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An Object of Beauty
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Campbell Scott
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
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Publisher's summary
Lacey Yeager is young, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the New York 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.
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Editorial reviews
Fans of Steve Martin might at first be disappointed when they note that the talented actor, writer, and musician doesn’t narrate his latest work himself. But once they hear Campbell Scott’s voice, their minor distress will be assuaged. Whether by nature or by practice, Scott’s voice is a near replica of Martin’s a baritone with a slightly nasal quality that rarely rises or falls in pitch, but still inexplicably conveys incredible depths of emotion.
An Object of Beauty thoroughly entrenches readers in the subculture of the Manhattan art world by following Lacey Yeager, a young, morally ambiguous art dealer who will do anything to make her mark and make her millions in the fine art business. Narrator Daniel Franks is an aspiring art writer and friend and witness to Lacey’s life and accidental co-conspirator to a misdeed that could ruin both their careers. Yet, like most people in Lacey’s life, Franks is drawn into her web willingly, due to her uncanny ability to beguile men, from wealthy art collectors to FBI agents a skill that aids her speedy ascension in her career.
Thanks to Scott’s pitch-perfect performance, Martin’s presence is felt and not missed throughout the reading. The subtle humor is sharp and the plot is driven forward by the desire to uncover where the boundaries of Lacey’s integrity lie if there are any. Part mystery, part intriguing character study, Martin’s latest creates a dilemma for the listener you don’t like the protagonist, yet you can’t help but want to know more about her and the sometimes seedy world in which she dwells. Colleen Oakley
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Terrible narration
- By Lisa Crispin on 03-04-22
By: M.L. Longworth
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Loot
- By: Aaron Elkins
- Narrated by: David Stifel
- Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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In April 1945, The Nazis, reeling and near defeat, frantically work to hide the huge store of art treasures that Hitler has looted from Europe. Truck convoys loaded with the cultural wealth of the Western world pour in an unending stream into the compound of the vast Altaussee salt mine high in the Austrian Alps. But with the Allies closing in, the vaunted efficiency of the Nazis has broken down. At Altaussee, all is tumult and confusion.
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This book was a wonderful example of why I normally avoid histfiction: too good, too gripping! Now I need to read Monuments Men!
- By Logophile on 08-01-24
By: Aaron Elkins
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Ghosts of Manhattan
- A Novel
- By: Douglas Brunt
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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It’s 2005. Nick Farmer is a 35-year-old bond trader with Bear Stearns clearing seven figures a year. The novelty of a work-related nightlife centering on liquor, hookers, and cocaine has long since worn thin, though Nick remains keenly addicted to his annual bonus. But the lifestyle is taking a toll on his marriage and on him.
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Great Book
- By Melvin on 06-30-15
By: Douglas Brunt
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Feint of Art
- An Annie Kincaid Mystery
- By: Juliet Blackwell, Hailey Lind
- Narrated by: Xe Sands
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Annie's got bad news for her ex-boyfriend, curator Ernst Pettigrew: the snooty Brock Museum's new 15-million-dollar Caravaggio painting is as fake as a three-dollar bill. And the same night Annie makes her shattering appraisal, the janitor on duty is killed - and Ernst disappears. To top it all off, a well-known art dealer has absconded with multiple Old Master drawings, leaving yet more forgeries in their places. Finding the originals - and pocketing the reward money - will get Annie's new landlord off her back.
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Huge Juliet Blackwell / Xe Sands Fan
- By Sandra Dunn on 11-18-17
By: Juliet Blackwell, and others
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A Grave Talent
- A Kate Martinelli Mystery, Book 1
- By: Laurie R. King
- Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan
- Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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The unthinkable has happened in a small community outside of San Francisco. A series of shocking murders has occurred, the victims far too innocent and defenseless. For Detective Kate Martinelli, just promoted to Homicide and paired with a seasoned cop who's less than thrilled to be handed a green partner, it's a difficult case that just keeps getting harder. Then the detectives receive what appears to be a case-breaking lead.
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Another Fantastic Series by Laurie R. King
- By Anna on 03-29-15
By: Laurie R. King
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A Rather Lovely Inheritance
- By: CA Belmond
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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This is your life Penny Nichols...Penny Nichols is a historical researcher working on a big-budget film in the south of France when she gets an urgent call. Her Aunt Penelope has just died, and Penny's presence is required in London for the reading of the will. With only a slim recollection of her eccentric aunt, Penny is astonished to learn that not only is she the bona fide heiress - but she's also been invited to put her research skills to work.
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Delightful Story with Excellent Narratation
- By AnJoMom16 on 01-13-15
By: CA Belmond
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Beer Money
- A Memoir of Privilege and Loss
- By: Frances Stroh
- Narrated by: Erin Bennett
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Frances Stroh's earliest memories are ones of great privilege: shopping trips to London and New York, lunches served by black-tied waiters at the Regency Hotel, and a house filled with precious antiques, which she was forbidden to touch. Established in Detroit in 1850, by 1984 the Stroh Brewing Company had become the largest private beer fortune in America and a brand emblematic of the American dream itself; while Stroh was coming of age, the Stroh family fortune was estimated to be worth $700 million.
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Beer boring
- By Richard E. Putt Jr. on 05-22-16
By: Frances Stroh
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My Mrs. Brown
- A Novel
- By: William Norwich
- Narrated by: Angela Brazil
- Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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When the grand dame of Ashville passes away, Mrs. Brown is called upon to inventory her estate and comes across a dress that changes everything. This isn't a Cinderella confection; it's a simple yet exquisitely tailored Oscar de la Renta sheath and jacket - a suit that, Mrs. Brown realizes with startling clarity, will say everything she has ever wished to convey. She must have it. And so Mrs. Brown begins her odyssey to purchase the dress.
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Sweet story
- By Pam Hewitt on 05-01-20
By: William Norwich
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Almost French
- By: Sarah Turnbull
- Narrated by: Caroline Lee
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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After backpacking her way around Europe journalist Sarah Turnbull is ready to embark on one last adventure before heading home to Sydney. A chance meeting with a charming Frenchman in Bucharest changes her travel plans forever. Acting on impulse, she agrees to visit Fredric in Paris for a week. Put a very French Frenchman together with a strong-willed Australian girl and the result is some spectacular - and often hilarious - cultural clashes.
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Almost Terrific
- By Elizabeth on 02-05-13
By: Sarah Turnbull
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A is for Alibi
- A Kinsey Millhone Mystery
- By: Sue Grafton
- Narrated by: Mary Peiffer
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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This is the first in the popular series featuring California investigator Kinsey Millhone. She's 32, twice divorced, no kids, an ex-cop who likes her work...and who works strictly alone!
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No More for Me
- By Robin on 07-12-08
By: Sue Grafton
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Upside Down Inside Out
- By: Monica McInerney
- Narrated by: Melissa Eccleston
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Ever been tempted to pretend you were someone exotic, someone adventurous, someone different? Set in Ireland, England and Australia, this is the funny and heart-warming story of two people whose lives are about to turn upside down and inside out. Eva is off to Australia on a break from her job in a Dublin delicatessen, hoping to forget a fizzled romance and find inspiration for a new career. Joseph is taking a holiday from his stressful London job. Each is on a search for some answers about life.
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The story was slow and whiney.
- By DTA on 08-22-15
By: Monica McInerney
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The President's Hat
- By: Antoine Laurain
- Narrated by: Luke Thompson, Peter Noble, David Timson, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Dining alone in an elegant Parisian brasserie, accountant Daniel Mercier can hardly believe his eyes when President François Mitterrand sits down to eat at the table next to him. After the presidential party has gone, Daniel discovers that Mitterrand’s black felt hat has been left behind. After a few moments’ soul-searching, Daniel decides to keep the hat as a souvenir of an extraordinary evening. It’s a perfect fit, and as he leaves the restaurant Daniel begins to feel somehow...different.
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You need this book. I need that hat.
- By Amber on 10-25-13
By: Antoine Laurain
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all but ego
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What listeners say about An Object of Beauty
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- L. O. Pardue
- 07-15-13
Modern to Contemporary Art History Lesson
I have enjoyed several books by Steve Martin. I don't know why that would be surprising as he has a strong talent across so many genres. I enjoy Martin's comedy and banjo playing, too.
This book is more of a very interesting history lesson of the contemporary art scene in NYC between 1990's - to current day. The ups and downs of the art scene are fast and thrilling. However, if you are looking for story with a strong plot, this audio book may be disappointing to you -- I think it is more a morality tale. The story is told in the third person by a character that could be "Martin-like". I understand that Martin has been an art collector in the past and knows this subject very well.
The story revolves around Lacey Yeager and how she started as a lowly, but ambitious, Sotheby's employee to owning her own contemporary art gallery. The story is further enhanced by making "life in NYC" a part of the story. It is easy to dislike Lacey from the very beginning, but the narrator makes up for it as he is very likeable. The narrator gets involved in a mysterious event with Lacey that creates some suspense. In addition, there are lots of interesting characters and events throughout the story.
It is the education of the art world that captivated me about this book. It has only caused me to be more interested in learning more about the art world. Often, the book brought up "What makes art good?" I think that only makes art even more interesting to understand. Bravo to Steve Martin on a job well done.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall
- david d.
- 06-25-11
Don't believe the bad reviews.
A good book, the reader really captures Steve Martin's "voice."
I think there is a lot of Somerset Maughan in this book, and that's a good thing in my mind.
Spoiler Alert, don't read anymore if you don't want a spoiler.
I expect it would have been tempting to murder this girl, and I expect that Steve Martin felt some pressure to kill her off. He resisted, I think correctly.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Barbara Z
- 03-19-19
Steve Martin's best
I was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I love Steve Martin for his acting and comedy, and I have enjoyed reading some of his other books. I consider this his masterpiece. The story and characters were compelling, and I was fascinated by the glimpse into the business side of the art world. I highly recommend it!
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- JLB
- 06-17-19
Wow
Steve Martin...... really gets it. Damn. Brilliant impression of the art world and its various characters. Loved the crystal clear focus on personal drive and the thoughtful articulation of this elitist international network of luxurious aesthetic fetishism. I have to also commend him on his elegantly dignified description of sex scenes, which never comes close to vulgarity. Reviewers who said "nothing happens" clearly don't know anything about the actual melodrama that defines the contours of the art world, which wraps itself like a snake around personal and professional lives of all who truly inhabit it. Finished it in a day!
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- Brent
- 10-20-16
Great Art book, bad story
Love Martin but I found this book to be one long saunter through the life of the main character. I really enjoyed all of the detailed art content though. Overall, I enjoyed it but found myself wondering what the point was sometimes.
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- Kimberly
- 09-26-12
Read this book if you are fascinated by NYC/Art
This book is not for everyone. Do not read this book because you love Steve Martin. He's not in the book. His comedy is not in the book. No character in the book is based on him. The characters are compelling and the story is a fascinating, nicely-paced tribute to NYC folklore, with just enough truth to make it believable. If you are a genuine Art snob, you may find the name dropping and background information tedious -- but if you are a curious person who has either lived in New York or likes (maybe not loves) Art, you will enjoy this book. I put off reading this book for a long time - somewhat deterred by the reviews - but I am sorry I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and am continually impressed by the wide range of Steve Martin's talents.
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- A. Navar
- 10-26-12
Modern Art world history
Where does An Object of Beauty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I rank it in the upper third of all books I've listened to.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Lacey. Because she was a manipulative scoundrel. Interesting character.
Have you listened to any of Campbell Scott’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There was not.
Any additional comments?
I enjoy Steve Martins books, he is a talented writer.
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- Hylanos
- 04-18-23
Great Performance, but Better with Book In-Hand
I've loved this book for a while now, but as I don't have as much free time, I opted for the audiobook.
SPOILERS
First off, the story. I think it's compelling hearing Lacey's ambition come to fruition, even if its sometimes unethical. Its good to have fantasy like that, so we can fantasize about our own immorality.
When viewed as a cautionary tale, I think An Object of Beauty succeeds. While Lacey does sleep her way out of legal consequences, she alienates everyone she knows and is all but kicked out of New York. She is planted firmly in Atlanta, GA, taking care of her scorned mother, with her reputation in the art world soured. It is a perfect prison of her own making.
However, I think there is a lot of buildup, and I don't know if there's enough payoff. Martin spends most of the book building up Lacey in a positive manner, and I think that deserves something a little more explosive.
As for my preference of the book in physical form, its pages are interspliced with beautiful color images of the artworks that the book describes. While audiobooks and traditional reading already have distinct experiences, I think having the book in front of you with pictures included is the superior format, as with the audiobook, i found myself pausing to look up artists or pieces more than a few times.
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Overall
- Carri
- 12-22-10
For the art educated...
It may be that one needs to be more educated in the art business to fully appreciate the nuances, but the story and characters are not deeply enough developed for me. However, if you are looking for a quick listen and love Manhattan it holds its own!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Steve
- 04-13-11
Steve Martin is brilliant. Campbell Scott perfect.
I am not very interested in the NYC art world, not much into art at all really... and I loved this book from start to finish. I love all Steve Martin's work. Insightful, intelligent and thoroughly captivating. A great read, er listen. Steve Martin is brilliant. Campbell Scott's narration and interpretation of the many varied voices was simply perfect throughout.
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1 person found this helpful