Book Summary and Reviews of The Lost Masterpiece by B. A. Shapiro

Book Summary

A fascinating art history novel from New York Times bestselling author of The Art Forger, B.A. Shapiro, whose new mystery follows 19th-century Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot and her 21st-century great-great-great granddaughter, who inherits a Nazi-looted Edouard Manet painting; for fans of Sarah Dunant, Elizabeth Kostova, Robin Oliveira, and Nancy Horan.

Stretching from the late-nineteenth century to the present day, The Lost Masterpiece is wrapped around an enigmatic and powerful painting, Party on the Seine. Stolen by the Nazis. Believed to be destroyed for almost a century. Possibly haunted by the anguished spirit of Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot. Survivor of a flood, an earthquake and a fire when all the other artworks around it were destroyed. What secrets does it hold? What power?

When Tamara Rubin inherits the valuable Party on the Seine, created by the famous ancestor she never knew she had—Edouard Manet—she also inherits a deep history and mystery. As the painting begins to metamorphose into darker and more terrifying versions of itself, Tamara's life is upended. Who was her great-great-great-great-grandmother Berthe Morisot? What wounds, riddles and resentments plagued her, and what lengths will the spirit of Berthe go in order to enact her revenge?

The Lost Masterpiece is story of love, adultery, betrayal, longing, family secrets, and the birth of Impressionism. Set partly in Paris in the late 1800s, the novel explores the life of a female artist when it was completely improper for a woman to paint seriously. Even as Berthe Morisot socialized and shared a studio with Manet, Degas, Renoir, and others, she carried on a passionate affair with Edouard Manet. Shapiro brings Berthe's world to life, as she traces her work through generations of her descendants and introduces us to a painter as brilliant and original as her male counterparts. Across 150 years of triumphs, struggles, passions, animosities and malevolence, Shapiro does what she always does so brilliantly: she shows us how art can open up our senses and enlarge our world.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Berthe and Tamara are both independent minded, strong-willed women. Did you see commonalities in their choices as the story progressed? How were they different?
2. In this novel, Berthe Morisot and Èdouard Manet have a passionate affair. Do you think their infidelity was justified? Why or why not?
3. How familiar were you with art history before picking up this book? What did The Lost Masterpiece teach you about art history that you didn't know previously?
4. How did you react to Tamara's relationship with Wyatt? Do you think they are good together? Did your perception of them change throughout the book?
5. What did you think of Suzanne and Eugène? Do you sympathize with them? Do you like or dislike them...