read, and he is quite the writer…… evocatively descriptive , historically accurate and with an eye for characters and detail. This book centers around Lacey, the object of the narrator’s eternal desire (Clearly Martin himself) who is totally unattainable to another human being, as she pursues her rising star ad manipulate her way in the NYC art world. I was transfixed by this character , and wanted her myself….even while loathing her as one of the most shallow and self-serving people ever articulated …a veritable carnal queen. The book is set in the NY and international art world from the mid-80s through 2010….and frames it all in a dizzying array of detail, while touching on the semantic events of: the 90s economic boom, 9/11 and the 207 collapse of the economy. If you have any interest in the world of art….this is quite the primer. I savored all of this book and looked forward to my daily little chapters. Martin is a genuine artist.