Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?

[arkitect]

That sounds fascinating.

It was rather.

Amazing the lengths people (the forgers and scammers) will go to deceive, and the willingness of some people (more money than brains buyers) to suspend disbelief.

Often the signs are blatantly obvious that the artwork is suspect — sketchy provenance, stylistic anomalies… and yet, and yet, people do so want to own a Jackson Pollock, Munch, Rothko that they disregard their common sense.

Only later when they want to sell their "investment" does the awful truth dawn. "What do you mean it isn't worth USD17MM?"

Greed and self delusion. Prime example? See DJT and his "Renoir".

Edit:
So out of curiousity and I often fall into these rabbit holes, I was looking at reserving the book "Fake : forgery, lies & eBay" at my library.
Yes, one copy available. Great!
Where?
Her Majesty's Prison The Verne.
Unable to place a reservation.

I laughed.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It was rather.

Amazing the lengths people (the forgers and scammers) will go to deceive, and the willingness of some people (more money than brains buyers) to suspend disbelief.

Often the signs are blatantly obvious that the artwork is suspect — sketchy provenance, stylistic anomalies… and yet, and yet, people do so want to own a Jackson Pollock, Munch, Rothko that they disregard their common sense.

Only later when they want to sell their "investment" does the awful truth dawn. "What do you mean it isn't worth USD17MM?"

Greed and self delusion. Prime example? See DJT and his "Renoir".

I remember reading an absolutely fascinating article some years ago about Han van Meegeran, the Dutch forger of Old Masters.

And yes, the greed of would be buyers. Equally fascinating - why people would put good sense and prudent judgment aside in the greedy desire to own something of that sort.

 

[TPadden]

And yes, the greed of would be buyers. Equally fascinating - why people would put good sense and prudent judgment aside in the greedy desire to own something of that sort.

Ah, the old egoistic vs altruistic motive fascination; greed I understand.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay.

 

[arkitect]

I remember reading an absolutely fascinating article some years ago about Han van Meegeran, the Dutch forger of Old Masters.

Han van Meegeren… his fake Vermeers were actually rather awful.
At first it was all about revenge on the art community for not recognising his true talent. So, he played out a theory by one of the eminent Vermeer experts of the time that Vermeer had travelled to Italy and had been influenced by Caravaggio among others… when van Meegeren's fake appeared this expert couldn't help himself and gave the fake his seal of authentication — the van Meegeren fake fitted his theory. And the rest of the experts followed like dominoes.

Van Meegeren was paid a massive sum — equal to several million today — by a museum consortium.
So he thought, "hummm… seems like easy money this." Didn't follow through by declaring the fraud and painted several more.
Lived the high life on the French Riviera, spent money like water… drugs and alcohol.

Of course the wheels came off after the war.
[doublepost=1550057525][/doublepost]

Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay.

The title puts me in mind of Sailing to Byzantium.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Han van Meegeren… his fake Vermeers were actually rather awful.
At first it was all about revenge on the art community for not recognising his true talent. So, he played out a theory by one of the eminent Vermeer experts of the time that Vermeer had travelled to Italy and had been influenced by Caravaggio among others… when van Meegeren's fake appeared this expert couldn't help himself and gave the fake his seal of authentication — the van Meegeren fake fitted his theory. And the rest of the experts followed like dominoes.

Van Meegeren was paid a massive sum — equal to several million today — by a museum consortium.
So he thought, "hummm… seems like easy money this." Didn't follow through by declaring the fraud and painted several more.
Lived the high life on the French Riviera, spent money like water… drugs and alcohol.

Of course the wheels came off after the war.

Fascinating story; I read an article about him years ago, which was a lot more sanitised, (although it did mention the early rejections which fuelled the desire for revenge) and attempted to portray him (as he tried to portray himself) as a hero who painted fake Old Masters which duped the thieves representing the interests of Hitler and Goering who were busy robbing venerable European galleries (and private collections) in order amass their own private collections.

[doublepost=1550057525][/doublepost]
The title puts me in mind of Sailing to Byzantium.

It is meant to; Guy Gavriel Kay writes elegant works set in alternative versions of known historical worlds.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Warbreaker by Brian Sanderson. Your standard high fantasy tale, yet one that is well developed as with everything Sanderson writes. Lots of underlying questions, and a good story and plenty of lovely characters, so I will also read the next one. Unfortunately he is a busy fellow, and the sequel is low on his list of sequels to write for his other worlds. Will likely land on a 5/5.
I am listening to it on audiobook from graphicaudiointernational.net, and I must say I really enjoy that. They use a full cast, and provide music and ambient noise and voices, to provide a really deep portrayal of the book. Definitely not the last time I've bought something from them.

Also reading The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin. A quite different approach to the apocalyptic scifi setting, where some people can interact with earth, and there are weird beings an flying obelisks around. It is written a little bit weirdly, and a few minor parts are quite dull, but overall the story is good. Will go for the sequel also, and likely land on a 4/5 at this point with 20% of the book left. Both it and it sequel got the Hugo, so I was expecting something good.

Recently finished War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. 4/5. Fine story, but completely not what I thought it was, as I didn't know it was a childrens book!
Also reread Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradburry, which is one of my favorites. 5/5.

Next up after Warbreaker, 1984 I think. I found it surprisingly dull the first time I listened to it, so lets see how I find it the second time around.

 

[Markdc]

Hi,
Just finished "the subtle art of not giving a ****"

 

[Gutwrench]

Hi,
Just finished "the subtle art of not giving a ****"

Mark Manson. I quote him here and there. Lol.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Lord of Emperors by Guy Gavriel Kay.

 

[LizKat]

It was rather.

Amazing the lengths people (the forgers and scammers) will go to deceive, and the willingness of some people (more money than brains buyers) to suspend disbelief.

Often the signs are blatantly obvious that the artwork is suspect — sketchy provenance, stylistic anomalies… and yet, and yet, people do so want to own a Jackson Pollock, Munch, Rothko that they disregard their common sense.

Only later when they want to sell their "investment" does the awful truth dawn. "What do you mean it isn't worth USD17MM?"

Greed and self delusion. Prime example? See DJT and his "Renoir".

Edit:
So out of curiousity and I often fall into these rabbit holes, I was looking at reserving the book "Fake : forgery, lies & eBay" at my library.
Yes, one copy available. Great!
Where?
Her Majesty's Prison The Verne.
Unable to place a reservation.

I laughed.

LOL --and still laughing-- at the material in your edit.

Signing off the internet on a high note of the day, thanks.

 

[0388631]

Continuing on that discussion, I'm reminded of Adolf Bergur. I forget his real life discrepancies, but a film was made based on his time in a camp during the war. And some American film came out months ago about a then shamed author who turned to forging typewritten letters to make ends meet.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Continuing on that discussion, I'm reminded of Adolf Bergur. I forget his real life discrepancies, but a film was made based on his time in a camp during the war. And some American film came out months ago about a then shamed author who turned to forging typewritten letters to make ends meet.

@Zenithal: When I see "American movie" and "historical event" in the one sentence, I find myself responding with either frank - and sometimes startled - disbelief, (because, as an historian, I usually have some knowledge of what form the arc of that narrative should take) or the older "willing suspension of disbelief" that accompanies one's trips to the theatre.

 

[0388631]

@Zenithal: When I see "American movie" and "historical event" in the one sentence, I find myself responding with either frank - and sometimes startled - disbelief, (because, as an historian, I usually have some knowledge of what form the arc of that narrative should take) or the older "willing suspension of disbelief" that accompanies one's trips to the theatre.

In reference to? I found the names of the films. I did some research on the second film, and any articles referencing its accuracy in relation to history and the late author's memoir put it at 90-95% accurate. They glimpsed over some less than important details, like her friend at the time's nationality and other minor issues that don't affect the film. Worth noting the film didn't have a large run.

As for the first film. It wasn't American, it was Austrian-German produced, a dual effort. I know little of Bergur and his actions apart from how he was portrayed in the film. For all I know the film could have several inaccuracies. Though it is worth teasing that Philomena took several of its own side-tracks and that wasn't produced by the Americans. In fact, having read both Sixsmith's book years before the film came out and having seen the film, the film was an abomination.

I bring up that specific film and book because I know you've both read it and have seen the film. So while the Americans have taken their fair share of artistic license over the years, others are not immune to it. Even one of my favorite author, Nick Hornby, has had a few of his adapted works butchered by both the Americans and the British.

 

[AVBeatMan]

“Bleak, dark, and piercing cold, it was a night for the well-housed and fed to draw round the bright fire, and thank God they were at home; and for the homeless starving wretch to lay him down and die. Many hunger-worn outcasts close their eyes in our bare streets at such times, who, let their crimes have been what they may, can hardly open them in a more bitter world.”
― Charles Dickens

Can’t beat a bit of Dickens!

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Finished 1984. Enjoyed it more the second time around, but oh boy, that third part is more or less one straight bad guy monologue, repeating everything the first two chapters went through, so that was surprisingly dull. 3,5/5 in the end, because it was so well written, and the message is more important than ever in a world where nationalism is becoming a plague.

Next up, The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P., #1) by Eoin Colfer, a free audiobook I got from SYNC back in 2014. It sounds.. Very Young Adult.. 8) "The reluctant assassin is Riley, a Victorian boy who is suddenly plucked from his own time and whisked into the twenty-first century, accused of murder and on the run.

Riley has been pulled into the FBI's covert W.A.R.P. operation (Witness Anonymous Relocation Program). He and young FBI Agent Chevie Savano are forced to flee terrifying assassin-for-hire Albert Garrick, who pursues Riley through time and will not stop until he has hunted him down. Barely staying one step ahead, Riley and Chevie must stay alive and stop Garrick returning to his own time with knowledge and power that could change the world forever."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Took another - a rapid, and fleeting - look at - the Sword of Shannara, an ancient swords'n'sorcery classic; granted, this sort of writing has't aged terribly well, but - while the adventure runs swiftly - the characters (especially the fairly predictable and feeble female characters) are such a cliché.

 

[pachyderm]

“Bleak, dark, and piercing cold, it was a night for the well-housed and fed to draw round the bright fire, and thank God they were at home; and for the homeless starving wretch to lay him down and die. Many hunger-worn outcasts close their eyes in our bare streets at such times, who, let their crimes have been what they may, can hardly open them in a more bitter world.”
― Charles Dickens

Can’t beat a bit of Dickens!

A Tale of Two Cities is my personal favorite.
[doublepost=1550573263][/doublepost]

Finished 1984. Enjoyed it more the second time around, but oh boy, that third part is more or less one straight bad guy monologue, repeating everything the first two chapters went through, so that was surprisingly dull. 3,5/5 in the end, because it was so well written, and the message is more important than ever in a world where nationalism is becoming a plague.

...

I didn't appreciate this one when I had to read it in H.S.

I love it now, as well the title I mentioned above.

Re-read them both as adults and regretted not putting more effort into them when I was younger.

 

[Gutwrench]

It took a while, but arrived yesterday.

 

[RootBeerMan]

Took another - a rapid, and fleeting - look at - the Sword of Shannara, an ancient swords'n'sorcery classic; granted, this sort of writing has't aged terribly well, but - while the adventure runs swiftly - the characters (especially the fairly predictable and feeble female characters) are such a cliché.

I always liked the series, myself. Most people look at it as swords and sorcery fantasy series, but it's actually a post-apocalypse series. It took the author quite a few years to get around to doing a time jump backwards to explain everything that led up to fantasy aspect. The later books were rather interesting in that and it added some very interesting elements to the canon.
[doublepost=1550581288][/doublepost]Just starting "Of Fire and Night" by Kevin J. Anderson. This is book 5 of his Saga of the Seven Suns series. It's a really good series with excellent writing, characters and a story that is compelling. Anderson really is a masterful writer and he's at the top of his form in this series. If you're looking for a good SF series, this is one to look at!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I always liked the series, myself. Most people look at it as swords and sorcery fantasy series, but it's actually a post-apocalypse series. It took the author quite a few years to get around to doing a time jump backwards to explain everything that led up to fantasy aspect. The later books were rather interesting in that and it added some very interesting elements to the canon.

Over time, for relaxation, I read quite a number of the books in the series and liked a few individual works (Elfstones of Shannara, and Elf Queen, in particular, although Walker Boh's narrative arc was interesting in the Talisman series), but, ultimately, found them repetitive.

Thinking of revisiting the Stravaganza series - the first three books were very good, although the series trailed off considerably after that.
[doublepost=1550582134][/doublepost]

A Tale of Two Cities is my personal favorite.
[doublepost=1550573263][/doublepost]

I didn't appreciate this one when I had to read it in H.S.

I love it now, as well the title I mentioned above.

Re-read them both as adults and regretted not putting more effort into them when I was younger.

A Tale of Two Cities is an excellent book (if informed by a particular political perspective).

If memory serves, Mrs Thatcher (at that time, Prime Minister), missing the point somewhat, gave a first edition copy of the work as a gift to M. Mitterrand (the then French President) in 1989 at a function to mark the bicentennial of the French Revolution.

1984 is an outstanding work, but so is Animal Farm, which I consider close to flawless both as a piece of literature and as an incredibly insightful work of political philosophy, and the study of power.

 

[pachyderm]

Finished the Alchemist.

On to some lighter fare:

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Re-reading some of the Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman. (City of Flowers, City of Secrets, City of Ships).

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Re-reading some of the Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman. (City of Flowers, City of Secrets, City of Ships).

To my mind, the weakest (by far) of the series is the last book - City of Swords, which is a pity, (and something that mars much fantasy writing) for the series is extremely good, and the first three books are excellent.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Debating what to read this evening.