This book was a lot of fun to read, and honestly, I had been putting it off because I wasn't attracted to the cover. (I know, I know, don't judge a book by its cover, but it's hard!) A clever and humorous story that really does hold a mirror up to many of the things we do now. The book is over-the-top but in the most perfect way that really keeps you immersed in the story.

4/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and ABRAMS, The Overlook Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me this advanced reader’s copy in return for a fair, frank, and honest review.

I felt that there was not a definite plot with this book, it did not feel like a flowing story just very fractured going back and forwards. Parts of it were witty and parts were unbelievable. I felt that I did not identify in anyway with either couple or felt the characters were not well developed enough for me to invest in them. It felt very “staged” for me. I enjoyed the way it was written though but not the way it ended. It ended too suddenly for me.

This is a story about the young and rich in New York that brought back memories of mythology I haven't read since middle school. Some may find the characters hard to stand, but for me this was a fun escape. The story weaves in Ovid throughout and is very overt with these references. The ending was a bit unsatisfying, but I really enjoyed the ride along the way.

This novel is about two couples whose lives are suddenly turned upside down by the overlapping lives of two of their acquaintances. It's a modern take on the myth of Narcissus. This is a novel that almost makes you think that you're in the real world. It’s always so silly to the point that it almost becomes unbelievable, but then it settles down and becomes so real that it almost makes you believe it. The characters themselves were exactly the type of people you would find on Instagram, and they grew on the right side of the line between believable and stereotypical humans. The writing is both poetic and real. It balances the various elements of language with the human experience. I thought this book was brilliant. Thank you, The overlooked press, for the gifted copy via net galley.

This was a terrific novel full of acute social observation and trenchant wit. It reminded much of The Age of Innocence with love (or some semblance of it) thwarted by social and personal expectations, as well as healthy doses of narcissism.

A. Natasha Joukovksy's debut novel centers on the entangled lives of two wealthy, glamorous, and highly-educated couples - Wes and Diana of New York and Vivien and Dale of Philadelphia. Diana's consulting job brings her in close contact with Dale while Vivien is named a visiting curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Very infidelity, much narcissism. How will these relationships evolve when everyone is acting up??

I want to give Joukovsky big props for delivering the layered nuevo-Greek novel I was hoping for. This story is peppered with witty, tongue-in-cheek references to ancient mythology. There is a payment company called Pegaswipe, for example, and Dale frequents a basement food court known as The Underworld. There are also the requisite references to Achilles heels and Trojan horses, plus a bunch of other stuff that probably went over my ignorant head. Is this book too smart for me? Maybe.

This is for sure one of those books where you are meant to dislike the characters, and dislike them I certainly do, though I appreciate the over-the-top self-awareness we see in Vivien in particular. My biggest criticism is that the passages about Diana and Dale's professional life were dense and kind of boring. .I don't think this book is for everyone, but if you are a Grecophile or have an interest in modern retellings, I think this one is right up your alley.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

I have curated my entire New York City life to avoid these exact people, but I sure as hell loved reading about them in this book. My favorite of 2021 so far – can’t wait to see more from this writer

I enjoyed the humor and style of this novel and found it overall to be entertaining. However, the plotting was a bit lacking and the over the top humor began to wear without a strong narrative thread to support it by the end.

Thank you for the chance to read this book. I keep seeing it everywhere -- mostly on Goodreads. I think that this book is a clever story which is strengthened by the author's stylistic choices. I think the writing is particularly strong and poignant, while at the same time being a bit thick at some points. It was still an enjoyable read that I would suggest to someone who likes creative prose.

This was a fun book -- I thought the writing was witty and I enjoyed the recurring themes of mirrors and metamorphosis. I did feel like the ending was a bit unsatisfying, though. It kind of felt like the author didn't know how to end it. But until the last 10% or so I really enjoyed it.

A well-drawn look at the life of the modern well-off, told through a story of two couples whose lives become increasingly intertwined over the course of a summer. Wes and Diana, on the one hand, and Dale and Vivien, on the other hand are two couples with many connections from their respective prep schools, colleges, and professional connections. During a few months, each member of the couple finds themselves surprisingly engaged with a member of the other -- leading each to reflect on their lives and how it does and does not meet their expectations. Through this story, the author explores issues of privilege, romance, the nature of work, and narcissism.

Recommended!

I would like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-book ARC copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This book was on every list I saw, in every newsletter and on every podcast! I was actually surprised to find that it is a new book - with all the talk, I thought it had been published a few years ago. Based on what everyone was saying, I was pretty excited about this book, and happy to get a chance to read and review this book. When I read that it was a retelling of Greek mythology, I was even more excited, as I love Greek mythology, and retellings in general.

Overall, it was an interesting book and I'm glad I got to read it, but I'm not sure about the writing style. In some areas, it really seemed as though the author was trying too hard, trying to make this book sound like a classic novel, rather than just telling the story. I think I would have enjoyed the overall story much more without the author's use of the thesaurus. Reading the book, it just didn't flow for me. Like maybe the author was simply trying too hard. I would have liked to hear the story in her voice, rather than through the filter of writing classes.

I would rate it a 2.5 - a little more than 'just ok', but not quite 'I liked it'. But I"m leaning more for 'just ok' based on all the hype & talk for my overall rating.

Thank you to the author, Overlook Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a clever, witty and well-written novel of manners. It is also pretentious, pompous and arrogantly aware of being of (and for?) the rich white well-educated elite. On the one hand, I loved it - on the other hand, I thought it was too much of all that. What tipped the balance for me was an almost throwaway comment midway through that completely gave away the ending, and made me pull up short. Nothing much happens, I know how it will end (and what a cliche ending it was) - do I need to finish the book? I did, but overall this was not as satisfying a read as I had hoped. However, I am sure it will find its audience of ardent fans, and I look forward to reading the author's next book.

This novel centers on two beautiful, expensively educated couples and what happens when they fall for each other's partners. Gorgeous Wes Range, whose ownership of an of-the-moment tech company befits his upbringing, is married to Diana, an equally beautiful and high-powered management consultant. Things are stale, they tend to annoy each other more than they delight each other, but there's no question they look good together and share the same values, which is to say, they know the right place to be seen skiing or own a third home. While on an exclusive tour of a new exhibition at the Met, Wes sees Vivien, who attended the same expensive school he did, and parlayed her money and connections into an enviable position as a curator. He had had a crush on her in school, and now she's even more gorgeous than before. Meanwhile, his wife is sent to Philadelphia, where she is partnered with Dale on a high-profile project. Dale is engaged to Vivien, but it doesn't take long before he is smitten with Diana.

It is, of course, perfectly fine to write about rich, beautiful, successful people who have everything. It is, however, a lot more difficult to make the reader care about their tender feelings and inner pain. But the author isn't asking us to empathize, or even get to know her characters. She's mocking them even as she's lovingly describing their every meal, their every shopping trip, their every perfectly insouciant outfit, painstakingly put together to imply carelessness. With the exception of far too many Linked In profiles, emails and text messages, this novel was well-written, but the humor often felt forced. Still, this will be fun for those who like to watch rich people being made fun of as they blithely continue with their lives as wealthy, beautiful, expensively educated people with connections and easy success.

In Portrait of a Mirror, two well educated & equally self involved couples end up in criss/cross relationships by total chance. The author, Natasha Joukovsky, brilliantly sets up the retelling of the myth of Narcissis through these intriguing & very self serving individuals. Diane & Wes are a glamorous married couple who seem to be constantly at odds despite all their seeming professional successes. Vivian & Dale are about to be married but each is clueless about the deception in the other's heart. Circumstances bring one member of each couple together with the opposite partner with mirror imagery beautifully setting up the plot.

The author has created a linguistic masterpiece with language that is warp speed & with rapier sharp observations. The four main characters showcase so-called "modern romance" including their individual brilliance, wit & a killer instinct to go for exactly what they think they want in a partner, whether that person is technically available to them or not. All four are overwhelmed by desire for their opposite partner & watching them "go for it" is an exciting read. A standout character is Diana, who like the goddess for whom she is named, is superbly gifted in the hunt of her intended, even though he is another woman's husband.

Joukovsky reimagines the Narcissis myth through four well drawn & relatable characters. It was especially pleasurable to experience the repartee between Diana & Dale in the context of the complex Narcissis myth. The author's use of art history & mythology certainly displayed her careful & keen understanding of both, and made this book especially pleasing to read for those of us who enjoy those subjects. Reading this novel sent me directly to Wikipedia for more information, always a plus. The Caravaggio painting on the book cover was a glorious choice!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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I absolutely loved this book. Sharp, artfully rendered, and incredibly clever with perfect pacing. I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of The Portrait of a Mirror.

Please see my full review for all of my thoughts!

This book was something entirely different to what I would usually read, but I really enjoyed this debut novel from A. Natasha Joukovsky. At first I thought this book would be centred too much around mythology and art - which is something I know very little about - but the author explores the issues surrounding modern romance really well. I did struggle to understand the parts when it did talk about art, but I don't think I missed too much of the story because of this.

I didn't find the characters entirely likeable, but I don't think we are meant to? They are privileged and self-centred, but I did find them relatable at some points - taking selfies at museums, getting the right post for Instagram, messaging work colleagues on IM when you are sitting in the room just next to them...

At points I felt the writing a bit pretentious, which I don't think was needed. There was a bit of an overuse of certain words, trying to sound more sophisticated with each new sentence. But perhaps this was done in-line with the pretentious characters in which case, I think it was well done.

I will recommend this to my audience as a book akin to a modern take on a classic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Abrams Books for the eARC! I will be posting on my Instagram (@bookswithtasha_) this week too.

Reading books about the powerful and well-heeled can be quite tiresome. The authors invariably want to show how monstrous the rich are, show the limits of hedonism, or, god forbid, make some belabored point about class in America that leaves the story dry and pockmarked.

This book, however, succeeds where so many others have failed. The main characters are flawed, yes, creatures of their ambitious environments. But, more importantly they are complex, smart, greedy, conniving, lustful, cynical, and calculating. We crave love as a competition—just check out the last 100 reality shows produced—but this smuggles that craving into a novel, set among the most ruthless class in America. That is, young, dumb, and full of come, but also with extravagant money and taste.

The writing is fantastic, each phrase and characterization sharpened to a dazzling point. No human quirk or behavior is safe from Joukovsky. Her ability to break down the modern dating habits and power moves we all employ is breathtaking, a sharp jab to the diaphragm. I tired of the laborious descriptions of every outfit that showed up, but I never doubted the accuracy. It’s Gatsby, it’s American Psycho, it’s all those HBO shows that fall apart after the second season. But it’s so much more too.

The structure of this novel did leave me a little wanting. Joukovsky tends to serve us long blocks of paragraphs, investigating motives and power dynamics, as if daring the reader to skim ahead to the next section. We alternate these thorough dissections of character motivations with dialogue or scene, a welcome change, but not enough to fully offset the slow pacing in parts.

The last quarter of the book, however, is worth the wait, a delectable denouement of comeuppance. Listen to full reviews

*3.5 stars

The Portrait of a Mirror is, in its best moments, a satirical millennial rom-com with all the trappings of a Shakespearean comedy. The book is a re-imagining of the Greek myth of Narcissus, the boy who fell in love with his own reflection and subsequently perished because he couldn't bear to look away. Fittingly, the main characters are all extraordinarily wrapped up in their own narcissism (a commentary on a certain type of millennial: white, heterosexual, upper-class city dwellers).

Though Joukovsky's prose is self-consciously pretentious, it occasionally comes across as overwrought and even tedious as characters repeatedly soliloquize over their internal agonies. The narration of the book was, additionally, a little discordant: jumping from one character to another, then suddenly to an omniscient narrator, then to various pieces of media (email conversations, physical mail, and Instagram comments, for a few examples).

The ending of the book was predictable, which, within the genre, is not a deal-breaker. However, it did seem to drag on for a few more chapters than was entirely necessary. The overall effect of the book was, in my opinion, a little hectic and overambitious. Nonetheless, enough of it was enjoyable to finish reading it, and I will likely be mulling over the apt application of Greek mythology to New York's elite for the next few days.

What a clever and well developed character study witty of two privileged East Coast couples whose lives overlap in dramatic, adulterous ways. This novel turns a classic literary fiction scenario into a funny, smart, lyrical romp. These are the kind of people you see everyday on Social Media platforms and the way they're developed throughout the novel was both fun and believable, At times I thought ‘no one actually talks like that’ before reminding myself of people in the real world who do. The novel shines a light on those stereotypes, and perhaps the way in which we shape ourselves so much in the image of others that we forget who we are. Overall, though the writing itself is the star of this novel. Poetic in places, the choice of words themselves shedding light on the characters in unique ways. I typically don't find any books funny, but this had actual laugh-out-loud funny moments! I also found the setting to be brilliantly descriptive in a way that added to the narrative and not just the page count.

Overall, I thought it was brilliant and I can't wait to read more from the author! Thanks so much for the ARC!