Unputdownables Book Club discussion

I'm about half way through this book already. Has anyone else started?

Ok... almost finished. Interested in hearing what people are thinking. Don't want to say too much in case people aren't far into it.

What do you think of Lacey so far?

Loved this book! And I was so surprised to learn how talented Steve Martin is at writing - amazing! Will definitely have to read Shopgirl now.

As far as Lacey goes - I loved her character and hated her character at the same time. She is such a selfish person and definitely manipulative and yet at the same time I relished her ability to be able to get what she wanted no matter what. In a way she was fearless - which is something I would like to be. Of course she is a lonely person, which is sad, but understandable considering her character. She is definitely an interesting woman to read about.

I have to say I loved learning about the NYC art world and truly enjoyed looking at the painting that they would discuss within the novel. This is my top read so far this year.

What about you lot, what did you all think about the behind scenes look at the NYC art scene? Were any of you familiar with it? And what did you think about Lacey's friend writing this book about her - the fact that even he admitted to making up bits about what all happened considering he wasn't always around her? And were you surprised or disappointed with the art crime committed in the book?

I also relished (good word choice, Nadia) Lacey's ability to get what she wanted... I am much more timid than she. However, it made me feel a little bit better that she didn't actually get everything she wanted. She reminds me so much of lots of people our age here in LA, who are trying so hard to fit into the scene that they want to be a part of. It equals a lot of fake-ness and get very annoying. It seems that the art world of 1990's NYC was very similar.

I also adored learning about the art world. It made me want to run out to a museum, haha! I especially liked that they included the pieces in the book so that those of us who are not as familiar with art, could know what the text was referring to.

As far as Daniel writing the book about her -- I think he was right when he said Lacey would have wanted it... she's that kind of person. She wanted so much to be seen and to be important. I do wonder what happened with him and the girl (was it Tracy Ross?). It almost ended openly which, in any other case, would make me wonder if the author was going to write a sequel. But this doesn't strike me as the type of book to have a sequel.

Wallace, are we the only ones who read this one? Yikes!

Anyhow, I agree with you about Lacey liking the idea of Daniel writing a book about her - she is that type of person. Yeah, I also wondered what happened with him and that chickee. I doubt there'd be a sequel,too. But I do like the open ended ending - leaves it up to us to imagine what would happen.

Like you, made me want to go to a museum - like the newly made over Dali museum here in FL. I went to it ages ago and read an article about all the renovations and figure its time to re-visit Dali (he's my fave artist).

You know, looking over what you wrote about the fake-ness led me to remember the Bret Easton Ellis books I've read - like Less Than Zero and reminds me how brilliantly he captured that period's mood, which is what Martin did in this book (except maybe not as brilliantly, but just as good). Actually reminds me I need to get a hold of Imperial Bedrooms. But I digress. All in all, definitely a great book! I read a review yesterday and the blogger said they just didn't like it, because they felt that the author was too disconnected from the characters - which I personally enjoyed that aspect of the book. I felt it added to the detachment of Daniel and Lacey's friendship ( like how it slowly dissipated). What do you think?

Oh I liked the detachment as well. I think it was very much on purpose to make us actually feel how Lacey was. She was so detached from emotions... for her family (and grandmother), friends, lovers. She had no real connections -- only those that got her somewhere. I think Martin would not have been able to successfully tell the story if it hadn't been that way.

The other thing I loved was how he used the chapters to accentuate that feeling. He was not flowery with his writing. he was to the point and his chapters were short. I feel like Lacey would have been that way while interacting with people. Not super girly, but rather to the point and a little cold with that sort of mysterious attractiveness to her.

I haven't read any Bret Easton Ellis (though he is on my shelf and I SHOULD read him). What is Imperial Bedrooms?

I totally agree with you! Martin's style and tone reflected Lacey so well, that any other way would have detracted from the story.

Imperial Bedrooms is his follow up to Less Than Zero ( which I loved!). I remember reading Lunar Park and getting freaked out because of this Furby like character he has in the book - it gave me nightmares - LOL! Definitely read his work when you get a chance.