The Forgery of Venus: A Novel
by Michael Gruber
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Book Summary Information
Author: Michael GruberEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-04-01
ISBN: 0060874481
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: William Morrow
Book Reviews of The Forgery of Venus: A Novel
Book Review: Art Is Not The Subject
Summary: 4 Stars
Michael Gruber is a fine writer. I have read all of his published work with the exception of "The Witch's Boy". The omission is not for a specific reason; I simply have not gotten to that work as of yet. Just as he did with "The Book Of Air And Shadows" he provides the reader with the background that is necessary for the enjoyment of this work. You did not need to be a scholar of Shakespeare to enjoy his last book and you need not be an art history major any more than you need a degree in psychiatry or medicine to enjoy his offering this time through.
This book is about reality and various characters perception of it. The views of events are made more complex because of the history of the main character and those around him who witnessed his bizarre and destructive behavior. Perception of experience in general and events in particular make for fascinating discussion with sober minds and witnesses with integrity. The author has given us a protagonist who is at once gifted and terribly self-destructive. His recreational drug use suggests he has the constitution of a lab rat. When sober he then becomes a voluntary test subject for mind-altering drugs in a clinical study.
Once this begins things get a bit too muddled. We don't need a Nazi playing the role of resident evil and the cast of characters ready to exploit the main character regardless of the damage to him is remarkable for these are not all strangers. Mr. Gruber gives us acquaintances of varying degree to demonstrate how horrible we can be to one another. I also felt the debates between characters in the book about what is real truly was about what is expedient. Self-interest trumps insight in this tale.
I really enjoy this author and I look forward to what he will bring next. Despite some bits I found annoying I like the central character in this work and would happily enjoy reading of him again. Mr. Gruber has written multiple books with the same characters in the past, I hope he does so once more.
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