The Masterpiece is an epic story covering Paris in two time lines: 1923 and 1943-1946. In 1923 Katerina, a Russian emigree, is a brilliant although as yet unacknowledged artist; Max and Serge have ambitions of becoming established dealers in highest quality art; Madeleine, Katerina’s friend, having run away from her upper class family, is working as a singer; Efron Archer, an Errol Flynn-like character, is part of the story at this point.
Paris in 1943 is firstly occupied by the Italians, but then comes the full horror of German occupation. To this day ownership of paintings looted by the Germans from European homes is still being contested with the aim of restoration to the descendants of original owners.
The Masterpiece is about the almost unimaginable world in which people found their previously purposeful, meaningful lives torn apart and the struggle for survival, without losing their humanity and compassion, became paramount. Katerina, Max and Serge bring that time to life.
In 1946 Eve Archer has left Australia and is living in Paris. She has come with the purpose of finding Serge Lavertu. The most important part of this epic story involves Eve, her connections to Serge, Madeleine, Katerina and Max, amid the chaos of France’s restoration and the rush for justice and punishment for alleged crimes committed through the war years, while currently corruption and cover ups are putting the outcome of true justice in jeopardy.
This is a book you can sink your teeth into. It keeps alive a history which must never be forgotten.
Thank you Belinda Alexandra for your gracious gift of a copy of The Masterpiece.
Published by Harper Collins
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