The Art Forger

The Art Forger (2013) by B.A. Shapiro. Anyone with an interest in art, especially in Degas, should get a kick out of this book. It tells the story of Claire Roth, a young artist who is hired by a powerful gallery owner to copy what he believes to be a stolen Degas -- although Roth is convinced that it is a forgery. Shapiro knows her Degas, and she convinced me that she knows a good deal about art forgery. The book interweaves history with fiction to produce a fascinating look at the world of artists, galleries, and collectors of art. I would recommend it to anyone with a curious mind and even the slightest interest in art. Grade: B+