Review: Ryan knows how to create interesting characters, and she tells a whale of a tale
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 8, 2013
Anyone who has watched episodes of television series like Bones or Monk, or who has seen the movie Temple Grandin is going to have a bit of insight into the fascinating character of Dr. Genevieve Lenard. Lenard may have a very high IQ, and she may be extremely successful at what she does, but it is due to her finding someone who is willing to deal with her on her own terms and special needs. Social interaction is not Lenard's thing; to do her best work, she needs to keep herself at a distance, and distance is certainly not what she's allowed in The Gauguin Connection.Author Estelle Ryan does an excellent job in portraying her quirky, prickly, and nervous main character, although in the first third of the book Ryan does become very repetitive in cataloging facial muscles and Lenard's habits. The first person narrative works well in getting the reader into the mind of this unusual woman.The author also does a fine job in bringing the reader into the shadowy world of art forgery and art fraud-- from the scruffy apartments of the forgers to the glittering world of the wealthy whose preferred palette is that of theft and deception. Ryan also creates a real sense of fear and danger in a scene when Lenard is faced with three of the men she is trying to find.The book is filled with unusual, interesting characters, and I learned much about how people with high-functioning Autism learn to cope and contribute. The shadowy side of the art world that we see was also informative and conveyed a true sense of danger; however, there were a couple of things that felt a bit uncoordinated. I've already mentioned the repetitive elements as Ryan set up her main character, and the other awkwardness I felt has much to do with the setting.This book supposedly takes place in Strasbourg, France, but-- other than a rare mention of a medieval street or tower-- The Gauguin Connection feels as though it could be set just about anywhere in the world. In addition, the characters all sound American, although they're not. I have to admit that my mind's eye and ear missed those bits of authenticity. Even though I felt the lack of these elements, what is there-- a fascinating main character and a whale of a good story-- has me wanting to read more about Dr. Genevieve Lenard.