First off I want to thank Harper Perennials and Harper Paperbacks for giving me an advanced reader's copy of Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr and a chance to review it before it is published on March 1, 2022.
Where to start with this book besides that I absolutely loved it.
"Art never leaves, even when people do."
This novel pits these two fiercely dedicated women against each other in the quest to find the painting. Who will win: a dedicated investigative journalist, or the blood-thirsty gallerist.
Jules Roth has wanted to work for Dan Mansfield, the top investigative journalist in Chicago since she was a young girl. After college, she storms into Dan's office and convinces him to give her a job. She's passionate about the chase of the story and exposing the truth. Dan concedes and gives her a top-secret assignment that involved a good friend of Dan's, famous shoe designer Ellis Baum.
The story Jules has to investigate is a painting that was stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier, which Ellis has a deeply vested interest in. In order to get into the underground art world, they enlist Elli's artist grandson, Adam Baum. Adam has a connection to the most powerful gallerist in the world - Margaux de Laurent.
Margaux de Laurent, as mentioned, is a power gallerist who comes from a line of gallery owners. Margaux uses ruthless tactics to find the same painting as Jules, claiming her family owned it during the war. This painting was Margaux's grandfather's pride and joy and she wants it back.
Woman on Fire is a book that hooked me just by the cover - I absolutely love the view of wartime Europe with the vague pose of the painting - you can imagine the painting however you want to throughout the novel. I also enjoyed reading about Ellis Baum's connection with the painting and his life story - true rags to riches and beating all odds to become a success.
One thing I did not enjoy about Woman on Fire was the super neurotic characterization of Margaux de Laurent. I understand that she has severe trauma and is considered a psychopath, but I just didn't feel it for her. Her behavior, to me, was odd. She is an amazing character, but certain parts of how she was portrayed were odd.
Overall I truly loved this book and can't wait to get a physical copy when it is published March 1, 2022.
Comentarios