The Modigliani Scandal: A Novel

I enjoyed this book it seemed rather short as I have read the historical trilogies before reading this one but I enjoyed it none the less.

Not the best of Follett but an enjoyable read.

A typically good Follett read but not as smooth as his usual work. For example, he usually does not include in his stories an apparently unnecessary aside without a connection to the plot ultimately to be revealed with an “oh yes” reader response. In this story, however, Sarah, the sexually unfaithful wife of Julian (who is a wannabe London art gallery owner and who has been financially up-fronted by Sarah’s extremely wealthy and art devote daddy) after Julian discovers and photographs Sarah in an adulterous situation (typically carefully described by Follett), usually weekly joins Julian for dinner with daddy. Daddy has an extensive collection of master pieces including a recently discovered and long lost Modigliani which Julian’s actress friend and her boyfriend want to see. So Julian arranges for the actress and boyfriend to attend one of the weekly dinners. Follett has them all seated at the dinner table after viewing the collection but passingly notes that Sarah is not with them this evening. For the rest of the novel I looked for the significance of Sarah’s absence, to no avail. It wasn’t there; it seemed superfluous if intreging. Even so, this is still a well worked story with an inventive way, if a bit contorted but believable, of faking a painting’s provenance so that two idealistic young artists can seriously prank the art gallery greed that keeps artists from receiving just recommence for their work and get away with it by the skin of their teeth. Those who hunger and thirst for justice will love the ending.

Follett is my favorite author, but this book just never really takes off for me. Seems very shallow compared to his others.

I am a long time fan of Ken Follett, but this one goes 'way back to the 70's and I had not read it before. It is a very short book, only a little over 200 pages. In the beginning, it seemed confusing because it was not immediately clear how some of the characters fit into the plot, but all became clear about halfway through. It is not my favorite of Follett's books by a long shot, but I thought it was enjoyable, especially toward the end.

This talented writer got bogged down with a stilted plot and gratuitous sex scenes. Not up to his usual quality.

The cast of characters was interesting also liked how they were integrated into the story which made the story line flow. The ending was not what I expected so a pleasant surprise. The art world is more complex than one would imagine and can be very ruthless in the quest for a painting by one of the acknowledged masters.

The "Modigliani Scandal" is another exciting novel that one has come to expect from Ken Follett. It always takes some time to sort out the characters and how they interact with each other in Ken Follett's books. However, the effort is worth it as he spins a web of mystery and suspense that make his books worth reading. "Modigliani Scandal" does not disappoint and keeps the reader involved and wondering what happens next until the always unexpected conclusion. It's enjoyable reading and trying to out guess the author. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys good writing and loves trying to solve the mystery before the author reveals it.

...but if you thinking of buying this because you are a lover of Ken Follett's books then two words: caveat emptor.It would be very easy to knock "The Modigliani Scandal", but come on, we all have to start somewhere. OK so its a simple read although there are too many characters for the scale of the story that makes it confusing at times and difficult to remember who's who, there is a quite a lot of fluff that just fills out the page count, and yes it's too contrived and there are too many coincidences, and of course it's dated; I could go on but you get the point. But as a quirky little tale it's quite fun; there's a twist in the last few pages that is worth waiting for and you can detect the signature "Follett" style that would emerge fully formed later, but here it's a bit raw, in many ways a lot like an early Modigliani before he properly hit his stride.So while it's not a five star read, it's quirky and would make a nice little two hour period TV piece for a Bank Holiday weekend, so give it a chance but remember you have been warned.

This book remind me of a real life modigliani scandal that happened in Livorno in the early eighties.The all city was looking for some works that the modigliani himself presumably threw in a canal after being annoyed and depressed with all the critics and teases on his works.A young medicine student at his first year with no art experience with the help of few friends one night sculpted one head in the modigliani style and threw it in the canal near where the council was excavating.Few days after that sculpture was everywhere in the news and special tv programs where hold with art critics appreciating the fine art of the sculpture that unmistakably belonged to the famous painter.An other two sculpture where found ,to later discover belonged to a different forger,in the following days and the all country was amazed and the heads where exposed in museums for people to see, until the two forgers come out and ridiculed all the art experts in what resulted in one of the biggest scam of the century.Going back to the book is a very light entertaining read far from the more polished Follett we know and love but nonetheless a must read for Ken fans.

This felt like a jumble, and it felt like it had been written a long time ago. It didn’t flow, and the characters were pretty much too well behaved. At times I was expecting everyone to come to Mummy and Daddy’s for a glass of lemonade and some scrumptious cake. Even the ruffians at the end were thinly drawn. The author, in his introduction, describes the novel as deliberately different, and uses words such as capers to describe the tone. He acknowledges it wasn’t to everyone’s tastes, and certainly not to mine.

I've had this a while, but not got around to reading it yet. The main reason for this, is because the pages have ALL, been strangely printed. It's in English, but, there are numerous things that have been done to the text. Which has put me off slightly, from starting the story! In all my years of reading, I have NEVER, had a book, that has had things done to the text, to put me off starting its story!

In the introduction, you are made aware that this was written several decades ago, highlighted , at one point, when one of the characters tips a London cabbie several shillings. While everyone seems to be chain smokers. But, in my opinion, the book is worth the effort and I didn't anticipate the twist at the end, very good.The book also shines a spotlight on the hypocrisy of the art world, which is as true now as when the book was written.