The Masterpiece
Fiona Davis
Rave
Positive
Mixed
Pan
The Masterpiece
Fiona Davis
Rave
Positive
Mixed
Pan
Rave
Positive
Mixed
Pan
Fiona Davis expertly weaves the stories of Clara and Virginia together, making one wonder how the two will ultimately connect. Within these two timeframes, Davis vividly captures the glittering heyday of Grand Central Terminal in the 1920s and its decay by the 1970s. Davis also brings to light the building’s history, especially the fight to save it from demolition. Ultimately, the theme of Davis’ book is powerful: two strong, independent women, each trying to change their circumstances, all within the backdrop of one of New York City’s most beautiful buildings..
Clara and Virginia are fierce, vulnerable and unwavering in their determination to right wrongs.
Davis...has written another paean to a New York City landmark. Historical fiction fans will love the compelling dual narrators and time periods perfectly captured in this novel based on the history of one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world..
Fiona Davis has established herself as a master of historical settings and fictional recollections of those worlds.
As she did with the Barbizon Hotel in The Dollhouse (2016) and the Dakota in The Address (2017), Davis uses an iconic NYC building as the backdrop for the story of two women whose lives intersect across time.
With a wonderful feminist thread, I marveled at the way Clara in the 1920s was initially more of a pioneer and champion of women than Virginia in 1974. I found myself considering how society and upbringing influenced each woman. In what ways had our culture advanced—or not—in those decades? What informed and shaped women in each era, and those between and since?.
At times, the art-history lesson towers over the story, resulting in less tension and lower stakes than in Davis’ earlier novels. Still, with richly drawn characters living in two storied eras, there is much to be enchanted by..
...splendid.