The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager is a lovely and inventive story about an art museum janitorial worker, Claire, who has the magical ability to jump into the paintings. I really wanted to love this but I found the writing to be so simple that it didn’t match the concept of the story. I wanted more! That being said, it was a perfectly entertaining reading - I just didn’t feel anything (and I wanted to!). I think many readers will enjoy this and I commend the author on creating such a creative debut. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and the world within the museum was created beautifully.

Morgan Pager brings art to life in such a magical way with The Art of Vanishing. A romance whirlwind develops between a museum janitor and a man... inside a famous art painting. When Claire figures out that she has the ability to jump into the paintings and enter a new world filled of iconic figures in paintings, she finds herself falling into an intimate relationship with Jean, the son of Henri Matisse, who lives in "The Music Lesson."

The Art of Vanishing has beautifully drawn out characters and a page-turning plot. Excellent read for museum lovers and artists!

this felt a little insta-lovey to me and the characters felt flat. I was intrigued by the story but also a bit bored.

What It’s About

Sad, reclusive Frenchman Jean Matisse has been stuck—literally—for over a century, a snapshot of his 19-year-old self frozen in one of his famous father’s paintings. His days are spent sitting very still, wistfully watching museum visitors and re-reading the same book on repeat (le sigh). While his fellow painted companions get up to nightly shenanigans (think Harry Potter portraits meets Night at the Museum), Jean prefers to keep to himself, reflecting on his lonely existence.

That is, until Claire—a beautiful and mysterious janitor with Secrets™️—starts working the night shift. Turns out Claire is far more observant than the other museum staff members, and notices that the painting subjects move around at night. She also has a magical touch and after ignoring the “do not touch the artwork” sign, is transported into Jean’s painting.

What follows is an enchanting love story reminiscent of Midnight in Paris (a fantastic film, despite its problematic director—again, le sigh). Jean and Claire flit between paintings, exploring sunlit beaches, attending lavish parties, and embarking on whimsical adventures. But their mystical bubble doesn’t last forever, and these two lovebirds are soon forced to reckon with the realities of their own separate worlds.

My Thoughts

A lot happens in this book, and while I have plenty to say, I’m not about to spoil it for you 8 months ahead of its release date (I may be snarky, but I’m not that mean😅).

Here’s what I can say:

I loved it. This book is mystical, whimsical, and seamlessly blends genres to create a truly magical love story. (And yes, I said love story—not romance novel. There’s a distinction, and it’s subtle but important.)

Actually, make that two love stories.

The first, of course, is Jean and Claire’s. Their relationship is wholesome, tender, and so beautifully written that I was completely invested in their star-crossed romance from the get go.

The second love story is the author’s ode to museums. This book is a love letter to the way museums can transport us—offering a magical escape from the monotony of everyday life. It’s poignant, enchanting, and made me want to visit every museum in my area immediately.

This book was an absolute delight—charming, magical, and effortlessly enchanting. I was swept up in the whimsy from page one, and I’m so grateful to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

I really wanted to like this one, but it reads like a debut with stilted dialogue and a super rushed love story. Jean falls in love with Claire instantly by learning nothing about her, and Claire falls in love with Jean by looking at a painting for a few nights. I thought I was going to love this, but it wasn't my jam.

Jean is a quiet thoughtful individual that puts in 8 hours per day at the museum, he’s an expert on one page of a French novel from 1917, he’s the son of the famous painter, Henri Matisse, and oh, he lives in a painting. Claire is a young woman that begins her new job as a night shift maintenance worker at the museum, she loves the art so much that it seems to her that they’re moving…and maybe it is not just fantasy. There is the inherent danger of a human with knowledge of the paint world’s inner workings, however, Jean throws caution to the wind and breaks the barrier between the two worlds by pulling Claire into his universe. Both are in their early 20s, although Jean has been that age for over a hundred years, they both have past relationships that threaten to jeopardize this potential romance. Jean lays his heart out in the open, whilst Claire keeps her life on the outside close to her chest. Overall, I was extremely intrigued by the premise of this book and perhaps I let my expectations shade reality. It gave me Night at the Museum and Kate and Leopold vibes that made me jump at the chance to read this rom-com. However, reality and expectations seem to rarely find common ground, and I found this one to be a little disappointing.

Wow.....this one was just pure magic to read and is perfect for any art lover/museum goer out there. The concept and the writing are so unique that I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down!

The Art of Vanishing took my breath away. It's been a long time since I read a book in one sitting, but I couldn't stand not knowing what was waiting for me on the next page. Such a unique premise and Morgan Pager absolutely delivered.

The world is going to love this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC.

The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager offers an interesting premise but ultimately feels flat due to its lack of character depth and emotional engagement. The relationship between Jean and Claire, the central focus of the novel, never really comes to life. Instead of diving into their bond with any real depth, the writing skips over crucial moments that could have made their connection feel genuine and emotionally charged. There are hardly any scenes where the characters are deeply honest with each other or vulnerable, which left me feeling detached from their struggles and triumphs. It’s a missed opportunity, as the emotional core of the book could have been much stronger.

That said, the writing itself is strong, and Pager does offer a unique and thoughtful perspective on the imagined lives of subjects in works of art. The way the author weaves this theme throughout the narrative is compelling, providing an intriguing lens through which to view the characters' experiences. While the novel may lack the emotional resonance I hoped for, its intellectual angle on art and its subjects gives it a distinctive voice. Overall, I appreciated the concept, but I wanted more from the characters and their relationships to really make this a memorable read.

I could not put this one down, it was magical. The Art of Vanishing explores a thought plenty of museum goers have probably had - what would happen if we could step into the paintings we are viewing. The sweet and poignant love story that ensues is completely captivating.

As someone who has followed Morgan's journey on Instagram (including the writing process for this novel), I was really excited to read her debut! This book did not disappoint. I loved how original this story felt, with such a perfect blend of magical realism and contemporary fiction. I was rooting for Jean and Claire throughout this story - and found the ending to be so heartwarming!

This was really darling. I absolutely loved the creative plot - a cleaner (and art enthusiast) at a museum discovers she can step into the paintings. One painting by Matisse in particular catches her eye - as does the man in the painting, Matisse’s son Jean.

While I didn’t necessarily understand/feel the connection between Claire and Jean and some of the dialogue was awkward, I was engrossed in their story and concept. Recommended to anyone looking for a love letter to the everlasting power of art.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

The Art of Vanishing has a very sweet concept and Morgan Pager's joyful love for art and museums shines through. I thought that Pager did an excellent job sweeping us into the world of the art and opening up possibilities of magic in a way that brings the reader happily along. I had some quibbles with plotting and voice,. but this is sure to please many readers who are looking for a romantic book that loves love as much as it loves art.

I thought this was such a fun and unique take on the museum novel. Claire and Jean’s love story is sweet and moving, and I loved the little details of behind the scenes museum life. I would recommend this novel to any art lover, museum goer, or fan of From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

If Night at the Museum was a romance - it would be this novel.

I loved how sweet and pure the romance was, but also the growth and development the characters went through. They grew because of their relationship, and their fall was effortless and swoony.

There were multiple times throughout this book I found my self giggling or smiling to my self and at the end I was a little emotional it was over

This novel is a love letter to the arts and museums everywhere