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Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger Audiobook
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(3.03) - 311 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The true story of America's greatest art forger! Ten years ago, an FBI investigation was about to expose a scandal in the art world that would have been front-page news in New York and London. After a trail of fake paintings of astonishing quality led federal agents to art dealers, renowned experts, and the major auction houses, the investigation inexplicably ended, despite an abundance of evidence collected. The case was closed and the FBI file was marked "exempt from public disclosure." Now that the statute of limitations on these crimes has expired and the case appears hermetically sealed shut by the FBI, this audiobook, Caveat Emptor, is that artist Ken Perenyi's confession. It is the story, in detail, of how he pulled it all off. Unlike other forgers, Perenyi produced no paper trail, no fake provenance whatsoever; he let the paintings speak for themselves. And that they did, routinely mesmerizing the experts in mere seconds.
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"Fabulously entertaining and full of detail about how he pulled off more than 30 years of forgeries, Perenyi illuminates the world of art dealers, collectors, and auction houses in a way that will most likely make you not feel quite so bad for those people who bought his works, believing they were authentic. Great photos in the book, and an envious description of a rollicking lifestyle in New York, Miami, and London from the late 60s onward."
— Kasandra (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“By his own admission, Ken Perenyi is a liar, a cheat, and a thief—but to give him his due, he is also pretty brilliant…His astonishing memoir, Caveat Emptor, is by turns horrifying and hilarious…One hesitates to praise an unrepentant wrongdoer’s autobiography—innocent teenagers contemplating career options should not be allowed near this book—but anybody with the slightest interest in painting or deception will find Caveat Emptor an engrossing read.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Even if you know nothing about fine art, Dan Butler’s superb performance will bring this complex and sometimes shady world to life. His sensitive delivery of Ken Perenyi’s poignant memoir of life as a liar and thief makes it hard not to like this consummate scam artist in spite of it all…Butler’s easy reading style carries the narrative flawlessly, with occasional forays into excitement and danger where the going get tight for Perenyi. At those points he ratchets up the emotional wattage just enough to keep you on the edge. This is a thoroughly competent delivery using only Butler’s native voice—but what a voice.”
— AudioFile -
“The most fascinating parts of his account are his meticulous descriptions of the forging process…A captivating story rich in illuminating details.”
— Booklist -
“Perenyi channels Holden Caulfield with his forthright, unadorned prose style and straightforward accounts of his past exploits…The details of Perenyi’s forgeries are fascinating, as is the development of his artistic though duplicitous techniques.”
— Library Journal -
“Readers will be captivated as they follow the development of this remarkable talent over a forty-year career.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Caveat Emptor Listener Reviews
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sez Jooste, 9/6/2022
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" Caveat Emptor is a quirky tale about Ken Perenyi's experience as an art forger who passed off dozens? hundreds? of paintings as originals. The book begins with some over-telling about his youth that really doesn't connect with the meat of the story--his art forging experience. The first half of the book could be summed up as he was a disengaged youth, unsure of what to do with his life until he happened upon art forgery. The second half of the book reads more as arrogant boasting than truthful story telling. While I still found the story compelling, I wonder how much is truth and how much is an embellishment of the truth. "
— Beth, 2/18/2014 -
" Could be a how to book to forge paintings. I am amazed at the speed he painted his detailed paintings! "
— Gail, 2/5/2014 -
" I gave it a 3 star because i enjoy books on art, art forgery, history etc. but agree with Scott's review. It seems as if two people wrote this book. I also found the Roy Cohen part fascinating. Questions that are left unanswered: is there really this much art forgery in the world? Why didn't the feds prosecute him? Why drop the case? "
— Lou, 1/23/2014 -
" fascinating, forging a form of flattery! "
— Brian, 1/12/2014 -
" I couldn't even finish it because it felt like precious time was being wasted that could have been spent reading something better. The guy writes as if everything in his life happened to him, not by the choices he made, but by the choices of those around him and the circumstances he came into. He's so busy pointing out the flaws in others that he spends no time giving himself any sort of personality. He tries to come across as passive in the path he took towards who he became and I just don't buy it. It was a boring read, so unengaging and wooden that reading a high school history text would have been more fun and less pocked with obvious bias. I was so excited to read this and came away very disappointed. "
— Alienman, 1/12/2014 -
" I didn't like how he bragged about pulling off such a huge lie, but I must admit that his life is pretty interesting and it's worth the read. "
— Isabel, 1/5/2014 -
" Fascinating tale of a master art forger. Art History majors take note. "
— Melissa, 12/26/2013 -
" Really neat look into the life art forger. Enjoyed it very much. "
— Aaron, 12/24/2013 -
" I just could not finish this book. It is way too involved with the author's personal agenda, and his understanding of right and wrong leaves me cold. "
— Jane, 12/15/2013 -
" Poorly-written but beautifully-told and about something with which I am endlessly fascinated: forgery. As told by the art-forger himself, Ken Perenyi. Told from the 1st person by an unreliable narrator, himself, but it transported me to NY and the UK in the 60s, 70s, and 80s -- as if I were there. "
— Chris, 12/9/2013 -
" The book reads like a novel most of the time. A really good read. "
— Rick, 8/14/2013 -
" Book is excellent, very compelling--but it occurs to me that as a master forger his story may be "embellished". Still an excellent read! "
— Mimi, 3/30/2013 -
" an easy read and interesting story about art stuff "
— Carolin, 3/17/2013 -
" I am embarrassed to admit that I have read this book and even more upset that I put money into the pocket of the author, who I found to be an amoral, unrepentant, self-deluding sleaze. Now, excuse me while I go shower. "
— Peregrina651, 12/20/2012 -
" Good inside info on the art world. "
— Ken, 12/12/2012 -
" Fast paced. Easy read. Entertaining, true story about a man who falls into the world of art and art forging. "
— Dale, 12/10/2012 -
" I learned more about art conservation from this book than some classes I've taken. "
— Julie, 9/21/2012
About Ken Perenyi
Ken Perenyi was one of the world’s greatest art forgers for more than thirty years, only barely eluding a heavy prison sentence at the end of his covert career. He currently runs an art gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he still produces some of the most remarkable forgeries in the world.
About Dan Butler
Dan Butler, audiobook narrator, actor, writer, director, and producer, has had major roles on and off Broadway and has appeared in numerous television shows, including Frasier, House, and Monk. He cowrote and directed Karl Rove, I Love You and has appeared in such feature films as Crazy, Stupid, Love; Silence of the Lambs; Enemy of the State; and Fixing Frank, among others.