Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

Author: B.A. Shapiro
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Released: June 17, 2025
Received: Library
Find it on Storygraph | More Art History

Book Summary:

The famous painting known as the Party on the Seine has a long and storied history. Now it has found its way into the hands of an unlikely person, Tamara Rubin. She’s not an art collector, nor did she go out of her way to find this piece. So, how did it happen?

Even before the painting was completed, there were many moving pieces revolving around it. Artists, assumptions, secrets, and more. 

My Review:

I absolutely adored The Art Forger, and pretty much from that moment onward, I’ve been hooked on B.A. Shapiro’s writing. That said, I think The Lost Masterpiece was a miss for me, and yes, I am shocked to say that.

Why? The short answer is that it tried to do too much. Like other Shapiro novels, it’s deeply informative and inquisitive about the world of art history. Unlike other works, it incorporates a few other elements, including multiple perspectives (into the past) and even a somewhat paranormal twist. Given that these are real historical artifacts and people we’re talking about, it just felt strange to me. I know I can be a bit particular about this kind of thing, though, so please don’t let my take set you running.

The Lost Masterpiece still has a lot to teach interested readers, as it digs into the history of Édouard Manet, Berthe Morisot, and the art scene in the 1800s. It also dives headfirst into a romantic tale. It’s not quite the tone or adventure I was expecting from previous novels or based on assumptions made by the title. So that may be my fault for going into this book with so many preconceived notions.

Highlights:

• Art History
• Multiple Timelines
• Historical Mystery

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