Turner’s Paintbox (Paul Morgan, read by Humphrey Bower, Bolinda Publishing, $29.95 audiobook, 6 CDs, ISBN
9781742011547, December) ****

Paul Morgan’s first novel The Pelagius Book drew comparisons from some reviewers to the work of David Malouf. His second, Turner’s Paintbox, published earlier this year by Viking, is a more conventional story set in contemporary Sydney. Gerard Moyne is an art consultant who is on a steady trajectory to international success and wealth. The novel, told as Gerard’s memoir, traces the story of his relationship with the great love of his life, Julia, and how he brought about its destruction. Julia is everything Gerard is not: sensual, vibrant, gregarious. The novel does not really bring a great deal that is new to the themes of opposites attracting and of coming to despise in one’s lover what first drew you to them. However the writing is stylish while staying true to Gerard’s voice, with many deeply satisfying passages. Woven into the story are Gerard’s almost lecture-like accounts of the life and work of the great English painter J M W Turner, who successfully combined art and commerce, talent and passionate relationships, in stark contrast to Gerard himself. This unabridged audio version is read excellently and at a perfect pace by actor Humphrey Bower, who won the prestigious Audie (US) for his performance of Bryce Courtenay’s The Family Frying Pan. This elegant and engaging novel is well suited for audio presentation.

Kevin Mark is the publisher relations manager for Thorpe-Bowker and a former publisher for HarperCollins

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2007, Thorpe-Bowker