Tuesday Nights in 1980; Molly Prentiss
Gallery/Scout Press - 2016
Tuesday Nights in 1980s was very different kind of story for me, it felt kind of edgy. It's a story about the SoHo art scene from 12/31/79 through the end of 1980.
James Bennett is an unusual art critic with synesthesia, a condition that allows him to see, hear, smell and feel the world in an usual way. Raul Engages is an orphaned, Argentinian exile whose art is on the verge of being discovered. Lucy Ollison is their muse, a high school girl from Idaho who escapes to New York looking for something more than Idaho has to offer.
The story shifts in POV between the characters who have come to the New York art scene to escape their past, each having experienced loss of some kind. Each character is flawed, selfish and not very likable yet their story felt real. The author did a great job making these disconnected characters come together. I thought the writing was very good but, very different At times I found this book a bit challenging yet, I loved the reading about the NY art scene before gentrification.
Readers looking for something different should try this debut. The writing and character development was well done.
4/5 stars
(review copy)
You've certainly piqued my interest. This book might suit me better in the winter.
ReplyDeleteI'm s seasonal reader Kathy but, this one is good all year round IMO
DeleteI have this on my "must try before EOY" TBR list. Now I just need to get to some of those books!
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to hear your thoughts at some point.
DeleteEdgy is good, sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI do like edgy!
DeleteI borrowed this from the library, but got distracted by another book before I really got into it. Sounds like I should check it out again!
ReplyDeleteVery different, some parts worked better than other but, I am glad I tried it.
DeleteI'd like to get to this one before the year is out, but I don't know if I'll be able to. Your review is only the second I've read, and both of you enjoyed it. I didn't realize it had an edge to it. I think I'd like that about it.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I was on the fence about reading it but after reading Ti's review, and how much she enjoyed it, I knew I had to try it.
DeleteI also thought it was a very different kind of story. There were some bits that I felt were very well done and others that I thought were a little underdone but, months after reading it, elements have stayed with me, which is always a good sign.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you shared your thoughts here as I've only read one other review and that person loved it. Like you some of the story worked better than other parts.
DeleteDiane, I just read Naida's review of this a short while ago today. It sounds like you enjoyed reading it. I think I'd enjoy the book as well.
ReplyDeleteI usually like books about art scenes. I was glad to see your review because I was thinking about trying this one.
ReplyDeleteYes, this subject really interests me.
ReplyDeleteMiss Cellany.