Book Review- Molly Prentiss' Tuesday Nights in 1980

Thank you to Gallery/Scout Press for providing me with an advanced copy of Molly Prentiss' novel, Tuesday Nights in 1980, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- In her debut novel, Tuesday Nights in 1980, Molly Prentiss takes us to the vibrant art scene in New York city. Raul Engales is a young, talented painter and recent expat from Argentina, leaving behind a sister and nephew in an increasingly dangerous country. Raul meets Lucy Ollaison, a small town girl with a passion for art, who has moved to New York on a whim. James Bennett does not possess a physical talent for art, but his unique eye and perspectives have turned him into a respected art critic. In the span of one year, these characters will have their lives intersect in an unlikely way, altering their futures.

LIKE- Tuesday Nights in 1980 is a utterly surprising read. I don't want to risk spoilers, but know that it was impossible to predict the plot turns and overall story arc. Prentiss has created memorable characters that feel so much like real people. I kept forgetting that I was reading fiction, rather than a non-fiction account of the 80's art scene. To be fair, Prentiss does sprinkle the story with real people from the era. If you're knowledgable about art from that era, you'll get a kick out of the references. 

Besides creating a compelling story and rich characters, Prentiss is a stunning writer. She's the type of writer, where I really had to slow myself down to appreciate her gorgeous prose. New York City is a character, and she has a way of writing about the city that encompasses all that is wondrous, gritty, and beautiful. Besides the city, she has the art world providing great material for lush, and occasionally unusual descriptive prose. Tuesday Nights in 1980 is a visual feast. My imagination was working overtime to process it all. It's overwhelming in the best way possible.

DISLIKE- Nothing. 

RECOMMEND- Yes!!! Tuesday Nights in 1980 will be a book that everyone is talking about in 2016. Prentiss is a fantastic writer and I'm looking forward to her future works.