Review: The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone

The Unfinished Life of Addison StoneThe Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is strongly modeled on one of my favorite books of all time Edie: American Girl. You would think that would mean I *wouldn't* like this one, but, happily, I LOVED IT!

Addison Stone is a charismatic, beautiful, artistically talented, driven, original, schizophrenic girl from Rhode Island who breaks out due to her artistic talent, and takes the New York art world by storm. She's in all the tabloids, dates famous guys, stages artistic stunts that get lots of attention, develops her talent, is exhibited at the Whitney Biennial.... She's a wunderkind. This kind of person that art dealers, sons of famous people, and others hang onto for perks, influence, and income. The kind of person who everyone thinks is in control.

The truth is she's not in control and her highs, lows, and hallucinations/communications with a ghost drive her to her death.

The novel is presented as nonfiction, complete with reproductions of her paintings and candid photos. We piece the story together from first person interviews with the people in her life: art dealers, boyfriends, friends, hangers on, parents, brothers, teachers. The story is kind of thriller because we're trying to figure out what happened the night of Addison's death. To me, that aspect of the novel was secondary to the story of Addison's life.


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