Cover Image: The Masterpiece

The Masterpiece

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Member Reviews

Ms. Davis’s novels never fail to teach me something. Like who knew (ok someone did) there was an art school in Grand Central in NY during the 1920s. Which introduces us to Clara and Levon who are teachers at the famed school. Levon is more well known and Clara teaches illustrations. She’s lowly on the teaching pole but she’s quite talented.

Things turnaround for both of them as Clara gets contract work with Vogue for her illustrations. She also finds love with a handsome poet, Oliver who supports her in every way.

We are also introduced to Virginia in the 70s who is a divorcee who has to look for work and she finds it in the information book in Grand Central.

I loved how the storylines converged because I really wasn’t expecting it at all. Clara was a confident woman in her day and believed in her artistic abilities.

If you love historical fiction you’ll love The Masterpiece.

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4 stars!

After loving Fiona Davis’ previous novel, The Address, I was thrilled to get my hands on The Masterpiece. This book was told in two POV‘s - Clara and Virginia, 50 years apart. I loved the Grand Central Station setting and learning about its history, especially the Grand Central School of Art in the late 1920’s and early ‘30’s.

Ms. Davis really does a great job in her historical storytelling. I learn a lot from reading her books. In fact, she is one of the very few authors who turned me on to historical fiction - a genre that I was never a big fan of. Thanks to her, I find myself exploring more books from this genre and really liking them! I look forward to seeing what’s next from her!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It paints a great picture of the glamour, decay, and promise of Grand Central. The author masterly ties the story lines together. I loved learning more about the history and I am already planning my trip to New York!!

I was given an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own! :-)

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Fiona Davis is a master at intricately weaving characters and setting together to create unforgettable stories. In The Masterpiece she deftly weaves back and forth between the 1920's and the 1970's creating a portrait of the many ways in which woman must fight for their place in order to be fully seen in the world. art teacher Clara Darden and divorcee Virginia Clay seem to have very little in common, including living fifty years apart. But when Virginia is forced to take a menial job, she stumbles across a mysterious painting and suddenly, her life is connected with Clara's in ways she could never have imagined. As Virginia seeks to solve the mystery of the painting and the artist, Clara's story is revealed stroke by stroke, and Virginia, herself, is recreated into something more real and lovely than before. Bit by bit these two women are revealed to be more than previously realized, and overarching it all is Grand Central Terminal. Although fallen into neglect, it too will be revealed as more lovely and vital than previously recognized.
Davis's book is a beautifully rendered exploration of what it means to find yourself after years of being unseen. It's about courage and tenacity and the power of beauty and creativity. Filled with unforgettable and vibrant characters, this story is completely captivating.

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Author Fiona Davis has created a niche writing rich novels with complicated  characters, enmesh in multi-layered plots set in iconic New York City buildings. THE DOLLHOUSE is set in the Barbizon Hotel, and focuses on the lives of two women between 1950s and today. THE ADDRESS takes place in the iconic Dakota. Her new novel, THE MASTERPIECE (Dutton) turns the spotlight on Grand Central Terminal.

For the nearly nine million people who live in New York City, Grand Central Terminal is a crown jewel, a masterpiece of design. But for Clara Darden and Virginia Clay, it represents something quite different.

For Clara, the terminal is the stepping stone to her future, which she is certain will shine as the brightly as the constellations on the main concourse ceiling. It is 1928, and twenty-five-year-old Clara is teaching at the lauded Grand Central School of Art. A talented illustrator, she has dreams of creating cover art for Vogue, but not even the prestige of the school can override the public's disdain for a "woman artist." Brash, fiery, confident, and single-minded--even while juggling the affections of two men, a wealthy would-be poet and a brilliant experimental painter--Clara is determined to achieve every creative success.

Nearly fifty years later, in 1974, the terminal has declined almost as sharply as Virginia Clay's life. Full of grime and danger, from the smoke-blackened ceiling to the pickpockets and drug dealers who roam the floor, Grand Central is at the center of a fierce lawsuit: Will the once-grand building a landmark be preserved, or demolished? For Virginia, it is simply her last resort. Recently divorced, she has just accepted a job in the information booth in order to support herself and her college-age daughter, Ruby. But when Virginia stumbles upon an abandoned art school within the terminal and discovers a striking watercolor hidden under the dust, her eyes are opened to the elegance beneath the decay.

Lots of twists and turns, in addition to strong female characters and an added art class. THE MASTERPIECE is simply masterful.

*****

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Divine. Fiona Davis is the master of bridging the past and more recent past, and The Masterpiece is no exception.
Focused on the history of Grand Central, The Masterpiece flashes between two women - the art teacher and budding illustrator Clara Darden, and divorcee Virginia Clay who finds herself finding herself working in a dilapidated Grand Central Terminal. The book goes back and forth between Clara's career and Virginia's discovery of Clara's art school, and subsequently Clara itself.
The writing is perfectly balanced between flowery (in the best way) details and swift pacing of both women's stories. Each character is slowly unraveled over the course of the book to reveal their full nature, and the book has the classic Davis twist that will leave you mind spinning, your heart full, and with the pure satisfaction of having read an excellent book.

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The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis is about two women, fifty years apart, whose parallel stories suddenly intersect at New York City's historic Grand Central. It's clearly well researched regarding what was happening at the train station in the late 1920s and early 1970s, on the verge of the Great Depression, and later, at risk of being demolished.
I am a character-driven reader and this book's characters did not grab me. I sympathized with them as they both had struggles they had to overcome, but even with those struggles I failed to connect and care for them. Because I never connected to the characters, a fairly predictable plot, and many convenient coincidences this book just didn't work for me. It had interesting elements, namely Grand Central Station, so I can see why people have enjoyed this book.

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Once again, Fiona Davis takes a time period and melds a wonderful story. While a bit long, I grew attached to the characters and their world.

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Cover Review
As with her other books, Davis has another winner in the cover department. All of her covers have the same vibe and are immediately attractive to the eye. The coloring of this one, with the golden background and lovely pop of blue just make this an outstanding cover for me.

Book Review
As I’ve mentioned a few times before, I am in love with Fiona Davis. She is one of the Must Buy authors for me. She is able to spin a tale so glorious that you never want it to end. I tend to leave her books, missing the characters as they have become my new best friends.

The Masterpiece does not disappoint. Written in similar fashion to The Dollhouse and The Address, this wonderful historical fiction piece is told in two perspectives. We have Clara — an illustrator in the 1920s trying to catch a break in the art world — to weave the backdrop for Virginia in the 1970s, recently divorced and trying to find her new place in the world. Both women are equally interesting, with their plots both being equally fascinating to read. However, Clara was someone who I just adored. This entire book could have been about Clara’s life and I would have been just as happy. However, Virginia’s spunk and tenacity is something that cannot be overlooked.

I loved the small mystery part of this story. I love how Davis is able to give you hints to what’s to come in Virginia’s story when you’re reading about Clara, all while discovering more about Clara’s story when Virginia is center stage.

The characters, of course, are just wonderful, as is the plot. There is never a slow part in this story. Davis breaks up the sections and switches perspectives so beautifully, just like the pro she is. And the writing! I cannot get enough of her.

I give this book a very happy 4 stars. Beautiful cover, story and characters. This is definitely a story I can see myself jumping into again.

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The Masterpiece is the second Fiona Davis book I’ve read. After inhaling The Address, I have waited patiently for her next title. And the wait was worth it. The latest book is again a nearly seamless blending of past and present. This time the story revolves around Grand Central Station in New York City. Introducing the reader to Grand Central in the late 1920’s and then in 1974, Davis reveals the story of two women, from different eras, who both learn to adapt to their circumstances and, eventually, develop an inner strength they didn’t realize they had.

The story weaves itself around fictional characters and historical events. This is done so well that the reader will often stop and wonder if something or someone is real or simply the invention of the author’s imagination. More than once I found myself looking up a name or event to see if it was something that had actually happened.

The characters are well-drawn and the descriptions of NYC landmarks, fashion and social customs is amazing. It is obvious that Ms Davis does a lot of research for her books, thus assuring a high level of historical accuracy. I can only imagine how much fun it was to investigate the history of New York City and its Grand Central Station. (and how much fun it would be to act as her research assistant!)

Thank you, Ms Davis, for providing hours of reading pleasure. I was entertained and educated, as well as reminded how some of our great historical treasures have been threatened with extinction. All in all, The Masterpiece was an excellent read.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

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I received an advanced reading copy of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In my eyes, Fiona Davis has become the breakout leader in the dual timeline narrative. In this latest publication, Davis weaves an intricate web. Passion, love, determination, strength, and self- awareness are combined with a well written history of the efforts to save Grand Central Station in NY. The characters are utterly irresistible as they grapple with the cards that life has dealt them. The book was so captivating that I could scarcely put it down! I was so utterly engrossed in the story that I finished the book in one day!

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What a glorious way to spend a day or two, lost in the pages of this book and in Grand Central Station both older and even older. I loved the tale this book told. Both women were such strong characters who I came to care for. The setting was fabulous, I felt I was right there along with the characters and of course Grand Central was a character all it’s own.
I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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What a beautiful novel, The Masterpiece is. I couldn't put it down. Once Again, Fiona Davis has created a book worthy of the New York Times top ten books.

At first, I wasn't in love with Virginia Clay, I found her struggle a little lacking, a typical divorcee who doesn't have the skills to cope with her singleness, then we got deeper into her story and her desire to get to know the things of the past which in turn made her a stronger woman. Virginia's story was definitely not as enduring as I found Clara Darden's story. Clara became my hero, she became the one to cheer on and clap hands for when she finally accomplished what she started out to do with Virginia's hinderance and then help. Thank heavens for women like Clara who forged ahead in the fight for noticeability when it came to being considered a great artist. I am so thankful for all women who fought for that right to be included as rivals to men in the arts.

I admire Fiona Davis for writing such a timely matter. This book was written in extraordinarily lyrical words. Words that helped to see, and smell the grand building of Grand Central Station (Terminal). I am so happy that that beautiful building was saved, I am glad that I have been able to arrive and depart in it's terminals and eat lunch in its eateries and grab a few black and white cookies in it's bakeries. I am extremely glad that Ms. Davis wrote about the Grand Central Art School during it's heyday. It makes this New Yorker happy to have had the privilege of reading this book ahead of publication. Ms. Davis' descriptive words led me to want to be one of Clara's Bohemian friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. :)
Thank you Net Galley, and especially Dutton, and Penguin for the chance in lieu of my honest opinion.

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This book could not keep me interested. I got lost with the characters and the storytime was not consistent. I enjoyed the author's previous books but this one is a bummer.

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I love Fiona's books!! I had been looking forward to reading this book since her last one and it did not disappoint. Her writing is flawless. She does New York City history like no one else!! I loved learning about Grand Central Station as well as becoming engrossed her storytelling!!

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"The Masterpiece", a novel by Fiona Davis was the first book that I've read from this author.  This historical novel is set in both 1928 and 1974 and set in Grand Central Terminal in New York City.  If you've never been there, Grand Central is a stunning piece of architecture.

Back in 1928, there is an art school, Grand Central School of Art, that is well-regarded amongst artists.  We are introduced to Clara, an extremely talented illustrator, who is the only woman teaching at the school.

In 1974, we are introduced to newly divorced and single mother, Virginia, who is working in the terminal information booth when she discovers the art school after ducking into a storage room for a quickie with her boss.  While Virginia learns to become her own woman, she works to bring recognition to the unknown artist and to save a historical building.

I really enjoyed "The Masterpiece" and look forward to reading more works by Fiona Davis.

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This was a fun read. This story definitely reminded me of The Muse, which I loved. I loved the feminist characters and seeing them grow in a time period when so much oppression occurred. Definitely recommend.

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Clara Darden is an aspiring artist in the early years of the 20th century. Virginia Clay is a recent divorcee, survivor of a serious illness, and is recently back in the workforce in the mid 1970s. The link that ties these two together is Grand Central, the massive and stunningly elegant train station in the heart of Manhattan.

Like many historical fiction titles today, <i>The Masterpiece</i> is told through two storylines spanning decades, with Grand Central serving as the obvious common trait. However, as Clara and Virginia's stories move along, you find that there are many more connections between these two women, the struggles they had to endure, and the one thing that will bring them together.

Although each woman's story is powerful and intriguing on its own, it is the reverence for Grand Central that shines through this book, serving almost as another silent character rather than simply just a setting. It's history and its legacy shine through on the pages.

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Over the last few years Fiona Davis has added several books to my TBR but this was the first one I've picked up. It definitely won't be the last. Dual timelines are tricky at times. Don't make them distinct enough and they're confusing. If one plot is more intense than the other than one feels like a waste of time. This was a good balance which made for an enjoyable read. The time periods picked were smart. 1920s New York and 1970s New York might as well be on different planets and I liked that both women were facing very timely issues that felt appropriate for the time periods they existed in.

First, we had Clara in the 1920s desperately trying to make it as an illustrator and completely on her own in the city. Clara is ambitious and opinionated and scared. She gets so frustrated by the injustices and just the futility of trying to get someone to listen to her at times and I liked that she didn't always have the words to express her frustration which made her a character I could really relate too. She wasn't always the most likable and at times I felt like her decisions were questionable but I enjoyed her story and was dying to find out just what had happened.

50 years later in a much more dangerous and run down Grand Central we have Virginia. I really sympathized with Virginia who has found herself, after surviving breast cancer, newly and unexpectedly divorced. She's trying to start over again and find her footing as herself even though she was a bit reluctant to do so. My grandmother found herself divorced about this time period so I think that made this storyline a little more poignant for me. As well, I loved a good discovery based plot and I was fascinated by Virginia's discovery of the illustrations and her fascination with them had me heavily invested.

I found this to be a quick read. The characters weren't the most likable but I did find them to be sympathetic and interesting. I'm so glad I took the time to finally read Fiona Davis and I'm already looking forward to reading more from her.

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Recent historical novels by Fiona Davis (The Dollhouse, The Address) have been very popular and feature New York City locations (Barbizon Hotel and The Dakota). I requested an advance reader copy of her newest, THE MASTERPIECE, and found it entertaining and informative. In this novel Davis focuses on the beautiful architecture of Grand Central Terminal (or Grand Central Station as it is often incorrectly, though more affectionately, called) and the art movements of the 1920s through two intertwining stories. One is set in the 1970s (when the station's demolition was being adjudicated) with a recent divorcee, Virginia, obtaining an entry level job with the railroad and discovering a hidden painting. That painting was created roughly 50 years earlier and relates to the more compelling second story about fictional Clara Darden, an aspiring illustrator and instructor at Grand Central School of Art (which did actually exist). There's a bit of mystery here and some wonderful historical detail, especially for readers who know and love New York City. THE MASTERPIECE received a starred review from Library Journal and was a LibraryReads selection for August 2018.

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