In this captivating novel, New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis takes readers into the glamorous lost art school within Grand Central Terminal, where two very different women, fifty years apart, strive to make their mark on a world set against them. For most New Yorkers, Grand Central Terminal is a crown jewel, a masterpiece of design. But for Clara Darden and Virginia Clay, it … Virginia Clay, it represents something quite different.
For Clara, the terminal is the stepping stone to her future. It is 1928, and Clara is teaching at the lauded Grand Central School of Art. Though not even the prestige of the school can override the public’s disdain for a “woman artist,” fiery Clara is single-minded in her quest to achieve every creative success—even while juggling the affections of two very different men. But she and her bohemian friends have no idea that they’ll soon be blindsided by the looming Great Depression…and that even poverty and hunger will do little to prepare Clara for the greater tragedy yet to come.
By 1974, the terminal has declined almost as sharply as Virginia Clay’s life. Dilapidated and dangerous, Grand Central is at the center of a fierce lawsuit: Is the once-grand building a landmark to be preserved, or a cancer to be demolished? For Virginia, it is simply her last resort. Recently divorced, she has just accepted a job in the information booth in order to support herself and her college-age daughter, Ruby. But when Virginia stumbles upon an abandoned art school within the terminal and discovers a striking watercolor, her eyes are opened to the elegance beneath the decay. She embarks on a quest to find the artist of the unsigned masterpiece—an impassioned chase that draws Virginia not only into the battle to save Grand Central but deep into the mystery of Clara Darden, the famed 1920s illustrator who disappeared from history in 1931.
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Historical fiction, dual timelines, strong women
Interesting information about Grand Central Station
Fascinating glimpse into the lives of women in the New York of 1928 and 1974. The two plots are wrapped around the art school located inside Grand Central Terminal, and the Terminal itself. I loved the insights about art and the struggles of artists, and I kept revising my opinion of which masterpiece the title referred to. The struggle of women in three generations is the backbone of this novel, though. Davis’ rendering of Clara, Virginia, and Ruby was as poignant as any of the artistic renderings in the book.
Having spent a lot of time in this grand terminal, and being a lover of art, this book spoke to me on many levels. Filled with little known facts and the many secrets of the space from the past and the present (1970’s), Davis creates an intriguing mystery, with some quirky, flawed characters including the building itself. A worthwhile read.
I was captivated by all the detail in this book. From the characters, the story line, the descriptions and most especially, having Grand Central Terminal come alive with its rich history, readers will be enthralled with this novel and will learn a lot. I’m definitely hooked on this author’s books, and now I need to read all of them.
I thoroughly enjoy reading historical fact with some great fiction mixed in and Fiona Davis is Always up to the job! Complicated and relatable characters bring us along on a mysterious adventure of truth and justice.
One if the best historical fiction I’ve read in a long time.
This is the third novel I have read by this author and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. Atmospheric with a captivating tale spun around historical landmarks in New York, this tale focuses on a piece of art found in New York’s Grand Central Terminal building. The story flips back and forth between an artist in 1928 and a single mother in 1974, who finds a piece of art in the Terminal, where she works. Very pleasant narrator.
Love Fiona Davis books! Always learn so much of the history of these NYC landmark buildings. I love the way she presents the story of 2 different time periods along with the twists and turns that brings them together.
All 3of her books are wonderful they put a smile and a I didn’t see that coming her books are full of informant 3 major nyc historical spots
Interesting background on the fight to keep Grand Central Station from being torn down.
This is historical novel, which is about Grand Central Station and Art school from 1928 story line and also 1974 story line. The writing is excellent and the characters are interesting. This book made me do some research into the history of Grand Central Station in New York City.
Fascinating story set in Grand Central Terminal in New York. A real treat for history buffs regarding NYC history.
This is third book Fiona Davis has written. Love her take on New York life back in the day.
really enjoyed. captivating
I just finished The Masterpiece and I can’t recommend it strongly enough! It was a great read. The story went back and forth in time from the ‘20s to the ‘70s but was so entertained that it wasn’t awkward or hard to follow at all. Like Fiona Davis’s other novels it was set in New York City and involved a landmark building, Grand Central Terminal. And, like her earlier novels, I learned a lot about Grand Central itself. The finale is dynamite! I hope you’ll gives this book a chance. I don’t believe you’ll be sorry.
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis is a dual timeline novel. It is April in 1928 in New York City where Clara Darden works as an illustration teacher at Grand Central School of Art. She is the only female faculty member and looked down upon because she is woman and an illustrator. After being taken under the wing of Oliver Smith, a poet and Levon Zakarian, a brash artist, Clara’s star starts to rise. Clara becomes the go-to illustrator for Vogue and she even designs a car. But looming on the horizon is the great depression and a horrible accident.
Virginia Clay has been divorced almost a year and is forced to get a job in 1974 New York. After being unsuccessful as lawyer’s secretary, Virginia is assigned to the information booth at Grand Central Terminal. The building has deteriorated over the years and now there is a lawsuit to demolish the historical landmark to pave the way for a skyscraper. Virginia gets lost one day and stumbles into the area that once belonged to the Grand Central School of Art. She spies a beautiful painting hidden behind a cabinet in the storage room after an unexpected encounter. Virginia is drawn to the work of art and decides to take it with her. Little does she know that this one act will propel her into a mystery that goes back to 1928 and will include threatening letters.
I found The Masterpiece to be an engaging story. It is well-written and has steady pacing. The POV switches between Clara and Virginia as the tale unfolds. The transitions were smooth, and it was easy to keep track of the various characters. Fiona Davis is a descriptive writer which brings the book alive. I could picture Grand Central Terminal in my mind along with New York from Ms. Davis’ word imagery. I cannot believe that people wanted to demolish this architectural masterpiece. I felt she captured the time-periods with the language, clothing, the lifestyles and attitudes. I could tell that the author did her research and it was interesting to learn the history of the Grand Central Terminal. Ms. Davis created realistic characters that fit into their time periods. I preferred Clara over Virginia. I loved the descriptions of Clara’s artwork and how she evolved as an artist. I liked that Virginia cared for Grand Central Terminal and was willing to do what was needed to help save the building. The mystery was clever, and readers will be surprised at the reveal. Fiona Davis crafted a historical novel with a complex plot that will capture readers attention and hold it until the very end. The Masterpiece is my favorite novel by Fiona Davis and it is one of the best books I have read in quite some time.
THE MASTERPIECE by Fiona Davis is a captivating historical fiction novel centered around the rich and vibrant history of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. I had read Fiona Davis’ two previous novels, THE DOLLHOUSE and THE ADDRESS and loved them both, so I couldn’t wait to dive into THE MASTERPIECE. Told in dual timelines and dual narratives, we meet two strong women whose connection to Grand Central Terminal exists 50 years apart, yet they face some of the same struggles finding their way in a male-dominated world. The story goes back and forth between the station’s history in its glory days in the 1920s and the 1970s when it has fallen into filth and neglect. The author weaves the two stories together seamlessly, with a surprising connection at the end. I appreciate how expertly Fiona Davis combines historical and fictional details and THE MASTERPIECE was no exception. I enjoyed the vibrant descriptions of the lifestyles of the two periods and accurate depiction of the characters that actually existed. As with Fiona Davis’ previous novels, I learned something new from reading this book and that is always exciting for me. I highly recommend THE MASTERPIECE and can’t wait to see what Fiona Davis writes next.
Being an artist who grew up in NYC I found this book exceptionally enjoyable . I love the way the story blends from the 1930s to contemporary.
This unrealistic novel did not live up to its author’s reputation.
Loved the characters