The multi-talented Steve Martin is a very busy man. He acts, directs and writes plays, screenplays and novels. This new book, an Object of Beauty is a romp through the New York art scene, and he writes very convincingly of the goings on behind the paintings and people of the contemporary gallery world.
The story starts in the early 1990′s and is narrated by Daniel Franks, an art journalist. It is mostly about Lacey Yeager, a girl he met in college, and has been fascinated by ever since. Lacey is sexy, brave and after a short time of working at Sotheby’s art auction house develops an idea of where she wants to be. After a while she opens her own gallery, and becomes a very successful. But when the GFC hits she and many others find art becomes a luxury that even the very rich a wary of. The parties, and silliness of the art world make for a great story, and Lacey, though not always likeable, is an interesting character. Daniel is writing the story as a way of stopping having to think about her, because he wants to move on from her orbit, which he keeps being drawn into. I’m not sure if his plan worked.
Very enjoyable. Paperback, $33 Heather
