The Antiquarian is a very different book. Getting into the story was easy and the story is intriguing and though historical fiction, it runs true to actual history. What makes this story different is that Berend Bouters is always on step ahead (no more to be said so not to spoil anything). There are some subplots that don't necessarily make sense, however, one out of place subplot eventually makes. The ending - a sequel perhaps since it was weird? It's definitely worth a read!

I enjoyed reading Alfred Balm's The Antiquarian.

There are still many writing/language errors in the book, but beyond that there is an interesting and well-told story of a young and talented artist who, due to the circumstances of WW2, resorts to using a boat to smuggle scarce food supplies and people/refugees into and out of Germany and Belgium. As the war concluded he was being paid in valuable art works which were confiscated after the war, considered the spoils of war profiteering. Jailed and embittered, the artist hatches a plot to restore his wealth. After completing his prison sentence the artist establishes a new identity, paints new works in the style of well-known artists (Vermeer et al.) and sells them for vast sums. With the proceeds he is able to establish a new identity and an new life in Switzerland. His scheme somewhat unravels when his Italian housekeeper whose family is Sicilian mafia steals an original art work and when the Belgian police are closing in on him. The artist escapes to Germany and then, on the Hindenburg, to the US. The closing scene brings him face to face with the Sicilian housekeeper, presumably setting up a sequel, which I am eager to read.

Looking past the technical/language errors there is a good story here and a good beginning of perhaps a series.

Thanks so much to AuthorHouse and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Really enjoyed this historical fiction book about the theft of the Ghent Altarpiece during WW2. The author is businessman who later in life went to University and obtained a degree in Art History and then began his writing career. It is the story of a man who had a great artistic talent but after multiple personal tragedies had to leave art school and work as a black marketeer in WW1. After the war there is more tragedy and this leads to a career as an art forger. Very good plot and believable characters. This is one of those books that is overlooked by many readers and if you are desirous of a fascinating plot based upon a lot of historical accuracy then you will really enjoy this book. A page-turner that is both interesting and plausible. The ending is great, and I almost hope there will be a sequel to this book!

Although he's the son of a poor crofter family, young Berend Bouters has a natural talent. He's discovered by an experienced artist who finds him a position at the prestigious Art Academy of Amsterdam in early 1900. Bouters is on track to enjoy a successful career as an artist and even works alongside Mondrian during the Barbizon movement. But life throws him a curve ball in the form of the First World War. While Holland remains neutral, Berend buys a barge and begins smuggling people out and art into occupied Belgium. Unfortunately, authorities confiscate all his belongings and wealth at the end of the war. And Bouters spends two years in prison. To rebuild his fortune and find his revenge, he moves to Switzerland and adopts a new identity as Baron Fernando Del Muntanyes. He eventually steals two 15th-century panels of The Adoration of the Lamb and finds the police on his tail. But he can use his fortune to obtain passage on the Hindenberg Zeppelin. Will he be able to facilitate his successful escape from capture and reinvent himself as a respected antiquarian in America?
This book flows well and is a mostly enjoyable book to read. The art content is interesting and motivated me to learn more about the artists and pieces mentioned.
I found it interesting and confusing that the footnotes include details about the Hindenberg but not art, which is the focus of this novel.
The ending was exciting. I really enjoyed the action and suspense.

The story is of a young man's life from a young boy working on his father's farm with dreams of painting, through being an indentured sailor, a smuggler during the First World War, then a painter, forger and thief rising to being a very wealthy man with a false title. Moving on from one major theft he was forced to flee Germany then Switzerland and headed to America aboard the ill-fated Hindenburg. As a survivor in all senses of the word he made good in the states but with a sting in the tale that might open the way to a further story. Some good history and a largely well-researched story of early 20th century life. A very lucky young man methinks. As a pre-publication version I don't delete points for poor editing but there are a lot of 'where' when they should have been 'were' and similar errors plus the odd use of some works which made me wonder if the original was in a language other than English. Nevertheless, I'll look out for other books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.