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There are currently 21 member reviews
for Tuesday Nights in 1980
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Sally H. (Geneva, OH)
Tuesday Nights in 1980
I'm an auditory rather than visual artist and would never live in NYC, but Prentiss' first novel still held my interest and attention until the end, so I'm sure that fans of art and NYC will love this book. I do wish the author had tied things up at the end, but not everyone likes to do that. Tuesday Nights in 1980 would be a good choice for a book club.
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Linda B. (Kingsville, MD)
Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss
I was very interested in reading this book because it was about the lives of starving artists and an art critic. This book grabbed my attention right away; the writing style was very descriptive and flowed like music to accompany the surrounding art scene. The character development was excellent and the book never dragged. I read a bit each night to savor it instead of reading too quickly, as I am wont to do.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the arts or life in New York City. It would also interest people who are interested in South American countries where there is much political unrest. This would make a great book club discussion book! I look forward to reading more books by Molly Prentiss.
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Terrie J. (Eagan, MN)
Interesting blend of characters and timeframe
I enjoyed this book. It captured different cultures, dysfunction, the art world and some violence - what a combination to have in one book. Molly's writing style was good and it was easy to follow as she jumped between characters. The 80s were filled with confusion in real life as the Wall Street group made a lot of money and the struggling artists struggled. Even though Molly didn't bring the 80s wealth into this novel, she captured the art world very well. The character development was good.
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Ruthie A. (Summit, NJ)
Promising Debut!
I have mixed feelings about this book; the descriptions in the novel, of places, art, personalities, etc were compelling. I felt, like Lucy, like a newcomer, frightened, thrilled and in awe of the portrayal of the city. The mood and tone were perfectly conveyed, this author can write! On the other hand, the actual characters did not feel fully realized. The novel introduces us to characters, telling (vs showing) us that they are handsome, gawky, breathtakingly beautiful etc, but often she gives us the behavior way before the explanation. Why does a man-whore fall head over heels in love with THIS woman, I did not see what made her so special, so irresistible, until some tiny hints were dropped much later in the novel. Some events were so "coincidental" as to be unbelievable (how Lucy finds an apartment etc).
We meet interesting characters who drop out of the story and I found that frustrating.
It took me a while to get into this book, I never felt that I couldn't put it down, but it was still interesting as it brought me into the art world in NYC in the 1980s, an era I am a bit obsessed with. I see a lot of potential here, just wish the editor had addressed some issues.
Still well worth reading!
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Marybeth T. (Bellingham, WA)
Good Debut
I liked this book even though it was definitely not my genre. I found it a little mystical, with the colors associated with certain people, but it fit. The writing was what really kept me going. I found it to be a well written book. I also liked the time period. 1980 in New York, what's not to like!
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Kenan R. (Liberty, MO)
I Just Didn't Love It
On the surface this is a good book. It captures perfectly the scene in New York City at the end of the seventies - when Manhattan is still dangerous and gritty, and art is just beginning to be seen as currency and about to explode as a commercial enterprise. It moves along at a good clip, and we are certainly engaged enough as readers to want to continue. Something was missing however - the three main characters remained at arms length, as though they were not fully fleshed out and three dimensional. I was left feeling a little cold, and so their tragedies and situations did not necessarily move me. I kept hoping for something more as far as our 3 protagonists were concerned, but I never got there.
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Sandra C. (Rensselaer, NY)
Different book
This is a rather "arty" book. I found the use of colors interesting but a bit bizarre. The story of the two men and their relationship to Lucy holds your interest to the end.
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