A sharp, biting family drama centered on a narcissistic artist and the family trapped around him. Darkly funny and painfully real. A beautifully messy novel.

I started this book, but unfortunately I just could not finish it. I was not able to connect with any of the characters or the story.

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this advance reading copy.

Charlotte Mendelson's The Exhibitionist is a "furiously funny" novel (Sunday Express, UK) about a marriage between two artists, Lucia and Ray, which begins to unravel over the course of one weekend.

Meet the Hanrahan family, gathering for a momentous weekend as famous artist and notorious egoist Ray Hanrahan prepares for a new exhibition of his art–the first in many decades–and one he is sure will burnish his reputation for good. His three children will be there: eldest daughter Leah, always her father’s biggest champion; son Patrick, who has finally decided to strike out on his own; and daughter Jess, the youngest, who has her own momentous decision to make. And what of Lucia, Ray’s steadfast and selfless wife? She is an artist, too, but has always had to put her roles as wife and mother first. What will happen if she decides to change? For Lucia is hiding secrets of her own, and as the weekend unfolds and the exhibition approaches, she must finally make a choice about which desires to follow.

The Exhibitionist is the latest, extraordinary novel from Charlotte Mendelson, a dazzling exploration of art, sacrifice, toxic family politics, queer desire, and personal freedom.

This novel is a hilarious book of family, love, and finding your own happiness!!!!!!! Great book overall.

Oh, how I wanted to love this book! I think Charlotte Mendelson is extraordinarily talented, and the themes of this book (art, sacrifice, toxic family politics, queer desire, and personal freedom) speak to me. Still, it missed the mark for me as a reader, but I am sure it will find many fans.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

I have attempted and did not finish this book several times. It did not pull me in and the characters were not relatable for me.

Family Drama Around Artist’s Comeback

The Exhibitionist centers around the Hanrahan family, particularly focusing on Ray Hanrahan, a once-celebrated artist now desperately seeking a comeback. The plot unfolds over a weekend as Ray prepares for a new art exhibition, his first in many years, which he hopes will reestablish his reputation. This event brings the entire family together, revealing long-buried tensions and conflicts. The narrative explores the dynamics between Ray, his wife Lucia, an artist in her own right who has long suppressed her own ambitions, and their children, each struggling under the weight of their father’s domineering presence.

The Exhibitionist is a compelling read for those interested in family dramas and character-driven narratives. Its strengths lie in its vivid characterizations and Mendelson's biting prose. The novel's exploration of artistic ambition and familial sacrifice offers a thought-provoking, albeit sometimes uncomfortable, reading experience. While the ending may leave some desiring more closure, the journey Mendelson takes us on is both entertaining and insightful.

Thank you to Charlotte Mendelson and her team. This book was amazing. This book was not what I thought it was from the cover and title alone! Would read again!

The Exhibitionist* is a rich, character-driven exploration of family dynamics, ambition, and the sacrifices made for art and love. The Hanrahan family’s weekend reunion unfolds with palpable tension and emotional depth, masterfully capturing the complexities of their relationships.

Ray Hanrahan's larger-than-life personality and ego create a compelling backdrop for the unfolding drama. His children’s varied reactions to his domineering presence highlight their individual struggles and growth. Leah’s loyalty, Patrick’s quest for independence, and Jess’s personal dilemma add layers to the family’s intricate dynamic.

Lucia's character stands out as she grapples with her own artistic identity and the long-held secrets that threaten to disrupt the fragile balance of her family. Her journey of self-discovery and empowerment is both poignant and inspiring.

The narrative’s intricate weaving of personal conflicts, artistic ambition, and family loyalty makes *The Exhibitionist* a captivating read. The story's emotional resonance and the vivid portrayal of each character's inner world will stay with you long after the final page.

An intimate and powerful portrayal of family, art, and the choices that shape our lives.

I took the DNF on this one, I couldn't get into it and it didn't feel like it was meant for me. I liked the writing style though!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

This book, despite my elevated high hopes (due to marketing and reviews) this one wasn't for me. I deal with enough Machiaivellean, sarcastically egotistical and cruel people in real life.

When I picture a "humourous book" this one will NOT spring to my mind.

Not my cuppa, if you enjoy family drama, cruelty and it's societal and personal impacts, maybe it will be up your alley, seems to have gotten a lot of awards...

A portrait of a truly dysfunctional family, starting with the patriach Ray Hanrahan, a visual artist past his prime and a total narcissist who, nevertheless, has bullied and manipulated his entire family (wife, children, ex-wife) into cowering beneath his thumb. The action takes place over a single weekend and is based in England but it's story could be replicated anywhere when a single individual, a narcissist to the nth degree, puts his fame and happiness above all else. Not someone I would pick to form the spine of the book and not someone I enjoyed reading about. This one wasn't for me.

Cute book with a well done storyline and likeable characters. It was easy to read and I really enjoyed the whole book.

Many poor reviews, just noticed that this was originally published in 2022. I don’t know if revisions were made but it clearly hasn’t made much difference. These characters are so un-relatable that I often found myself cringing when they spoke. It seems no one has a “vertebrae” as Lucia would call it. I found it to be an outrageous story told by unreliable characters with a ridiculous, unresolved ending.

I tried to read this but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't care for the characters from the start. I got about 30% into it and finally decided to put it down. It was moving really slow and I couldn't really see the point she was trying to make. I will have to take a DNF on this one.

There are all kinds of books and readers. After seeing the awards and description, I thought I would love it but alas, I did not. Very sarcastic which I like, but almost too sarcastic. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

The Exhibitionist" by Charlotte Mendelson is a rollercoaster ride through the tangled web of family drama and dysfunction. Set against the backdrop of a long weekend gathering to celebrate patriarch Ray's art exhibit, the story delves deep into the toxic dynamics of the Hanrahan family.

From the outset, it's clear that this is not a family gathering filled with warmth and love. Instead, the characters are rife with flaws and dysfunction, making them incredibly unlikable and unsympathetic. Ray, in particular, emerges as a thoroughly despicable figure whose abusive behavior has left a lasting impact on his family members. As the weekend unfolds, tensions simmer and old wounds are reopened, revealing the deep-seated resentments and conflicts that have plagued the family for years.

Despite the challenging nature of the characters, Mendelson's skillful storytelling keeps the reader engaged. The narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency, drawing readers into the turbulent world of the Hanrahans and their tumultuous relationships. Alongside the family drama, the novel offers vivid descriptions of London, adding depth and atmosphere to the story.

While "The Exhibitionist" may not be a feel-good read, it offers a compelling exploration of complex family dynamics and the lasting effects of trauma. It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page, leaving you with much to ponder about the nature of family, forgiveness, and redemption.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

I wanted to like this book; I had high hopes given the successes its author, Charlotte Mendelson, has had with her previous novels, not to mention the blurbs exclaiming it to be “furiously funny,” “a devastating treat,” and “[s]oul-scouringly good,” and the Times UK naming it Novel of the Year while the Guardian, the Telegraph, and the Sunday Times (UK) all named it A Best Book of the Year. Despite my hopes and the accolades, I was terribly disappointed. The book is rambling, disjointed, pointless and nonsensical, and none of the characters are in the least bit sympathetic. The book is as pedestrian as I imagine a book can get, and the ending ties very few of its many loose ends together, making for an extraordinarily dissatisfying read.

Nevertheless, I appreciate being given this book for free as an advanced digital reader’s copy by NetGalley. My review of it is wholly VOLUNTARY.

This is familial issues at its finest as the family gathers to celebrate the patriarch’s exhibition. This story is about art, politics, finding yourself but above all family.

Thank you #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review