Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy...and I wish I had better news...I loved the concept of this book and the story line and the location...but at no point did I ever like the characters...like ANY of them. Our main character is so hung up on the married man she had been cheating on her husband with that I literally could not stand her by the end of the book...the next main character? Nope, I would not want to spend any time with her either...I mean, I am laughing sitting here trying to come up with something nice to say about any of them and I just can't do it. The only parts of this book that I actually liked were the travel descriptions and the art descriptions...

Zoe Disigny's "The Art of Traveling Strangers" invites readers to embark on a journey through 1980s Europe with art historian Claire Markham. Faced with personal losses, Claire becomes an art guide for the enigmatic Viv Chancey, leading them through the art-filled cities of Milan, Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Siena, Rome, and Paris. The novel explores themes of grief, reimagining one's life, and the transformative power of art.

The strengths of the book lie in its vivid descriptions of European cities and the art that graces them. Disigny's portrayal of the art world and its history adds depth to the narrative, making it an engaging read for art lovers and travelers alike. The 1980s setting provides a nostalgic backdrop, and the author successfully captures the essence of each city visited.

The protagonist, Claire Markham, is a character with depth, grappling with personal losses and seeking solace through her connection to art. The dynamic between Claire and Viv Chancey introduces an element of mystery, keeping the reader intrigued about Viv's true identity and intentions.

However, the pacing of the novel may feel uneven at times, with a slower buildup in the initial chapters. The blending of reality and illusion, a central theme in the story, may be challenging for some readers to fully grasp, and the transitions between Claire's emotional struggles and the art-focused narrative may be disorienting.

The plot introduces elements of magical realism, adding a layer of whimsy to the story. While this enhances the novel's unique quality, it may not resonate with readers who prefer a more straightforward narrative. The resolution, while addressing Claire's personal growth, may leave some loose ends in terms of Viv's character and the overarching theme of reality as illusion.

In conclusion, "The Art of Traveling Strangers" is a three-star novel that offers a mix of art, travel, and self-discovery. Zoe Disigny's immersive descriptions and exploration of art history create a vibrant backdrop for the narrative. If you appreciate a blend of magical realism, art appreciation, and a protagonist's journey of healing, this book provides a unique and imaginative experience.

Wasn’t my favorite book but it was very interesting and the plot was definitely fun and different from what I normally read.

Claire's life seems to be in chaos. Her marriage is falling apart. She receives an opportunity to become an art tour guide through Italy which she takes and this kicks off the story. To be honest, this book fell short of my expectations due to my struggle to connect with the main characters. I feel like I started reading this book, while not being the right target audience for it and struggled to get through it.

I loved the blurb of this book, as it included many things that I love, travelling, Italy, culture, fashion and art…Yet, this book was a real disappointment. The only good thing about this book was that it was a quick read and took me only a few days to consume.

The story follows Claire who is in the middle of divorce and is also lost, since her summer job to be an art guide is cancelled. However, when a rich lady Viv approaches Claire and asks her to be Viv’s art guide across Italy. Once abroad Claire tries to concentrate only on educating Viv, however, all the art makes Claire slowly reimagine and look differently at her life, whilst also getting to know Viv and realising that both aren’t so different after all.

Firstly, I didn’t like Claire. She was so insufferable and naïve throughout this book. Also, she didn’t grow much throughout the book, but suddenly in the last 20 pages went through an epiphany on how to solve all her life problems. It just wasn’t really believable. Secondly, we learn everything about Claire during the first five chapters of this book in a very boring and dry manner, which is then followed by her exploring art and comparing it with her own life…Thirdly, the ending is so rushed and anticlimactic, making me question the purpose of this book.

I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters, as they were so two-dimensional with no growth until the last 20 pages. I at least had high hopes for the art and fashion descriptions as Claire and Viv are travelling through Italy. Yet, I was wrong there too. All of the descriptions were so dry and lecture-like that I wanted just to skip it all.

Overall: A book that was supposed to be about travelling, art, fashion, Italy, as well as relationships and their complexities. However, it didn’t do any complex dive into relationships or main characters. It just compared those with art on a very surface level. It was also so hard to understand the purpose of this book as it seemed like it wanted to be all but just fell flat. One of the most disappointing books I have read in a while, although I had so much hope.

Title: A Captivating Journey: The Art of Traveling Strangers by Zoe Disigny

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

The Art of Traveling Strangers by Zoe Disigny is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that takes readers on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and human connection. With its compelling characters, richly detailed settings, and introspective narrative, this book offers a unique exploration of the transformative power of travel.

The story revolves around Emma, a young woman who embarks on a solo trip across Europe in search of purpose and meaning. Along her journey, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own stories and struggles. Through these chance encounters and unlikely friendships, Emma learns valuable lessons about life, love, and the beauty of embracing the unknown.

Disigny's writing style is evocative and lyrical, beautifully capturing the essence of each location Emma visits. From bustling city streets to serene countryside landscapes, the author's vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of each place, allowing them to experience the sights, sounds, and emotions alongside the protagonist. The meticulous attention to detail creates an immersive reading experience that adds depth and authenticity to the story.

The strength of The Art of Traveling Strangers lies in its well-drawn characters. Emma is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, whose personal growth and introspection resonate with readers on a profound level. The supporting characters are equally compelling, each adding their own unique perspectives and wisdom to Emma's journey. The author skillfully explores the complexities of human relationships and the unexpected connections that can form between strangers.

While the novel successfully captures the essence of travel and self-discovery, some readers may find the pacing to be leisurely at times. The introspective nature of the narrative may require patience as it delves into the characters' inner thoughts and emotions. However, those who appreciate a more introspective and character-driven story will find themselves engrossed in the introspective musings and the gradual unraveling of Emma's personal transformation.

The Art of Traveling Strangers offers a refreshing take on the travel genre, intertwining themes of self-discovery, human connection, and the transformative power of embracing new experiences. Zoe Disigny's eloquent prose and vivid storytelling make this book a compelling read. If you're seeking a poignant and introspective tale that will ignite your wanderlust and touch your heart, The Art of Traveling Strangers is a journey worth embarking on.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of The Art of Traveling Strangers from the author for an honest review.

I had really high expectations with this book because i love travelling and art. The blurb was really promising, and while i had a fun time, i still think it didn't live up to the expectations.
The story follows Claire, an art professor who just got a divorce after discovering her husband was cheating on her. Being a single mother is a struggle, so she decides to take up a new job in europe for the summer to be able to save some money. The setting was good, as i've mentioned before i love travelling and reading books about it always provides a good escapism moment.
But that's all i got from this book. The relationship between Viv and Claire was cute, they had their moments, but it was enjoyable. The rest of the book felt a little bit flat and dull for my taste.
I would recommend this book if you are looking for a quick, fun story.

Well written but I really didn't enjoy it. The protagonist just rubbed me wrong and I couldn't feel myself connecting to her in any way. I can imagine other will enjoy as the writing is good and the development fine. Just not for me.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book! This one was a good light read, though not my favourite or most memorable read of the year, I still greatly enjoyed it! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out on Disigny's work in the future.

Loving both travel and art, I chose this book because it focuses on a down-on-her-luck art historian (Claire) who agrees to guide a quirky woman (Viv) through famous museums in Italy. She doesn't know much about Viv, and is less sure about this adventure as she gets to know her better. Their journey is not just a physical one, but an emotional one for both of them. The story tells a lot about art, but also a lot about human nature and interactions between people. The book has a lot of depth to it and I found it to be much more than I expected! I'd highly recommend it!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Amplify Pub Group/Subplot Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a different type of book for me. I really really did not like the characters at first! So it was really hard to get into the book hating the characters. It is a rich woman's trip and she brought Claire to teach and explain the art to her. Viv really just wanted to shop. I really just wanted to throw the book. But slowly they grew on me. Personal growth. 3 stars It would be 4 but I just couldn't get into the characters.

This book wouldn't have usually been my cup of tea. However I surprised myself by enjoying it thoroughly. Thank you to net galley and the publishers for the ARC.

Unusual book. Different style to my usual. Liked the overall story and characters, but I don’t love books that end with no conclusion, so,it fell a bit flat at the end.

I enjoyed the originality and caustic wit of this book. A singular talent who I will be looking out for in the future.

It took me a while to write this review, because I don't like writing negative reviews. Too bad this novel proved to be such a disappointment.

I really thought that I would enjoy this book, because I love traveling and art. It is fun to read about artists, pieces of art and faraway destinations, so I was hoping for a fun ride. Unfortunately, the main character and her traveling companion were insufferable. I didn't like them at all. They were dull and shallow. The beginning is especially uninteresting, when we learn about the main character's marriage situation. I couldn't care less. The information about the pieces of art were given in the most unimaginative way possible as a dry lecture sprinkled with annoying comments and annoying reactions to these comments. I suffered through the whole book waiting for the ending, that (surprise!) wasn't interesting either.

I received "The Art of Traveling Strangers" from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.

I loved so much about this book! The vivid descriptions and all the art!!i loved the idea of the premise and the story itself. However I felt a little bored throughout:Especially with Claire’s flashbacks. It was fine, I just wanted more!!

This evocative novel is a fun to read story that you would make a perfect summer read. You will explore the events as two totally different strangers travel together.

Love this book a real feelgood book and a perfect holiday read. Characters developed well and interesting lessons learnt by both of them. Highly recommended.

I went into this blind and from the title, I thought this was going to be about meeting people while travelling but I was pretty far off. I feel that readers who have an appreciation for art would enjoy this story more than I did.

This story follows Claire, an art history professor, who was in an unhappy marriage, started seeking therapy to finally talk about how she really felt. What she didn’t anticipate was starting an affair with her therapist. Her marriage eventually fell apart but so did her work life. Feeling worried for her finance and feeling desperate to escape her shattered reality, she took up an offer to be an art guide in Europe for one of her students, Viv. They both have quite contrasting personalities and during the trip, Claire tries hard to get to Viv better. They soon grew closer through their love for art, history and surprisingly fashion.

I can tell that the author is really passionate about art and given the fact that she is an art history professor herself, her passion really came through in her writing. Personally, I am not an avid art fan but I do love learning about the history behind each piece of art work. I also love the parts about big fashion brands and the history behind their fashion pieces.

I didn’t like reading much about Claire’s personal life. I felt she should have voiced out her opinions on how she really felt about her husband and divorced him due to their personal differences instead of starting an affair with her therapist. I loved Viv’s flamboyant personality as it helps Claire come out of her shell and see things from a different perspective. Although Viv also had some personal issues of her own, they help each other heal in their own way.

Thank you Netgalley and Amplify Publishing for the arc.

This is a perfect pandemic book. When we cannot travel, The Art of Traveling Strangers provides a thin story where we can concentrate on the wonderful descriptions of beautiful cities and amazing museums and history. Claire and Viv have come together in a slightly bizarre way, and are traveling together. I felt there was too much of Claire's past, the therapist, etc., and I skimmed through that. Viv the student is bright but somewhat naive. For the most part, I enjoyed reading the descriptions of Europe, but the story itself did not hold much for me. Thank you to the author, the editor and Net Galley for a free ebook in exchange for my honest review.