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The Portrait

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The Portrait

By: Iain Pears
Narrated by: Peter Capaldi
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About this listen

A dark and disturbing tale set at the turn of the 20th century, by the bestselling author of An Instance of the Fingerpost.

The windswept isle of Houat, off the coast of Brittany, is no picturesque artists' colony. At the turn of the twentieth century, life is harsh and rustic. So why did Henry MacAlpine forsake London – where he had been fêted by critics and gallery owners, his works exhibited alongside the likes of Cezanne and Van Gogh – to make his home in this remote outpost?

The truth begins to emerge when, four years into his exile, MacAlpine receives his first visitor. Influential art critic William Nasmyth has come to the island to sit for a portrait. Over the course of the sitting, the power balance between the two men shifts dramatically as the critic whose pen could anoint or destroy careers becomes a passive subject. And as the painter struggles to capture Nasmyth's true character on canvas, a story unfolds – one of betrayal, hypocrisy, forbidden love, suicide and ultimately murder.

©2007 Iain Pears; (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, London, UK Crime Crime Thrillers Fiction Genre Fiction Modern Detectives Mystery Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Urban Detective Thriller Suspense

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Critic reviews

Praise for An Instance of the Fingerpost:

‘This is a novel that combines the simple pleasures of Agatha Christie with the intellectual subtlety of Umberto Eco. It is a landmark in the genre’ John Sutherland, Sunday Times

‘Enthralling… An Instance of the Fingerpost is a brilliant achievement… wholly absorbing’ T.J. Binyon, Evening Standard

‘A slippery thriller of audacious ingenuity’ Robert Minghall, Independent on Sunday

Praise for The Dream of Scipio:

‘Combining the visceral pleasures of a thriller with the more intellectual excitements of a novel of ideas… ‘ Sunday Telegraph

‘Combines dazzling erudition with assured narrative skills to offer glimpses of some of history’s darkest corners’ Independent on Sunday

‘Vivid, admirably imagined, ultimately very moving… This is a novel of the very highest ambition… Immediate, sensuous, beautiful’ Allan Massie, Scotsman
All stars
Most relevant
This is a remarkable book. The artist, who speaks throughout is an extraordinarily intense person. I will certainly listen to this again as there were many arresting moments I wanted to hold on to. There are moments of penetrating analysis of the creative process and the role of critics. It is a deeply philosophical work narrated by Peter Capaldi with a chilling and ferocious authority. I don't know if he has narrated other books but he is astounding in this work. What a perfect voice for the book! He identifies so completely with the character that it goes beyond performance. He speaks as if possessed by the spirit of the artist with great emotional subtlety, expressing the heightened sensibilities of a visionary and also sardonic wit and bile. Very highly recommended.
I intend to follow this author closely.

A tour de force.

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The story is good. I'm not familiar with the author's work otherwise, but this is well worth the listen. It helps if you have some interest in art because the story is immersed in that world, but it's enjoyable in any case. It repays multiple listens... I finished it the first time and immediately turned it back to the beginning to play it again. The last 45 minutes or so are really gripping... I kept giving sudden gasps that made my husband ask what I was listening to.

The story is told as a sort of conversation wherein only one person speaks, and I think some people, particularly with the print version, are put off by this, but that is much less of a problem with the audio version because of the magnificent Peter Capaldi, who adds the beating heart to the whole thing. I expect the print version must suffer by comparison without Capaldi's brilliant interpretation and delivery. I recommend this audiobook enthusiastically!

a good story, a wonderful narrator

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The narrator was excellent with just a couple of hesitations - he really portrayed the moods well though, and really contributed to drawing you in to the story.

I bought this book to read years ago and now on audiobook was hearing it for the first time but getting the story for a second time.

The book is just a long monologue with plenty of exposition, wandering off the main point, some surprises and namedropping along the way - it all adds up to a really absorbing tale, and one in which you keep wondering what it would be like to be on the receiving end of the monologue and of the sitter’s criticism. I have read almost all of Mr. Pears’ bookshop, so not a surprise that I enjoyed this one too. It seems like a long time has passed since his last one.

Absorbing monolgue

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Brilliant writing. Brilliant reading. Loved every second.
You know exactly where this is going but that doesn't matter - the careful preparation like a painter laying down layers of colour and shape is compelling. Peter Capaldi's reading is excellent - the complexity of Henry MacAlpine's anger, pride, vanity, love, as he broods over his vengeance. Just stunning. I will read this book but I wil hear Peter Capaldi in Henry MacAlpine's voice.

Brilliant

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What a voice, and how well did the narrator bring the (fascinating) story to life!
Set in the arts scene of the early 20th century, this novel, written by an art historian, explores the dynamic between painters, critics, art dealers etc. in a way that had me listen spellbound.

Excellent performance by Peter Capaldi

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