The Portrait by Antoine Laurain

The Portrait Reviews

• 
  Connie G

  "The Portrait" is a witty novella by the French author Antoine Laurain. Lawyer Pierre-Francois Chaumont has been a collector of antiques since childhood. He has a troubled marriage with frequent fights with his wife because he is constantly bringing home more items to add to his collections. Chaumont is walking through an auction salesroom when he sees the item that would change his life. He spots an eighteenth-century pastel of a man in a powdered wig with a face that looked like Chaumont's, and a coat of arms in the corner. He becomes obsessed with the portrait, researching the coat of arms until he found a match. As he gets close to identifying the man in the painting, he has a chance to remake his own life.
  
  This is a delightful book that can be read in a couple of hours. While not always totally realistic, it has a good plot, an interesting back story, and a surprise at the end. Who knows where our obsessions will lead us?
• 
  Bianca

  I'm afraid this was quite disappointing. I've read three other books by Laurain which were far more enjoyable.
  
  The plot was far fetched and I didn't care for any of the characters, who were very sketchy. I wasn't charmed in any way, if anything, I was bored.
  
  This was the first novella Laurain ever wrote but it was only translated this year. I guess The Portrait is useful to prove how much Laurain has grown as a writer.
• 
  Mike Sumner

  I came across The President's Hat a couple of years back, bought it, read it, loved it. In a recent foray to Waterstones I spotted this - The Portrait - by the same author, Antoine Laurain. A gentle piece of Gallic whimsy, "a hymn to la vie Parisienne" for anyone who loves all things French.
  
  It is beautifully written as we follow the nostalgic journey of Pierre-François Chaumont, a lawyer and avid collector of all things antique. On a visit to his favourite auction house he is stunned to discover an eighteenth century portrait of an unknown man who looks just like him!. His jaded wife and circle of friends say they are unable to see the resemblance. Clearly, they have a hidden motive...
  
  Chaumont remains convinced and his researches into the painting's history lead him on a journey into a brand new life, in a plot with a totally unexpected twist at the end. A joy to read, not quite up to The President's Hat, but delightful nonetheless.
• 
  tamsbookishsideoflife

  Nett gemeinte 3 🌟
  Würd sich eher so bei 2,5 einpendeln.
  Dem Buch haben um die 200 Seiten, ein Spannungsbogen und eine logische Story gefehlt.
• 
  Glenda

  This is the third Laurain novel I have read and I'm glad. If I had been introduced to Laurain's writing with this, his first, novel, I doubt I would have read more. Although I didn't mind the story, it simply did not have the delight and cohesiveness of the other two I read (The Red Notebook and The President's Hat). This still had intrigue and an interesting plot, but seemed to try to hard to be clever. I am thankful Laurain wrote this first novel because it enabled him to hone his craft and write some really fun, entertaining, other novels I'll be delighted to read again and again. This one, on the other hand, will probably just sit on the shelf.
• 
  Mo

  A strange little story, and I'm not sure if I can recommend it. This author has written better ones!
• 
  Cheryl

  I have read 4 of Mr Laurain's books now, and this one is unlike the others. I love how he can descriptively write a short story without over describing it. The ending was a little bazaar, but I believe the Brothers caught the fox.
• 
  Eve

  I so enjoyed The Red Notebook and couldn’t wait to get my hands on The Portrait. It is another fast read from Antoine Laurain but quirkier than its predecessor. Laurain explores the intriguing premise, which leads to strange twists. Like the protagonist in The Red Notebook, Pierre Francois comes across a mysterious object, a painting, whose subject and origin spark an obsession. The ending, however, was a bit ambiguous. Read one way and the tone changes to something very dark and not in keeping with the mostly light-hearted rest of the story. It begs to be reread and seen from a new point of view.
  
  “Modern eyes? They have no soul; they no longer look up to heaven. Even the most pure are only concerned with the immediate. Vulgar lust, petty self-interest, greed, vanity, prejudice, cowardly appetites and envy. Those are the abominable emotions swarming in today’s eyes. We have the souls of notaries and cooks. That’s why the eyes on the portraits in museums are so spectacular; they reflect prayers and tortures, regrets and remorse.”
  
  
• 
  Deb in UT

  This is the third book I've read by Laurain in three days. The books are relatively short and very quick and easy to read. They've provided a nice contrast to the longer French novel I'm also reading, The Count of Monte Cristo, while also being very French.
  
  I like this book least of the three. Apparently this was Laurain's first published novel. There are things I like about it, particularly one particular aspect of the ending. It's a very psychological book-- what goes on in the life and mind of Chaumont. The portrait of the title is one that he buys at an auction. The idea that his collections of objects matter so much to him, more than living people, and how that changes is interesting. I do like how Laurain's characters transform and start new lives- a common theme through all three books.
  
  I'm not sure I'd recommend this one. It's okay. It's kind of interesting and entertaining. It's not my favorite, but I'm not mad I read it.
• 
  Debra Schoenberger

  Antoine Laurain has written a provocative and uncanny novella that takes place in Paris. The story revolves around a collector, an obsessive collector whose passion began as a child when he decided to start a rubber eraser collection.  Pierre-Francois Chaumont is a lawyer is devoted to surrounding himself with beautiful objects. His obsession has landed him in trouble with his wife so he's on the straight and narrow. Until he sees the portrait.  The face is his own.
  
  This story has a  very different feel from the other novels the author has written.  Whereas the stories such as "The Red Notebook" and "The President's Hat" were good natured and lively, this tale is a tad darker with a hint something that is possibly otherworldly.
  
  A good book to bring with you as you enjoy a cappuccino at your favourite cafe.
• 
  Jeffrey Schwartz

  A quick read, but definitely not up to par compared to his other novels. The whole time I was reading I kept thinking that this read like a first novel, only to learn from one of the pages of back-matter that it was his first novel. The plotting and characterization aren't as tight as his previous novels, and the ending rushes by in an instant with one rather large plot thread left hanging. Still, for Francophiles and fans of Laurain's other books, this will keep you diverted for a couple hours.
• 
  Erin

  UPDATE: Literally forgot I had already read this when I checked it out of the library this go around. Still as charming as ever!
  
  A delight! I've read every book the author has written and loved each one, so I knew I would enjoy this one, too. While perhaps nothing will match how much I adored "The President's Hat," this comes close. I loved the premise (I work in an auction house, so the Drouot scenes were especially interesting to me) and flew through it.
• 
  Diana

  Another great book from Antoine Laurain. While I didn't love this as much as The President's Hat, it was still a good read. The third book I have read of this author, my favourite find of 2017. I think I only have one more title to read then I'll have to wait for new releases.
• 
  Thebooktrail

  
  
  
  Visit the locations in the book
  
  A short and unassuming book but one which really got to me. A man who loves collecting antiques is ridiculed by his wife who seems to hate everything he brings back home. I think she’d be more impressed if they had a cat and he brought back a dead mouse or something.
  
  Chaumont loves antiques and the stories they tell. He has to hear their story before he knows how to look after them. His desire to hear their story is what really interested me as I love wandering in such shops and imagining the stories each item has to tell. They say if only walls could talk, but I would rather antiques did.
  
  He picks up a painting that looks very much like him. I immediately thought ooh Dorian Gray.. but this is a different kind of story about looking within oneself and finding that life can be as quite to change as finding an object in a shop..
  A nice quirky read.
• 
  Katherine Sunderland

  Beautifully written, this is a real hidden gem of a novel. Slim at 128 pages it is a novel that you can finish in a weekend if not sooner but is as enriching and satisfying as a novel four times that length. The story is entertaining, thought provoking, clever and down right delightful. The characters are well conceived and well crafted and the writing is eloquent and stylish. I found the relationship between the narrator and his wife amusing and yet sad; it made me smile, enjoy the wry humour but also feel the weight of unhappiness between them. The narrator has captured the tension, resentment, complications and layers of grey within a marriage. All the characterisation shows sharp insight and shrewd observations.
  A little book but one deserving huge attention and acclaim. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am a real fan of this author's writing. I recommend.
• 
  Tracy Shephard

  I adore Antoinie Laurain novels, I love the quirky, charming tales that always seem to give the reader the unexpected.
  
  Pierre-Francois Chaumont is a collector of antiques, and when he stumbles across a portrait, he thinks looks just like him, his life changes and he uncovers some things about his wife and his friends that he really ought to have known about. His obsession with finding out about the painting, and a coat of arms, leads him to a discovery that is unique and quite simply astonishing. I loved it. 
  
  The ending was not what I expected but was fitting for the story. 
  
  I loved his 'Great Aunt' Edgar, there really should be a story all about him, he is such a fabulous character!! 
  
  This very short read is perfect for an afternoon of reading
• 
  Charlotte Jones

  Antoine Laurain is an author I've been wanting to read more from for a few years now. I read and enjoyed The Red Notebook and then struggled and ultimately put down The President's Hat, therefore I've wanted to give something else a go.
  
  Unfortunately this was mixed for me. The attitude and actions taken towards women in this are uncomfortable and outdated. I also found the ending to not be satisfying. However, there were aspects of this that I thoroughly enjoyed.
  
  I really liked the eerie quality that this book has and the way that the mystery kept getting deeper.
  
  Overall I enjoyed this novella but it may have benefitted from being a bit longer.
• 
  Mônica Nogueira

  Não gostei, o que foi uma decepção pra mim pois sou fão do autor e esse é o primeiro livro dele que não gosto. Achei o mistério fraco e o personagem principal absolutamente desprezível (o livro ganhou uma estrela a a mais só pela construção de um personagem que me desagradou tanto, isso tem seu mérito). Sinceramente não via a hora de acabar..
• 
  Maureen Grigsby

  Another charming novel from Antoine Laurain. A man purchases an antique portrait that looks just like him, but he seems to be the only person who can see the resemblance. So he begins his research on the portrait...
• 
  Rowan

  I'm on the hunt for light reads this dark and wintery time of year, and Antoine Laurain has fit the bill nicely with his short and quirky novels. This is probably not his best book, but is still an intriguing and quick read.
• 
  Laura McGee

  Read this book over the course of two flights and it was wonderful! Antoine Laurain has such a unique voice and I love it.
• 
  Wilde Sky

  An avid collector buys a picture that changes his life.
  
  I thought this story was good, even though it was simple.
• 
  Sara ☾

  2,5 Sterne
• 
  Nora

  3.5: a fun read but definitely not one of my favourites.
• 
  Sabine

  Ich schiebe diese Rezension jetzt schon länger vor mir her, weil ich immer noch über das Buch nachdenke und es mich einfach nicht loslassen will – beim Lesen selber hat es gar nicht diese große Faszination auf mich gehabt, aber dafür hallt es um so länger nach.
  
  Wieder hat sich der Autor eine ganz besondere Geschichte ausgedacht. Der Anwalt Pierre-François Chaumont liebt es, Dinge zu sammeln, seine Frau hat für diese Leidenschaft dagegen wenig Verständnis. Als er ein altes Portrait ersteigert, auf dem er sich selbst erkennt, macht er sich auf die Suche, woher das Bild stammt.
  
  Die Geschichte ist wieder mit einer wunderbaren Sprache erzählt, eine Sprache, in die ich sofort versinken kann und in der ich mich unglaublich wohl fühle. Dabei sollte man jetzt keine Angst vor blumigen oder ausschweifenden Beschreibungen haben, nein, die Sprache ist einfach poetisch und trifft mit jedem Wort genau das Wesentliche – und oft auch mitten ins Herz. Dazu hat natürlich auch die Geschichte beigetragen, die – obwohl von der Stimmung her eher melancholisch und traurig – doch Mut macht, neue Wege einzuschlagen, Eingefahrenes zu verlassen und so dem Leben neue Chancen einzuräumen. Eine schöne Botschaft, die mir gut gefällt.
  
  Beim Lesen habe ich zwar den Zauber der Sprache gefühlt, den Zauber den Geschichte aber erst nach einigen Tagen, in denen ich noch viel über die Geschichte nachgedacht habe, weil sie mir nicht aus dem Kopf gehen wollte. Sie hat einfach etwas Magisches, etwas Unwirkliches – und trotzdem ist sie auch wieder sehr real und hat bei mir ein Gefühl ausgelöst, auch mal Dinge anzugehen und sie nicht vor sich her zu schieben.
  
  Die Figur des Pierre-François Chaumonts ist außergewöhnlich, dabei aber sehr gut gezeichnet – und obwohl sie so außergewöhnlich ist und die Geschichte manchmal wie ein Traum erscheint, ist sie doch sehr authentisch. Ich habe mit Pierre-François Chaumont gelitten, seine Leidenschaft gespürt und bin daher auch gerne mit ihm auf diese ungewöhnliche Suche eingegangen. Andere Charaktere waren nicht ganz so filigran ausgearbeitet, ließen sogar ein paar Klischees erkennen, das aber hat mir gar nichts ausgemacht, weil sie so sehr gut in die Geschichte passten.
  
  Wie schon die anderen Bücher Antoine Laurains, hat mir auch dieses wieder sehr gut gefallen. Eine Geschichte, die bei mir zwar erst auf den zweiten Blick ihren wahren Charme entwickelt hat, die mich dann aber vollends gepackt hat – ich gebe gerne 4 von 5 Sternen.
  
• 
  Wendy

  What a remarkable little book, I thoroughly enjoyed it! The author Antoine Laurain breathes life into yet another inanimate object, intent on wreaking havoc on an unsuspecting Parisian. This time a picture paints really does paint a thousand words, none of which will delight a wife uninterested by her husband’s passion… for antiques.
  
  Pierre-Francois Chaumont might be an obsessive procurer of beautiful bygone objects, but he’s also an effective collector of insults from the easily irritated Charlotte. She tolerates each new purchase with less relish than if he had brought roadkill back for tea.
  
  He welcomes each artefact for the heady anticipation of the story it can tell. Every object’s personality speaks to him and restores the thrill in his life, even if his wife is unappreciative of the newest addition to his collection, an item that would take him on a journey no one could anticipate.
  
  So, Chaumont is the proud owner of this intriguing gentleman’s portrait, which he believes exhibits an uncanny resemblance to him. He immerses himself into researching its history and as his curiosity grows he neglects his wife further. As he gazes at the portrait as one would see their reflection in a mirror, any understanding they previously had regarding his hobby abruptly splutters to a halt.
  
  The Portrait prompts a catalyst of impulsive behaviour, if somewhat humorously unethical at times, offering a lesson of how our destiny is not shaped by our name alone, and that contentment can be found if only we have the courage to set ourselves free.
  
  Warning: There is every possibility that you will inhale this book in one brief and wonderful sitting. My copy arrived today and I couldn't resist!
  
• 
  Christopher Everest

  A strange little book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and from the notes at the back of the book I read that this was, in fact, the first book that Antoine Laurain wrote. I don't think it was quite as successful or as complex as The Red Notebook, French Rhapsody, or The President's Hat but it had his usual beautifully synchronised prose style where the events shadow either fate or coincidence and it is the reader who gets to decide. I like that. It feels like there is a space within the story for me. After all the central character is a collector with a touch of the obsessive about him.... Now where do I know someone like that ? A fine book - I read it on Kindle so I might have to purchase a paper copy for my library (aka Book Collection). Will they all fit in my shed ?