#DNF
#theexhibitionist
#charlottemendelson
#NetGalley published 7/4/23
#stmartinspress

I gave this book until 21%. I just could not go on. The entire family of characters has been introduced around the apparent most main character of all who has still yet to be. He's off book. Ray. The husband/father/stepfather/soon to be father in law. He is obviously the most narcissistic character around. I personally cannot, will not read an entire book about a hateful character. I have even once tried reading a Jane Austin book in which I found the MC to be an utter snob. Dnf. Yup. Not happening. I will not rate the book any place where it is not required. But will give it a neutral rating of 3⭐ wherever it is required. The fact that the author has gotten me to hate the character means to me that she has done her job. But I read for enjoyment. This is not enjoyable to me.

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I think this book is so gorgeously written and I’m sure so many readers will love it. I unfortunately wasn’t able to finish it for personal reasons, due to the parental cancer themes.

I was initially intrigued by this book and I just say I love the cover art! This book just was not for me, I did not like any of the characters and had a difficult time finishing. Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity read this Arc in exchange for an honest review.

It’s hard to like a story where there’s no good guys. In this dismal telling of a family’s weekend together, you quickly learn to hate dear old dad, feel disdain for long-suffering mom and pity their odd, needy children. And by needy, I mean in need of psychological counseling. Charlotte Mendelson has written a deeply disturbing book that will haunt me for weeks.

The Hanrahan are gathering for the patriarch Ray's art exhibition featuring his latest works in hopes of resurrecting his career. Ray's star has faded while his wife Lucia's is on the rise.
The impact of Ray's narcissism on family and others around him is on full display.
Unfortunately, I did not care for any of the characters.

An interesting read with complex characters There is a lot of drama and conflict within this family
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

SO-short and sweet. I did not like this read. I know it has been highly touted,but fog me had no redeeming features. The Hanrahan family is the focus and the father ( THE EXHIBITIONIST) is as abusive, narcissistic selfish person as they come. For me, the most empathetic character is his wife, but her passivity is absolutely infuriating. If meant as a comedy, it didn’t get any laughs from me.Can’t recommend this one 😂😂

This was beautifully written. But the main character was do monstrous and the reactions of those he affected so passive that I found the book to be discomfiting and ultimately unsatisfying

This book was great! I couldn't put it down! The premise was fresh and new, which is hard for me to say as I read so much each year! Sometimes it feels as though I keep reading similar stories, but this was a so original!

Would you give up your chance at a career to please your spouse? How long would you wait? This story is about the unraveling of a family that has been held hostage by a selfish man. The author has give us a compelling tale of grief, fear, misguided loyalty and manipulation. It takes some time to understand the family dynamic and one has to feel that the family has slowly been mentally poisoned. Why did the mother allow it? How could she not see it? Will she ever become strong? Will her grown children ever be strong? The novel has a bit of a slow start but gives us satisfying ending. I thought this was a thought provoking story set in the minor art world. The story taking place over a weekend is quite clever. I have seen it mentioned as comedy but I did not find it funny.

"The Exhibitionist" was a book that I was sure I would enjoy but unfortunately, the story failed to hook me. From what I see in the reviews, people either love or hate this novel and sadly, it was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I tend to enjoy books about complicated family drama, but this book had too many characters swing too hard to the "unlikeable" category for me too really enjoy it. I liked the setting of North London, and I like books written over a compressed timeline, but ultimately I found the characters to be unlikeable.

In The Exhibitionist, Charlotte Mendelson presents a nuanced and perceptive portrayal of the Hanrahan family, as they gather for a momentous weekend revolving around the new art exhibition of the Ray Hanrahan, the patriarch, and also a famous and egotistical artist, Readers get the perspectives of each family member, including Ray's children Leah, Patrick, and Jess, and his wife Lucia, a fellow artist, Mendelson delivers a complex look at the toxic and dysfunctional dynamic present within the family. A bit slow at times, evasive and funny at others, The Exhibitionist is a deep dive into character portrayal, and the often not so pretty side that reflects. Thank you #NetGalley and #StMartinPress for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Well written but the story didn't grab me so it was hard to get into it. Was kind of confusing in the beginning I wasn't sure what was going on.

Another take on the Tolstoy quote on "Happy families are all alike every unhappy family is unhappy in their own way", this novel is about the family of a narcissistic artist and the things he puts his family through as he prepares for an exhibition of his work. Ray Hanrahan is a talented artist but an awful human being. His wife Lucia, also an artist and a rising star in the art world is belittled and criticized by Ray as she struggles to hide her talent and the attention she receives from the art world. I found all of the characters to be awful in some way and not interesting. The writing was very florid and some of it just seemed off, especially the sexual thoughts that were constantly going through Lucia's mind.

Some things seemed over the top even for a family that dislikes each other. There is a scene where Lucia is at the hospital having tests to see if she has cancer and daughter Leah is crazed with concern that her father might be upset at seeing the mother being tested, seeing anything medical happening and hearing any sort of bad news. Even for someone who favors one parent, I cannot imagine someone who ignores and is angry at a person receiving cancer tests because it might upset the person's spouse. The younger daughter Jess is involved with a man who clearly doesn't care about her and only wants access to Ray and like her mother she puts up with all kinds of behavior one shouldn't expect from a partner.

I could never quite figure out why so many people would be willing to jump through hoops for a man whose talent has been waning for some time and who has a terrible personality. I was hoping for something to give him his just desserts in the end and while things did happen regarding Lucia and a relationship she was forming with another woman, I wasn't satisfied. I noticed some reviewers stated this is a comedy, but I didn't find many comedic elements. I did like the way the relationship between Lucia and Priya developed and the pacing as each chapter brought us closer to the exhibit date. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

If you're into dysfunctional families, this one is for you!

The main source of dysfunction in this story is Ray, the patriarch with an extremely sensitive ego. Throughout the book you explore the many ways he wrecks havoc within his family, and the toxicity be brings to each relationship.

Admittedly, it was the clever title and eye-catching cover that drew me to this book. I usually enjoy books about dysfunctional family dynamics, so I was sold. However, I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters and staying engaged in the story. While I was cheering for Lucia to break free and find joy, I didn't find the ending very validating. The writing was fine, there just wasn't anything unique or engaging about it.

2.5

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Charlotte Mendelson for this ARC.

This was not all what I expected. The writing was well done but the story was boring and depressing. I ended up not finishing.

I hate when the cover far surpasses the novel. It’s not that the writing was bad… it was just boring, like a telanovella that has no plot, or character development, not even characters you could fall in love with- just family drama that no one cares about.

2/5

I kept waiting for this book to get somewhere tolerable, but it never got there.

A tale of the family of a narcissistic artist who’s family is destroying themselves to survive him. His wife, an artist and artist herself, struggles through cancer and his inferiority during it, his daughters are emotionally crippled and can only see him as the best or worst. His stepson is unable to stand up for himself.

If there had been some resolution some challenge to his character some glimpse of what made this behavior tolerable , I probably would feel differently.

The premise of the book sounded interesting, but this was one I couldn't bring myself to finish. None of the characters were likable and there didn't really seem to be a plot to focus on. I pushed through the first 100 pages and didn't care how it ended. I don't like leaving negative reviews, sorry.