The Masterpiece: A Novel

Fiona Davis’ new novel “The Masterpiece” is as brilliant as a shining star, a magnificent historical tale that takes the reader back in time to both the 1920s and the 1970s. Fiona’s talent wondrously builds the lives of two courageous strong women by weaving the past into the present, alternating back and forth in such a seamless manner that you believe you are in one world, not two. Near the end of the Roaring Twenties, young Clara Darden runs from family disgrace back in Arizona and lands underneath the bright city lights of New York City. Back home she taught art in a local school but found her life empty and without purpose. Hoping to turn her life around, she lands a job working as a teacher of illustration in the train terminal’s Grand Central School of Art. Meeting many interesting people, fellow teachers and talented young students, she begins to outshine them and everyone involved has a thing or two to learn. Surrounded by Bohemian artists and men to fall in love with, Clara’s life soon rockets to success as she becomes a famous magazine illustrator. But all does not end well for Clara. Broken hearts, scandals, and the coming economic depression, twist her life into a tailspin of doubt leaving her future dim and uncertain. Fast forward to 1974 and we meet Virginia Clay. Coming hard off the heels of a bitter divorce, and a tragic secret she guards with her life, she is a single mom trying to keep a roof over her head by accepting a job in Grand Central Station’s information booth. Prowling the station’s empty hallways and dusty abandoned rooms on her time off, she one day finds a beautiful watercolor illustration behind a cabinet in the old art school and decides to keep it. Settling into her new life, Virginia and her daughter Ruby find great interest in the history of the train station and both begin to photograph and research the fascinating history and sad future of its architectural glory. Just as things are looking up for Virginia, threatening notes arrive in her mailbox demanding she return the painting adding danger and intrigue to her world. Fiona magically brings Grand Central Station to life for fans of historical fiction. She blends each woman’s lives masterfully as both stories soon captivate the reader with art history, romance, intrigue, scandal, and drama. This author does all with finesse. The characters in both eras are lifelike and I felt both eras of New York were told in an evocative and atmospheric way. From the shining brass and art décor of the times to the flapper style high fashion of the day, as I read this literary jewel I felt I was standing in Grand Central station on the sidelines watching the story unfold and could clearly hear the whistle of the trains pulling in. As brass ages with a coating of patina, and as mirrors fog over in time, both can slowly glimmer and shine again with a little effort and hard work to rub off the grime revealing beauty beneath. This is what Fiona does with The Masterpiece. She creates the lives of two ladies that at first glimpse are a bit worn and faded. But with time, determination, tears, and creative talents, Virginia and Clara beam with radiance! Five stars once again for another bestseller for Fiona. Standing ovation please!

I have mixed feelings about this book. Here’s what I liked: the history of Grand Central Station from its heyday through its revival. The views inside the different styles of art instruction including illustration and abstract impressionism. Here’s what I did not like: Most of the characters. Clara Darden abruptly behaves in a way that was not consistent with how her character had been created. Virginia is not likable. She does gain some sympathy but again, she is not a consistent character. The writing is wooden, and the pacing can be sluggish. The story is light, occasionally diverting, but overall forgettable.

From start to finish , this fabulous story kept me awake! It was a beautiful glimpse into history from several points of view and time. An underlying observation, accurately describing how much more women had to struggle to be recognized in thier work and everyday life,was not the point but an awareness. The artwork described, Grand Central Station in its’ glory, was so well written, I could see it. Characters developed beautifully and finished well. I really enjoyed this novel. I will look for more Fiona Davis Novels.

I enjoyed the story line, the historical essence of this novel, but not thrilled with the writing.. I ended up speed reading through it to get to the end.. I really was very interested in the ending, but tired of the style of writing, I guess one could say.. just not rated a 5 star book by any means..

I am interested in art, history and Grant Central Terminal so I was looking forward to reading this book. On the positive side, it was quick read with a creative plot. On the negative side, the writing was weak - filled with extraneous details, uneven pacing, sophomoric similes and far-fetched plot twists. I am now motivated to read some non-fiction about how Grand Central Terminal was saved and restored. I am very grateful that it was - it is stunning!

Fiona Davis fans, you don’t need me to give you reasons to read her latest novel THE MASTERPIECE but for the rest of you soon-to-become fans, here are a few: It’s yet another historical fiction masterpiece. Pun intended. If you have a fondness for Grand Central Terminal (yes, terminal, not station), you will want to read this book right away. If you live in or adore Manhattan, read, read, read. If you love a good, intriguing story that will capture your heart, will surprise you, has do-gooders and evil nay-sayers, it’s a must. If you admire Jackie O, of course, it’s your book. (If you know her history, this is a slight spoiler alert) If you are an artist, have a thing for striving artists, love art, get to it. Who knew that a building, a hub of the city and crown jewel of architecture, will utterly absorb you. Yet it does as it comes alive on the page. As do Davis’ characters. Her talent lies in melding the past together with present day and she will surprise you with this one. Oh, just wait. It is perfectly, beautifully told and while you won’t be able to wait until you get to the end, you don’t want it to be over. When we think of quintessential masterpieces, such as Sargent’s elegant yet once scandalous Madame X or Picasso’s symbolic Guernica, now think of bold storyteller Davis’ THE MASTERPIECE.

A mystery, a history and a lovely story. I really enjoyed this book I’m always a fan of New York history Thank you

I love novels about old NY, and one centered around Grand Central Station, really lured me in! And, it did not disappoint for one minute. Since I’ve been in GCS, I felt the author’s descriptions placed me back there again and she really had me wondering about whether there really had been an art school on the second floor! If you like history woven with a story that makes it come alive, you’ll love the Masterpiece. I’ve read all of Fiona Davis’s novels - they’ve all been meticulously researched, and I can’t wait to find out what she will write about next!

I’ve had this authors books on my shelf for longer than I can remember. Always an author I wanted to read so when this showed up on my library app to listen to immediately I then downloaded it and glad I did. Now that I’ve read this it’s whet my appetite for more from her so it’s just a case of fitting them into my reading schedule. Based around art. I’m not very “into” that so maybe that’s another reason I delayed in reading it. Maybe. It truly was so easy to read, enjoyable characters and a story I followed well. I’m glad I own her other books. 2 likes

History of the buildings and a story within a story.

The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis is a multi-narrative story set in two time periods: the 1920s and 1970s New York. The two story threads meet in Grand Central Station which is the ideal setting for bustling Art Deco New York meets down and out New York when homelessness was rife and the glamour had definitely worn off. In the 1920s storyline we follow Clara, a budding artist who is ignored by the art world because of her gender. However, the tide changes for Clara and success begins to pursue her much to the chagrin of others. In the 1970s storyline we meet Virginia. She is also struggling because of the confines of her gender. Recently divorced with no discernible skills to her name she struggles to carve out a new life for herself as an independent woman without a man to hide behind and to be protected by. What I really like about Fiona Davis’ novels is that she magically weaves real life historical events into her stories which become a third character. You care about the historical element just as much as you care for the characters and their storylines. Furthermore, it opens the reader’s eyes to a slice of history that they may have never known about otherwise. The Masterpiece is a wonderful story and one of those novels that you read voraciously because you want to know what happens but try to stop yourself from reading because you don’t want it to end. The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis is available now.

I was given this book as a bookclub read. I loved the way the story unfolded and the links from past to present. The characters were beautifully crafted and very engaging. I went straight from this to The Address by the same author - very talented writing and a fabulously woven story. Not remotely predictable or templated - a refreshing read.

good quality copy as described.