Now Read This: ‘The Improbability of Love’ by Hannah Rothschild

If you’re looking for a good summer read, I would highly recommend “The Improbability of Love” by Hannah Rothschild. It has love, murder, deception, art and food all rolled into one great story. It reminded me of the Pulitzer Prize winner “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt in that the story revolves around a famous painting.

This novel gives us a glimpse into the world of famous art and its buyers. The main character, Annie McDee, buys an old painting, “The Improbability of Love,” in a junk shop and, unbeknown to her, it has quite the history. The author gives the painting its own voice, which helps the reader discover that history. As the novel progresses, we are introduced to several interesting characters who each have an interest in finding the painting for their own reasons. Food is introduced through Annie, who is trying to break into the catering world by offering the unique service of matching the dining experience to a particular work of art. All of these unique characters add humor and intrigue to the story.

This is the author’s second published work, but her first novel. Rothschild, as a trustee for the National Gallery of London and the liaison trustee for the Tate Gallery, has the perfect background to write a novel revolving around the art world. Her first book is a biography of her great aunt, titled, “The Baroness: The Search for Nica, the Rebellious Rothschild.” I haven’t read “The Baroness,” but the synopsis in the online catalog record makes her sound like quite the interesting woman.

There are a number of you readers out there who tell me you enjoy these reviews. First, thank you for your kind words and, second, if you’re ever wandering around the library wondering where to find a good read, check out the “Library Picks” on one of the low shelves in the “River” section. These are titles that library staff members recommend, and they cover a variety of genres.

And, don’t forget that with summer comes two things: a greater need for audio books to go with vacation’s long car rides, and the adult summer reading club. The latter, with the possibility of winning an e-reader, gives you a little extra incentive to keep reading. This year’s theme is “Exercise Your Mind. Read.” Couldn’t we all do with a little more exercise?

Happy readings!


About Betty

Betty Martin is director of the Cape Girardeau Public Library.