The Perfect Landscape

By: Ragna Sigurdardottir, Sarah Bowen - translator

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

After building a career in the galleries and museums of Amsterdam, art theorist Hanna has returned to Iceland to what she hopes will be a posh new job. Though small, the museum in Reykjavik has a sterling reputation - one sure to be burnished by a valuable piece donated by a wealthy patron. Painted by Iceland’s most beloved 20th-century artist, the acquisition is poised to become the jewel of the museum’s collection - until a conservator announces it’s a fake.

Determined to preserve the museum’s reputation and bolster her own, Hanna delves deep into the shadowy world of art forgery, where she will discover an unexpected truth framed by a half-century of lies.

©2012 Ragna Sigurdardottir (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Fine Art Intrigue Set In Iceland

I enjoyed this story about a woman working in her native Iceland as a director at a local museum annex. It has aspects of a mystery but is more of a window into a different world experience. The story is heavy on the internal thoughts of the main character as she maintains a placid exterior and finds her way in a new job. The depiction of Iceland, Russia and the world of fine art collecting is all fascinating.

The narration is good. The Icelandic names and place names were very complicated. Having the narrator helped me get through them with at least a chance at the correct sound. If I had read the book I would have been guessing and probably making up pronunciations as I went along! So it was a help.

Recommended if you are interested in art, art history, some suspense, and a visit to a very different part of the world. Engaging and thoughtful. Glad I gave it a try.