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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin (audio)

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Description

Lacey Yeager is young, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the NYC 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.

About the Author

Steve Martin is a legendary writer, actor, and performer. His film credits include Father of the Bride, Parenthood, The Spanish Prisoner, and Bringing Down the House, as well as Roxanne, L.A. Story, and Bowfinger, for which he also wrote the screenplays. He’s won Emmys for his television writing and two Grammys for comedy albums. In addition to a play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, he has written a bestselling collection of comic pieces, Pure Drivel, and a bestselling novella, Shopgirl, which was made into a movie. His work appears frequently in The New Yorker and The New York Times.

From AudioFile

This spare, focused book takes us back to the late 1990s, when art was a commodity for the very wealthy and a coin of the realm for admission to the upper class. It’s a character study, a light mystery, and an entertaining look at a world that few people see up close. Campbell Scott is an inspired choice as narrator. His measured, understated tone captures the essence of the book, and he only slightly changes his for voice its characters. His leisurely pace draws our attention to the plot details and illuminates the author’s asides about the art world. What’s even more impressive, though, is that Scott actually sounds like Steve Martin. It’s uncanny, and it works beautifully. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

 Details

  • Audio CD
  • Publisher: Hachette Audio; Unabridged edition (November 23, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 160788612X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1607886129

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

 MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

    I normally tear through Steve Martin’s stories, but this one had a lot of information about international art trade and the New York art scene.  I really had to absorb the information to understand all of the plot points. The story revolves around Lacey and I am not really sure if she is good or bad, so I suppose like most people she has a bit of both.  Daniel is more of a narrator than actual character although he does tell the story from an observer’s point of view and acts as a voice of reason even when he finds Lacey has used him in one of her schemes. 

    A key point that is when Lacey finds out the biggest new name in art is a former boyfriend using the moniker of Pilot Mouse and of course Lacey uses that to her advantage, playing upon the giant egos that exist when money and objects collide.  Martin lampoons people who buy art for no other reason than to own it.  He explained this syndrome rather well when he appeared on the Colbert Report recently.  This is overall of Martin’s more in depth books and it is well worth reading.
    I received this book at no charge from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

    WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

    Contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing addresses (no PO Boxes)

    Contest ends on 2.19.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on  2.20.11
    Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
    This giveaway is sponsored by Hachette Book Group and up to 2 audio books will be available.
    Only one winner per household address!

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    Comments

    14. I’ve been a fan of Steve Martins since the SNL days. Loved him playing the banjo with the arrow on his head wearing the white suit. Would love to read this book.

      susanbillietaylor [at]gmail [dot] com

    15. (Daily entry for Feb. 4)

      We’re Steve Martin fans from way back, my son had one of those arrow-through-the-head things that Steve wore when he did standup!

      Tony
      tonyrosita (at) yahoo (dot) com

    18. I’m very interested in the contemporary art world and I think Steve Martin, who’s been a savvy and passionate art collector for a long time, would provide a fascinating look into this world.

      patricia (dot) mariani (dot) esq (at) gmail (dot) com

    23. I keep thinking about the range this guy has. He was the “Wild and Crazy Guy” and an accomplished novelist/playwright, just amazing!

      Tony (rositatony AT yahoo DOT com)

      daily entry 2.5.11

    29. Saw Steve talking with Charlie Rose about this book and their conversation really piqued my interest — would love to win the audio book!

      Tony
      (rositatony {at} yahoo dot com)

      Daily entry for 02/06

    32. Just started getting into audio books and I think this would be a great book to listen to —

      rosita DOT p DOT mariani AT gmail DOT com

      daily entry for 2/6 (Please don’t count the comment above, Mary, I forgot to include my email address in that one. Sorry!)

    50. Would love the chance to listen to this audio book.

      patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

      Daily Entry February 9

    57. Saw Steve Martin’s Picasso ply years ago and really enjoyed it.

      Tony
      daily entry for Feb. 10
      rositatony (at) yahoo (dot) com

    88. Just reread the blurb about the audio version that said Campbell Scott is the reader. (I guess it just didn’t sink in when I first read it!) The AudioFile blurb writer thought that Scott did a wonderful job, even seeming to approximate Steve’s voice. It struck me that Campbell Scott appeared with Steve in The Spanish Prisoner — nice coincidence, kind of a “Six Degrees of Steve Martin”!

      daily entry: Feb. 14.

      patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    97. Today’s entry comment/2.15

      Okay, let’s get serious now, I want to win! 🙂
      Tony
      rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

    111. Thanks for hosting this great giveaway!
      Tony
      rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com
      my daily entry comment for today: Feb. 17.

    119. Today’s comment 02.18
      Tony
      rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com
      Thanks for the chance to win this great audio book.

    127. Thanks for the giveaway! Steve Martin, the author, hmmm….. I’ve never read anything by him before but if he’s as good an author as he is an actor this book should be a winner. Count me in!

      BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    133. ROSITA — rosita.p.mariani

      ELIZABETH — elizabeth.harkinson

      An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). The winner(s) has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

      Thanks to all who entered.

      PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!