Skip to main content

Member Reviews

The concept of this book was so fun! A nice blend of romance & magical realism. Loved the pacing and coziness.

Was this review helpful?

"The Art of Vanishing" by Morgan Pager is a truly unique and enchanting read that beautifully blends romance, fantasy, and a touch of magical realism. The concept alone is captivating: a museum employee falling in love with a man in a painting and discovering she can step into his world. This premise immediately drew me in, and the execution largely lived up to its imaginative promise, earning it a solid 5 stars.

The romance between Claire and Jean is genuinely sweet and develops in a wonderfully unconventional way. Their journey through various art masterpieces, as they fall deeper in love, provides a rich and visually stimulating backdrop to their story. Pager's writing style is evocative, making it easy to visualize the different artistic worlds they inhabit. I particularly enjoyed the way the book celebrated art itself, making it almost a character in its own right. The blend of historical fiction elements with the fantastical was also very well done, adding layers to the narrative.

What truly stands out is the sheer creativity of the central idea. It's rare to find a book that feels so fresh and original, and "The Art of Vanishing" delivers on that front. The magical realism is handled with a delicate touch, making the impossible feel wonderfully plausible within the story's context. The emotional connection between Claire and Jean is palpable, and I found myself rooting for their extraordinary love story.

While the pacing occasionally felt a little deliberate in places, and some minor plot points could have been tightened, these were small quibbles in an otherwise delightful and imaginative journey. "The Art of Vanishing" is a charming, heartfelt, and artistically inspired novel that offers a refreshing escape. If you're looking for a romance with a truly unique twist and a love for art, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Was this review helpful?

3.5/5 This was so cute!

I think this is perfect for fans of Ashley Poston's work, that sort of magical realism, and the art girlies!

This follows an art museum employee who essentially falls in love with a man in a painting.

I thought this was so fun and lovely and almost reminded me of the movie Midnight in Paris (I don't think I necessary know why with that one). Or maybe even Night at the Museum.

This is a very cozy, slower-paced read. The writing style is easy and quick to read, taking minimal effort (sometimes I find magical realism to be wordy or dense, this is not that). I did feel like the ending was a but rushed, but overall, this was so sweet and cute and enjoyable. Such an easy read that I think so many people will enjoy.

I also think that this cover is very cute!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Was this review helpful?

The overall plot of this was very intriguing to me – a young woman named Claire takes a job as a nighttime janitor in a museum and soon discovers that she can be pulled into the paintings she’s surrounded by. Night after night, she meets up with a young man named Jean and they travel from painting to painting, mingling with the inhabitants and exploring the terrain. The two of them eventually begin a romantic relationship.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like the writing style or the last two-thirds of their story. A lot of their story was told to you instead of actually unfolding on the page. I wasn’t rooting for them to be together because there weren’t enough situations where they interacted on a deeper level.<spoiler> I also didn’t enjoy that the pandemic was a part of their storyline. </spoiler>Claire had A LOT of stressful issues going on in her personal life. I wish that one or more of those could have been used as an excuse for their time apart. I wanted to see her overcome more and grow as a person. <spoiler>It also really bothered me that there wasn’t a happy ending for Claire and Jean. I think that the fantastical part of their story was so interesting, and it could have extended into a conclusion where they could live in a world together. It felt like the author wanted to tell a more magical story, but didn’t want to commit to it fully.</spoiler>

Thank you to author Morgan Pager, publisher Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of The Art of Vanishing in exchange for my review.

Was this review helpful?

The premise of The Art of Vanishing was intriguing, though I knew it was a bit of a gamble for me since I don't love magical realism. I found the magical realism element to be enjoyable. What I ended up struggling with was the underwhelming romance and "golly gee" feeling dialogue. I imagine this genre-bender to be tricky to market - does it fit with general fiction? Romance? Fantasy? For me, a massive romance reader, I didn't feel the romance got the spotlight it needed. And I'm not sure big fantasy readers would be satisfied either. Those who love magical realism, wherever it's shelved, will probably enjoy this.

Was this review helpful?

I read about 40% of this book before DNFing. I loved the concept but found myself rather bored and looking for something more.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun read with a creative setting and a couple of surprising twists. I enjoyed getting to know Claire and Jean. Well done!

Was this review helpful?

A completely unique and magical story about a night custodian at an art museum who finds that she can step into the painting on the wall. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit abrupt, and I was left with a few unanswered questions.

Was this review helpful?

Mature, but don't age
Stuck, immortal

Art of Vanishing
By Morgan Pager
Release Date: 7.1.25

Thank you @Randomhouse for the e-ARC of The Art of Vanishing. This was a fun, quirky, nostalgic read.

Claire begins her new job at the local Art Museum as an overnight Janitor. While cleaning one night, she finds herself believing that the people in the art have moved position.

This was a fun storyline with hints of magical realism and low steam romance. I like the two main characters and their interactions. For fans of Night at the Museum and Mary Poppins, this one will make you believe in magic and love.

I enjoyed the world that the author "paints" for Claire to explore within the art, but wanted more of a cross over by Jean on the other side. Without giving away spoilers, I also felt that a supporting character in the end that had a similar shared talent was capable of more. The ending left me a bit sad with the lack of story. Parts seamed to be missing in the second half of the book. Still, it was a fun book to escape into.

Was this review helpful?

This was a unique and whimsical premise, and I love that it primarily takes place in an art museum. I liked the alternating timelines- the only way I think this could be successful. The plot development was fine, nothing really surprised or moved me. But overall, it was a sweet, magical story to spend some time with.

Was this review helpful?

Cute romance with a magical element! As an art lover I loved the premise of this book. The romance was very sweet and I really enjoyed the characters!

Was this review helpful?

*Thank you to the publisher, Random House Publishing| Ballantine for E-ARC via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 ⭐️

When I picked up The Art Of Vanishing I wasn’t sure what to expect. I enjoyed the fact that it featured art, and from the summary, it sounded like a unique idea. I love the idea of someone who can travel through paintings, a unique twist on time travel. I couldn't help but be curious about the story and wondering how things would work out between Claire and Jean, given that Jean is part of a painting. I enjoyed the first half of the book, especially the relationship between Jean and Claire, even though I felt it moved too quickly. I felt Jean and Claire didn't really get to know each other, and the next thing I know, they're falling in love. However, I adored the bond that the two of them formed and the way they traveled through the other paintings. It always left me wondering where the two of them would go next.

I loved the premise of the book, and the writing style. The Art of Vanishing reminded me of Night Of Museum; except this was on more romance level. I adored that it took place in museums, I adore art and museums. I loved how the author weaved together real artwork, which I ended up looking up once I finished the book. There was a connection between Claire and Jean, but I felt that there should have been more emotional connection between the two of them, and I felt that the dialogue between the characters was sometimes forced. I enjoyed the dual POV, which allowed me to feel more connected to each of the characters. I enjoyed both characters’ perspectives, but I felt a stronger connection to Jean's than Claire's.

The second half of the book was slower and seemed rushed at times. There were some interesting points, but it didn't keep my attention like the first half of the book did. I loved the atmospheric vibes. I adored the concept of this book. The Art Of Vanishing was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. It made me want to investigate other books that combine art, history, and museums. Readers who enjoy romance, magical realism, and art history will enjoy this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is a really charming debut from one of bookstagram's favorite OGs, and it was a great delight to read. It's a touch magical and full of lovely descriptions of art, but also deals with heavier issues like the pandemic and Claire's home situation.

Was this review helpful?

What a delight! I've followed Morgan as @nycbookgirl for years, and I was so excited to read her debut novel. I don't read many magical realism novels, but a story about a woman who learns she can jump into paintings sounds intriguing. The story of Jean and Claire was endearing, and I liked how conflict emerged in the narrative, particularly the hiccups that didn't directly relate to the main plot (e.g., Claire lives in modern society and falls for a man from another time, as depicted in a painting).

This was an absorbing novel that explores how we examine art, our claim to it, and how art brings people together. I really enjoyed this, and it made me want to go to an art gallery immediately. I found myself thinking about it and craving its magic as I went about my life.

Was this review helpful?

I loved the premise of this book, and I think anyone who finds joy in an art museum will, too. That being said, I found the book a bit hard to get into. The characters were not set up in the beginning in a believable way. In particular, I didn't feel like I knew enough about Claire to be bought into her crush on a man in a fauvist-style painting. And then when she entered the "art" world I felt a disconnect between the way some aspects of that world were described as still looking "painting-like" (for example, the brushstrokes still evident on Jean) while other things like wine seemed to take on the full characteristics of the "real" world. Despite this, I think it was a nice enough romp around a fictional world.

Was this review helpful?

The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager was an amazing take on the museum novel.
A stunning debut that sparkled with whimsical exploration of magical realism.
A super sweet and cozy romance story.
This story was so delightful!
I found the writing to be so endearing, the descriptions so vivid, and the characters were a lot of fun... I got so lost in the story.
Pager did a phenomenal job with her debut title.
I can’t wait to pick up her next one.

Was this review helpful?

Things I loved: sweet and cozy love story, the magical realism part of the story, Jean and his endearing qualities, the absolute love of art shown throughout these pages, the concept overall!

Didn’t love: plot holes (especially as relates to Claire’s ex? That truly felt superfluous), unresolved nature of the final “big event” in the book despite multiple leads in a certain direction, several inclusions that were unnecessary to the plot, the rushed pacing at the end, and the portion of the book set during COVID.

Overall: this was a lovely debut with an amazing concept, but fell a bit flat for me, and there were several issues I just couldn’t overlook. However, it was a sweet read, and as someone who appreciates art, I loved the clear love of art throughout.

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 rounded up to 4

A sweet story about a museum employee who meets and falls in love with a man in a painting.

Whimsical, magical realism (think Mary Poppins or Night at the Museum) with a side of mystery surrounding the theft of an artifact on display in the gallery.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Claire, a newly-hired museum janitor, learns she can step inside the paintings and falls in love with Jean, the subject of Matisse’s “The Music Lesson.” I don’t read much magical realism, so this was a fun change of pace for me.

I loved the premise, but some of the plot and most of the dialogue felt very young and juvenile. If you enjoy art history or have ever wondered what it’d be like to inhabit one of a musueum’s paintings, this one’s for you.

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨4.5/5
Book: The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager
Genre: Magical Realism / Fiction

If you were obsessed with Night at the Museum or ever dreamed of walking into an art painting like in Harry Potter, the book The Art of Vanishing is pure magic. As someone who has spent hours getting lost in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, MoMA, and the Natural History Museum in New York City, this book made me feel like I was right there again, soaking in the stillness and wonder… except in this story, the people in the paintings are not so still.

The main female character, Claire, is a quiet night shift worker who starts to notice that the man in the Matisse painting, Jean, is watching her a little too closely. And somehow, impossibly, she steps into his painting. I absolutely loved the dreamy, whimsical energy of it all and how their romance unfolded inside and outside the art frames. The blend of historical art settings, a slow burn love story, and that undercurrent of longing really worked for me. It felt cozy, a little sad, a little magical, and completely captivating.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Morgan Pager, Ballantine Books, and Random House Publishing Group for the lovely eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💙

Was this review helpful?