"THE PAINTER," by Peter Heller, Alfred A. Knopf, $24.95, 384 pages (f)
Life can be like a painting. Beautiful, artistic and, sometimes, unfinished.
Peter Heller’s “The Painter” tells the story of Jim Stegner, a notable and famous artist who runs into trouble with the law after he murders a cruel man. As Stegner heads down to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to hide out and fufill a debt, he’s caught in an investigative mess. And it leads to more murders.
Heller does great work with this novel. Stegner, despite his flaws, is a very sympathetic character and anti-hero — an artistic version of Walter White from “Breaking Bad.” He’s sorry for the acts he commits and never embraces himself as a cold-blooded killer. He understands his actions were wrong, and he wants to correct them. And given his history — his daughter dying, his wife leaving him — his path of corruption is fully understandable.
Stegner’s supporting cast isn’t bad either. Heller does a great job of giving each side character importance by putting them in scenes that develop their own back stories and importance.
But the problem with Heller’s work is that the ending leaves so much to be desired. There is barely any semblance of a complete resolution for the characters. In fact, the story ends seconds after a climactic battle, leaving character story arcs unfinished and a lack of consequences for the murders.
The only saving grace the ending has is that it’s very reflective of life: People don’t always see the ending coming, and they don’t know exactly what’ll come next.
This book contains heavy adult language, sexual scenes and mature themes.
If you go ...
What: Peter Heller book signing
When: Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com, peterheller.net
Note: Places in the signing line are reserved for those who purchase a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Email: hscribner@deseretdigital.com
Twitter: herbscribner