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The Portrait Audiobook by Iain Pears
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Title: The Portrait
Author: Iain Pears
Narrator: Peter Capaldi
Format: Unabridged
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Language: English
Release date: 10-09-07
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
The power balance between the two shifts dramatically from what it had been, with the critic now the passive subject while the painter struggles to capture the character of the man, as well as his image on canvas. And as the painting develops, so a story begins to emerge: one of betrayal, hypocrisy, forbidden love, suicide and ultimately murder. Reminiscing with ease and familiarity one minute, anger and menace the next, MacAlpine eventually reveals why he has accepted the commission of this portrait, why he left London mysteriously at the height of his success, and why, now, with dark determination, he feels ready to return.
Set against the dramatic, untamed landscape of Brittany, during one of the most explosive periods in art history, The Portrait is a darkly atmospheric, psychologically complex, macabre, and chilling tale from a master storyteller.
Critic Reviews:
"Beautifully written and disturbing, The Portrait is as good as anything the author has done." (The Times)
"It's obvious the artist plans to murder his sitter ¿ the suspense, artfully sustained, lies in finding out why." (Sunday Telegraph)
Members Reviews:
Compelling read.
Loved this dark thrilling book many years ago and have re-read it a number of times. Thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Peter Capaldi. So perfect a personification of Henry MacAlpine
a good story, a wonderful narrator
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 tour de force.
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.
Excellent performance by Peter Capaldi
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.
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By DOWNLOAD FULL AUDIOBOOKS FOR FREE ON HOTAUDIOBOOK.COMPlease open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.
Title: The Portrait
Author: Iain Pears
Narrator: Peter Capaldi
Format: Unabridged
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Language: English
Release date: 10-09-07
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
The power balance between the two shifts dramatically from what it had been, with the critic now the passive subject while the painter struggles to capture the character of the man, as well as his image on canvas. And as the painting develops, so a story begins to emerge: one of betrayal, hypocrisy, forbidden love, suicide and ultimately murder. Reminiscing with ease and familiarity one minute, anger and menace the next, MacAlpine eventually reveals why he has accepted the commission of this portrait, why he left London mysteriously at the height of his success, and why, now, with dark determination, he feels ready to return.
Set against the dramatic, untamed landscape of Brittany, during one of the most explosive periods in art history, The Portrait is a darkly atmospheric, psychologically complex, macabre, and chilling tale from a master storyteller.
Critic Reviews:
"Beautifully written and disturbing, The Portrait is as good as anything the author has done." (The Times)
"It's obvious the artist plans to murder his sitter ¿ the suspense, artfully sustained, lies in finding out why." (Sunday Telegraph)
Members Reviews:
Compelling read.
Loved this dark thrilling book many years ago and have re-read it a number of times. Thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Peter Capaldi. So perfect a personification of Henry MacAlpine
a good story, a wonderful narrator
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 tour de force.
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.
Excellent performance by Peter Capaldi
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.