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New

The Portrait

by Iain Pears
$8.90
The Portrait
The Portrait

Atmospheric suspense in an artist's haunting exile.

If the darker shades of human nature intrigue you, "The Portrait" is a painting in prose you won't easily forget. This novel, melding suspense with the raw elements of a rugged isle, offers more than a glimpse into an artist's world—it excavates the tumultuous relationship between an artist and his critic through a sitting that becomes a psychological battlefield. Ideal for those who appreciate a slow-burning narrative with undertones of gothic mystery.

  • CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award Nominee (2005)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
New

The Portrait

by Iain Pears
$8.90
ISBN: 9780007202775
Authors: Iain Pears
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Date of Publication: 2005-01-01
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Contemporary, Mystery/Crime/Thriller, Historical Fiction
Related Topics: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime
Goodreads rating: 3.47
(rated by 1959 readers)

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Description

A dark and disturbing novel of suspense, set at the turn of the 20th century, by the bestselling author of An Instance of the Fingerpost. The windswept isle of Houat, off the coast of Brittany, is no picturesque artists' colony. At the turn of the twentieth century, life is harsh and rustic. So why did Henry MacAlpine forsake London - where he had been fêted by critics and gallery owners, his works exhibited alongside the likes of Cezanne and Van Gogh - to make his home in this remote outpost? The truth begins to emerge when, four years into his exile, MacAlpine receives his first visitor. Influential art critic William Nasmyth has come to the island to sit for a portrait. Over the course of the sitting, the power balance between the two men shifts dramatically as the critic whose pen could anoint or destroy careers becomes a passive subject. And as the painter struggles to capture Nasmyth's true character on canvas, a story unfolds - one of betrayal, hypocrisy, forbidden love, suicide and ultimately murder. The Portrait is a darkly atmospheric, psychologically complex, macabre and chilling novel from a master storyteller.
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

Find out more about our process here.

 

Similar Reads

Atmospheric suspense in an artist's haunting exile.

If the darker shades of human nature intrigue you, "The Portrait" is a painting in prose you won't easily forget. This novel, melding suspense with the raw elements of a rugged isle, offers more than a glimpse into an artist's world—it excavates the tumultuous relationship between an artist and his critic through a sitting that becomes a psychological battlefield. Ideal for those who appreciate a slow-burning narrative with undertones of gothic mystery.

  • CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award Nominee (2005)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.