Every character was thoroughly unlikeable. It was compelling enough to finish, but wasn't particularly memorable.

An entertaining, wry, and expertly narrated tale of dysfunction. A recommended purchase for collections where lit fic is popular.

This book is well-written, but it’s an absolutely infuriating read. Lucia is a well-regarded artist, but the biggest thing in her life, before her art, her well-being, or her children, is being a wife to her (unsuccessful) artist husband. She develops cancer, discovers her husband has been cheating, begins an affair with a female MP, but none of this leads anywhere. Lucia will always be berated by her husband (Ray) and turn down opportunities because of his professional jealousy.
All of Lucia’s children are also emotionally abused by their father in some way, and they carry this submissive dynamic into relationships with their partners.
The book sort of took a comical route, every character is so over the top. But I couldn’t lean into the hilarity of the situation (missing that your wife is cheating because you think she’s conspiring to ruin your non-existent career) because Ray is just so abusive constantly.

I was not impressed by this book at all. When I read the blurb for this book, I seriously thought it was a mystery of some kind. I guess I read too much into what was there. I was waiting and waiting for something to happen, but I was disappointed. I guess the only thing that really "happened" was the art exhibit opening.

The only character I halfway liked was Lucia Hanrahan, Ray's long-suffering wife. She could've been a truly wonderful character in the right book. I also met one of the most disgusting characters I've ever encountered, Ray Hanrahan himself. What a revolting individual!

I wish this could've been a more positive review, but I still would like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The family, friends, and influential art people gather at the Hanrahans' house in North London to witness Ray Hanrahan's big comeback. The long weekend is when his new exhibition will hopefully secure his place in the art world as a painter. Yet, ironically, this is also the weekend when his wife, Lucia, a sculptor, receives excellent news from her gallery art critic – something that may change her life. She decides to hide this from her husband not to upset him.

"The Exhibitionist" by Charlotte Mendelson started for me as a good satire of the art world, especially the comparison of women's and men's roles in art. There are many examples when a woman artist is overshadowed in marriage by her husband. As mentioned in the novel,"Artists need wives." However, it may be true that "Artists don't need husbands," not the husbands depicted in Ray. He is highly self-centered, throws tantrums like a spoiled child, blames others for his failures, and shows no interest or empathy for other people's problems, not even if it concerns his wife or children. His daughter Leah adores him to the point of obsession and guards him against everything that could upset "the genius." His stepson, Patrick, a man with mental problems magnified by ridicule and criticism, lives in a van in Ray and Lucia's garden. Jenn, another daughter, managed to escape to another city to free herself from her father, but now she's back and realizes that her mother is "beyond saving."

"The Exhibitionist," longlisted for the 2022 Women's Prize, is heralded as funny, but it was almost painful for me to observe Ray's impact on everybody in his family. Gradually, I became annoyed by Lucia's compliance to withstand her husband's constant verbal abuse. The characters are one-dimensional, with Ray as a typical villain. However, the novel's language is excellent, with witty metaphors and skillful mirroring of how family members speak, interrupting and not coming to conclusions. By the end of the weekend, we can only hope that Lucia has enough willpower to realize that she has to protect –and save - herself and not her husband.

There is a difference between someone being detestable vs. actually detesting them….

Book Information

Charlotte Mendelson's novel, "The Exhibitionist," is set to be published on July 4, 2023, with a page count of 304. The audio version, narrated by Juliet Stevenson, spans 9 hours and 48 minutes.

This highly anticipated novel has already been named The Times (UK) Novel of the Year and has been listed as a Best Book of the Year by The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Sunday Times (UK). Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.

Summary

The Hanrahans are a family in turmoil. Ray, the famous artist, is a notorious egoist. His wife, Lucia, is a talented artist in her own right, but she has always put her family first. Their children, Leah, Patrick, and Jess, are all struggling with their own issues. Leah is beautiful and successful, but she is also insecure and deeply unhappy. Patrick is sensitive and artistic, but he is struggling to find his place in the world. Jess is the youngest and doesn’t really feel at home with her family anymore.

The Hanrahans are gathered for a momentous weekend. Ray is preparing for a new exhibition of his art, the first in many years. He is determined to make this exhibition a success, and he is hoping that it will finally win him the recognition he craves. But the weekend is not going to be easy. The Hanrahans are a family with a lot of secrets, and as the weekend unfolds, those secrets will start to come to light.

My Thoughts

"The Exhibitionist" left me with mixed emotions. The story started slowly, and the plot was initially confusing, but it gradually gained momentum. The narrative was engaging for a while, but it ultimately failed to deliver the payoff I had been hoping for. The book, much like the TV series Seinfeld, appears to be about very little. Although it is billed as a comedy, I didn't find it humorous.

While I had some mixed feelings about a few of the characters, I was primarily irritated by their lack of assertiveness in dealing with Ray's obnoxious behavior, bullying, and tantrums. The main character, Ray, was so detestable that it detracted from my enjoyment of the book. While I appreciate a character who is unlikable, it was difficult to stomach Ray's behavior to the point that I became physically annoyed whenever he spoke. I longed for someone, anyone, to stand up to him and put him in his place, but the other characters merely tolerated him. Although "The Exhibitionist" built up a lot of tension, the ending was anti-climactic, with too many loose ends left untied.

On the plus side, Juliet Stevenson, the narrator, did an excellent job of giving voice to a wide range of characters. Mendelson is a skilled writer, and her use of metaphors was impressive. My issues with the book were not related to the quality of the writing, but rather with a story that failed to resonate with me. However, other readers may have different opinions, as the book has received high ratings from many people.

Recommendation

This book may appeal to those who enjoy stories centered around dysfunctional families with numerous characters and plotlines. It has garnered awards and praise from many readers. However, despite its accolades, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Rating

2.5 Spineless Stars

Title: The Exhibitionist
Author: Charlotte Mendelson

In "The Exhibitionist" by Charlotte Mendelson, readers are presented with an intriguing story that is both well-written and frustrating in equal measure. Mendelson's literary prowess is evident throughout the novel, and her ability to craft intricate sentences and vivid descriptions is commendable. The prose is engaging, and there are moments when the story truly shines, capturing the reader's attention and imagination.

However, despite the commendable writing style, "The Exhibitionist" struggles with some notable flaws. One of the most prominent issues lies in the characterization of the novel's well-educated protagonists. Their actions and decisions throughout the narrative are often implausible and can come across as profoundly misguided, which may leave some readers feeling frustrated.

The novel's strength lies in its unique and captivating storyline. However, the constant frustration brought on by the characters' questionable behavior can detract from the overall enjoyment of the book. Mendelson clearly put a great deal of effort into crafting the story, but unfortunately, it is not enough to fully redeem the novel.

While the writing is undoubtedly skillful, it would have been beneficial for Mendelson to give her readers more credit. By developing characters who are more believable and whose actions align with their intelligence, the story could have been more cohesive and enjoyable. It's important for authors to trust that their audience can discern nuanced narratives and appreciate multifaceted characters.

In conclusion, "The Exhibitionist" offers a well-written and unique story that is marred by its flawed characterization. While there is certainly merit to Mendelson's writing, the novel would benefit from more believable character development. For readers who can overlook these frustrations, there is still enjoyment to be found in this novel. However, for those who find it difficult to suspend disbelief, "The Exhibitionist" may prove to be a challenging read.

This one wasn't for me and that is perfectly okay. I'm not much of an all over the place narrative reader, especially if it's on audiobook. perhaps if I had a physical copy that I was able to follow along with, that would be a better circumstance, but unfortunately, I just wasn't able to get into this one.