The Connoisseur A Novel
The Connoisseur by Evan S. Connell, published by Catapult on November 22, 2005, is a novel that explores the profound impact of art on an individual’s life. This 208-page work delves into the journey of Muhlbach, an insurance executive whose casual interest in pre-Columbian figurines transforms into a consuming obsession during a business trip in Taos, New Mexico. Connell captures the nuances of Muhlbach’s fascination, illustrating how a simple encounter in a curio shop leads to a deeper exploration of identity and desire.
Readers will find a detailed portrayal of Muhlbach’s evolving relationship with art, as his initial curiosity spirals into a fixation that alters his perception of the world around him. The narrative examines themes of obsession and the psychological complexities that accompany a newfound passion. Through Connell’s clear and engaging prose, the story reveals how a singular interest can reshape one’s actions and worldview, inviting reflection on the nature of obsession and the transformative power of art.
Official synopsis Publisher
Acclaimed author Evan S. Connell sends us through the complete experience of a man initially intrigued and then enslaved by art: a curious interest, a rapt fixation, and the becoming of a connoisseur. The Connoisseur trails the evolution of Muhlbach, an insurance executive on a business trip in Taos, New Mexico, who develops an obsession with pre–Columbian figurines after meandering through a curio shop. Entranced yet bewildered by his sudden affinity for a little figurine, Muhlbach succumbs to his intrigue and, thirty dollars later, begins his journey as a connoisseur.
With superb delivery and subtle clarity, Connell allows us to see and feel Muhlbach’s emerging mania, with its impending tension and sudden exhilaration. He illustrates how a new fixation alters our lens on life and shapes our actions.
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