What a bunch of rogues! Really there's no one we should like, but, well, we like them. A prig, a forger, a liar, a schemer, a double-crosser, gossipy servants, and a plot that's almost too silly. What fun! My copy. ( )

Interessant, wie hinter der Fassade des ehrbaren Kunstsachverständigen die Abgründe lauern; raffiniert, wie er gelinkt werden soll und die Betrüger austrickst ( )

Martin Suter came to prominence as a writer of Zurich Yuppie tales. This time, he attempts a Buddenbrooks-like portrait of old money but fails. This starts with improper details of old money life such as misspelling 'foie gras', a mistaken tone (The mismatched transfer of swear words from Swiss-German into German has inappropriately increased the text's vulgarity.) and ends with a gentle, bloodless and boring main character who basically throws money at people and problems. The book focusses on food, restaurants, bars and interior decoration, a Yuppie superficiality and insecurity which craves for external feedback. Only the (non old money) minor characters sparkle from time to time but ultimatively remain clichés (a failed artist, a broken model, a motherly housekeeper, ...) in a predictable plot with a weak ending. Acceptable for summer reading but hardly great literature. I expect Adrian Weynfeldt himself would receive the book as a gift ("it's about art dealers") and then be trapped in an awkward social obligation of having to read it. ( )