This was a strange novel that I enjoyed but struggled through. The text was a bit hard to read and I found it hard to understand, but I overall enjoyed where the story went.

I really enjoyed reading this story, it was what I was expecting from the description. The way this was written was so well done and Charlotte Mendelson has a great writing style. I was hooked on what was going on and loved getting to know the main characters. It was what I was hoping for.

“Mmmhm. Whereas, apparently, I was both Paki and coconut. And she’d cry at the thought of her family, who looked down on her for marrying a Gujarati man. But she, she wanted me to be the best.” “Were you?” “Mostly, yes. And at least I got married when all my cousins did. Major issue. And a Hindu.”

The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson is a wonderfully written novel.
My first novel by this author and I'm already ready to read anotherone.
The way Charlotte Mendelson developes a realistic family filled with many issues was amazing.
Our characters here you will dislike and or enjoy! I had a mix feeling of both.
They all have their faults, and they have plenty, I loved getting to know Lucia and Ray and following their journey.
This story is humorous, fun and very entertaining. I like how the writing and characters kept me engaged throughout.
A beautiful prose and a perfectly plotted novel.
A contemporary fiction of a dysfunctional family.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

St. Martin's Press,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

While this is a book billed as a comedy (furiously funny,..) I would say more of a satire. Whatever you are looking for, I definitely recommend!

The unfortunate Lucia, a skilled painter has stayed in a loveless marriage with a despicable and generally talentless artist named Ray. Their two children have split down the middle regarding sides with Leah taking Lucia's spot as the "supportive partner" and Jess leaving the family house and trying to stay as far away from the issues as she can. The house itself, a mansion that Ray built and is ruling into ruin, is falling apart much like everything associated with this family. The plot of the book is focused upon a single weekend when Ray is attempting an artistic comeback via his daughter Leah that will put him and his work on the map.

In the book, Ray takes every opportunity to belittle and insult the family members - he is so utterly unlikeable I can't imagine that he actually keeps the group of sycophants that protect his fragile ego. He is so immersed in himself that he does not realize that his wife is emerging from a cocoon - about to be a star. Lucia has done her best to coddle Ray but a chance encounter has now ignited a flame of interest in her - will it be enough to break her free of his iron grip? What will happen when the entire family comes home for Ray's exhibition?

I really loved this book! I enjoyed hating Ray and Mendelson paints a realistic family filled with many issues. There are many conflicts, near misses, ironic moments and of course the exciting climax and conclusion. If you love contemporary issue based fiction, dysfunctional families stuck in a home together, or just love beautiful prose and a perfectly timed plot, The Exhibitionist is for you! #STMartinsPress

This book raised my hackles in the first chapter. It didn't get any better in the second or the third. Perhaps it was just in comparison to a five-star rated book I just finished, but I literally could not continue reading. I had nothing but dislike for every character and the art scene described was simply way over my head.

I am so sorry to have been unable to finish reading this book. I only very rarely give up and not finish once I have started. Well, life's too short.

This book was recommended and I thought why not, give it a try. And trying it was. This new to me author wrote a story I could not easily connect with.
The Hanrahan family, Ray, a one time artist who's star long burned out, his wife Lucia, an artist herself, selfless to a fault, sacrificing her own calling and happiness and their three grown children. All together are caught in a story that I just find distancing, the story, the writing, I just couldn't connect. But I really liked the cover, so a paperback on the shelf would look really pretty.