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Synopsis (From Goodreads):
For the nearly nine million people who live in New York City, Grand Central Terminal is a crown jewel, a masterpiece of design. But for Clara Darden and Virginia Clay, it represents something quite different.
For Clara, the terminal is the stepping stone to her future, which she is certain will shine as the brightly as the constellations on the main concourse ceiling. It is 1928, and twenty-five-year-old Clara is teaching at the lauded Grand Central School of Art. A talented illustrator, she has dreams of creating cover art for Vogue, but not even the prestige of the school can override the public's disdain for a "woman artist." Brash, fiery, confident, and single-minded--even while juggling the affections of two men, a wealthy would-be poet and a brilliant experimental painter--Clara is determined to achieve every creative success. But she and her bohemian friends have no idea that they'll soon be blindsided by the looming Great Depression, an insatiable monster with the power to destroy the entire art scene. And even poverty and hunger will do little to prepare Clara for the greater tragedy yet to come.
Nearly fifty years later, in 1974, the terminal has declined almost as sharply as Virginia Clay's life. Full of grime and danger, from the smoke-blackened ceiling to the pickpockets and drug dealers who roam the floor, Grand Central is at the center of a fierce lawsuit: Is the once-grand building a landmark to be preserved, or a cancer to be demolished? For Virginia, it is simply her last resort. Recently divorced, she has just accepted a job in the information booth in order to support herself and her college-age daughter, Ruby. But when Virginia stumbles upon an abandoned art school within the terminal and discovers a striking watercolor hidden under the dust, her eyes are opened to the elegance beneath the decay. She embarks on a quest to find the artist of the unsigned masterpiece--an impassioned chase that draws Virginia not only into the battle to save Grand Central but deep into the mystery of Clara Darden, the famed 1920s illustrator who disappeared from history in 1931.
Review:
A good historical fiction book is a jewelry box of little gems. Fine details such as what people wear, how they speak, and what they do for fun bring the era written about to life. There are a treasure trove of these in Fiona Davis's new book, The Masterpiece.
What I Liked:
Settings:The story takes place in New York City, but in two different times: the 1920's and the 1970's. This allowed for lots of fun situations to be explored such as the Roaring Twenties and the Swinging Seventies. Both eras were times of enormous change in America, and for the main characters.
Historical Details:
Since the main character in the 1920's story (Clara) is a commercial illustrator, the author effectively uses this to show the fashions, and products, of the day. Great attention is also given to the architectural details of Grand Central Terminal in New York, both in how it was in it's hay days of the 1920's, and when it was deemed an eyesore in the 1970's.
Characters:
Clara, a female artist, is the focus of the story taking place in the 1920's. I loved how driven she was to make a living as an artist. She was bold, (and needed to be) as obstacles were put in her way because she was a woman.
Newly divorced Virginia was not as likable, at first. With her lack of confidence and naivety, it was hard to relate to her. But in order for her character to develop, she needed to start at the bottom. She later did change into a person I would want to know better, which was a treat to read.
Story:
Both stories are about women who begin in the shadows of men. They must learn that in order to thrive, they must rely upon themselves. I liked this message. It was empowering without man-hating.
In the 1920's story, Clara pursues her career as an artist while navigating the expectations for women of that time. I loved the details of the art school and the art scene in New York.
In the 1970's story, Virginia is divorced and trying to make it on her own. She starts out in the mindset that someone should take care of her. I liked how she persevered, gaining new appreciation for working-class people, and New York.
What I didn't Like:
There were some things that I felt were not successful in this book. There were several coincidences that were hard to accept, but were crucial to the story. Virginia just happens to date the lawyer who is leading a lawsuit to remove Grand Central's protected Landmark status. She also finds a lost piece of art and conveniently has an art history degree. I found that these made the story not ring as true as it could have. And I wish the ending didn't quite so neatly wrap everything up. A few loose ends, and some regrets about lost opportunities, would have made this story more touching.Overall:
I found this to be a mostly engaging, fun book with strong female characters. I liked all the historical details, and the themes of empowerment. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will be entertained by this book.
Rating:
Release Date: August 7th, 2018
Author: Fiona Davis
Publisher: Dutton
Page Length: 368 Pages
Source: Edelweiss
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: This captivating historical novel would be a good choice for book clubs.
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