---
product_id: 5522096
title: "The Portrait Paperback – April 4, 2006"
brand: "iain pears"
price: "£16.81"
currency: GBP
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/5522096-the-portrait-paperback-april-4-2006
store_origin: GB
region: United Kingdom
---

# The Portrait Paperback – April 4, 2006

**Brand:** iain pears
**Price:** £16.81
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Portrait Paperback – April 4, 2006 by iain pears
- **How much does it cost?** £16.81 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/5522096-the-portrait-paperback-april-4-2006)

## Best For

- iain pears enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted iain pears brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Full description not available

## Images

![The Portrait Paperback – April 4, 2006 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Lj5SFa6eL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    The Portrait by Iain Pears
  

*by N***I on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 23, 2014*

I bought 'The Portrait' a few months ago and just finished it today.  I had never read Pears, although I also bought 'Stone's Fall' and 'An Instance of the Fingerpost.'  I put off reading all of them maybe, since I was't familiar with Pears, I just wasn't in a hurry.  Turns out I was enthralled with the story.  There are overtones of Wilde and Poe -- you'll know what I mean if you've read them all --  and a hint of Jamesion description concerning the artistic set.The story is told from the POV of the narrator, a disenchanted artist, who has been living in isolation off the coast of France for four years.  A famous art critic and friend of the narrator has asked to have the narrator paint his portrait.  During the sitting, the narrator recalls their past as he, an ambitious but poor young Scot, was mentored by the critic, as well as their shared participation in the glittering art salons of London. During the days, as he paints his friend's portrait, the narrator reminisces about the critic's power toruin reputations with a sardonic review or a critical word to the cognoscenti.  As the portrait progresses, the reader learns more about the narrator and the dark side of the London art world.  Why did the artist agree to paint the critic and why did he exile himself at the peak of a successful career? A number of characters who had affected the two men's lives heighten the interest andhelp flesh out the history of both men.  No spoiler here, but the end is "interesting."  I recommend this novel strongly.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Excellent copy.
  

*by C***Y on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 22, 2023*

The book will be gifted to an artist; Animal Crackers ... your book will have a good home.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A Perfect Treasure
  

*by Q***S on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 15, 2022*

Literary jewels are as rare as ammolite. This one is an ingenious conversation for one, in which an entire artistic life is revealed in all its components: creativity, talent, love, jealousy, friendship...and worse. I recommend it for all ages, and suggest it be studied by those who are touched by Francis de Sales, patron saint of writers and journalists.

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---

*Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom*
*Store origin: GB*
*Last updated: 2026-05-15*