FICTION

De Potter's Grand Tour

by Joanna Scott
Farrar. Sept. 2014. 272p. ISBN 9780374162337. $30; ebk. ISBN 9780374710460. F
COPY ISBN
Starting with the morning on which he disappears from a boat off the coast of Greece, Scott (Follow Me) traces the life of Armand de Potter, a Belgian immigrant to Gilded Age America. Armand transforms himself from a man without money or credentials into a well-heeled and respected leader of luxury travel groups and an international antiquities dealer. Alternating between the perspective of de Potter and his wife, Aimee, and moving backward and forward in time between the 1870s and early 20th century, Scott slowly reveals the successes and failures of a man who is both more and less than he seems. Did he fall, commit suicide, or make himself disappear?
VERDICT Scott's approach may alienate readers who are lured to her book through a love of travel or those who prefer linear storytelling, but readers who stick with the author's layered narrative will find a fascinating tale of the dark side of the rags-to-riches story, a husband and wife whose reality is so convoluted that they aren't entirely known to each other or even to themselves.
Reviewed by Neil Hollands, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA , Aug 01, 2014
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

MEDIA

The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye
by Cameron, Briony
MEDIA

Summer
by Wharton, Edith
FICTION

A Dog Called Ducky
by Morgan, Amanda K. & Ducky the Yorkie
FICTION

Blood Test: A Comedy
by Baxter, Charles
FICTION

Secret Fling with the Billionaire
by Douglas, Michelle
FICTION

Holiday Under Wraps
by Mettner, Katie
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?