Et cetera : What We're Reading: The English Masterpiece

Our library recently received a shipment of newly released fiction, and of course I had to choose several of them immediately! This was my first experience with Katherin Reay, but I liked her style of writing. One of my ‘pet peeves’ when reading is an author that inserts phrases in another language, or colloquial terms or slang without informing the reader of the meaning. For instance, a couple is said to live ‘over a chippy.’ I had to look it up and found that it is a little shop in England that sells fish and fries called ‘chips.’ (Chips as we know them are ‘crisps!’)

This book caught and held my interest and had many well-described characters. People were included from England and several other European countries; there is even a handsome American man who is a police detective in the art world. We have a variety of social classes as well; everything from a janitor, a museum guard, and several art students to millionaires and heiresses.

Lily loves art and has studied it for years, even experimenting with copying the styles and techniques of the masters. She has landed an enviable job in an art museum as Assistant Keeper of the Modern Collections.

During an important exhibition that is meant to make a real impact for Lily’s boss, Diana, Lily stands before a half-million-dollar Picasso and declares “That’s a forgery!” Chaos ensues. I really enjoyed this story, and I think you will too. You can pick up a copy in large print at the Vinton Public Library.

~Connie