Artifice

By: Eric Bickernicks

Narrated by: Eric Bickernicks

Length: 5 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Would you like a couch with that painting?

Obscurity is a way of life for Gavin Vonn Getch, a painter who works at a frame shop in a small New England town. His life changes when billionaire Gary Eastman enters his shop and becomes the ultimate patron: a lifetime commission for all his work in exchange for a crap-load of money.

Some of his artist buddies envy him and others think he's sold out. Curious as to where his paintings are being displayed, he makes a trip to the DLC headquarters, where a shocking discovery forces him to reevaluate his deal with Eastman and his identity as an artist.

Why does an artist create? What alternatives are there to completely selling out? Is there no genius - only marketing? The book is a satirical and sometimes surreal look at the art world.

The book is read by the author, along with 40 different voice actors for each of the different characters. This is not a radio drama, there are no annoying sound effects or distracting background ambiance. The dialogue in the animated book trailer was created from this audiobook.

Watch the animated book trailer on Youtube!

©2016 Eric Bickernicks (P)2017 Eric Bickernicks

Audio book that read like a movie

This was one of the coolest audio books I've ever heard for a couple of reasons.

First, the author got a hold of about 40 different voice actors to play the different characters, so that every time a different character spoke, it was actually someone different. This was unlike a recording where it's done with a full "theatrical cast performance" blah blah like some of the Star Treks I've heard (which I loved!), but instead it was a normal audio book except that when it was anyone but the narrator talking, you get the actual character voice. Original and cool, and like nothing I've ever heard. Some of the author's voice actor friends had crappy bathrooms to do their recordings, but those were only a few and I tried to gloss over that because the overall concept was so original that it's unfair to be nit-picky

So that alone makes it worth the price of the book, or a book credit.

Next, the author Eric Bickernicks (who has such a weird last name that I will from now on choose to be on a first name basis with him) writes in such a visual style, you can imagine everything that happens quite easily. An example is a scene at an art show in a gallery where a crazy artist lights a piece of art on fire and holds it high over his head as he starts to pontificate in an art gallery, when all the fire prevention sprinklers go off. The art artists start scrambling around, trying to preserve their precious works of art, and Eric does a great job describing this chaos in a way that's both easy to envision, but also hilarious and realistic.

This story centers around a starving artist and the art world, and even pokes fun at the kind of art I've never understood, like when someone calls a couple of squares on a canvas "art" even though it literally took 45 seconds to paint and zero talent. I like that Eric didn't take himself or the art scene so seriously that he wasn't able to laugh or poke fun at it or himself/his character, who is an artist.

Eric's voice has an east coast, and non-unpleasantly nasal quality that I found charming after not very long. At first I wondered why the author narrated his own story, and then I got why: no one else could possibly have done justice to a story this quirky and funny except the man who wrote it - only *he* knew just where to put the emphasis and the snark.

I won't spoil the story, but will instead beg you to go into this story pretty cold and without much more knowledge than I just gave you. The main dude is a starving artist who catches a break. That's all you need to know. Now just sit back and enjoy this fun ride. And even though I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for this unbiased review, I can only hope that you may also find yourself wishing your commute or workout was longer, as I did when I was listening. Highly recommended.

Make sure you have Key Lime Pie for this!

What did you love best about Artifice?

I enjoyed the psy-comedic thriller of Gavin's attempt to outwit the DLC Group.

What other book might you compare Artifice to and why?

The dark comedy reminds me of the black-and-white PI detective stories. But this is completely modern age and technology.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I didn't care for their vacation to Florida; but it came together in the plot as well as for developing and solidifying Gavin and Linda's relationship.

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful and easy to listen to audiobook! I also downloaded the book, for times when it was more fitting to read than listen. Or to review a chapter because I missed something. Which goes to show - this book is filled with lots of characters, all whom have a role and story to be told. So EVERYTHING is important; there are no fillers and fluff!
I really really really (have I said really enough?) hope this author gives us more dark pleasant books like this!

I wasn't crazy about the final chapters and really hoped for something somewhat different (instead of the beach party) but would give the story 4.5 stars, if I could. Overall, it's a solid 5 to recommend!!

I review all book and audiobooks, but am happy to admit: "I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Love the sarcasm

I always love a book with so much dark humor and sarcasm. Brilliant little book. Loved the writing style. Wonderful narration, I really enjoyed it.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Humorous Black Comedy!

Struggling artist Gavin Vonn Getch thinks he’s hit Easy Street when a billionaire offers to become his benefactor as long as everything he paints goes directly to him. Sounds like a sweet deal until Gavin finds out that his paintings are meeting an undignified end!

This audiobook is fantastic! It’s dark humor combined with mystery. I can’t recall the last time an audiobook made me laugh out loud so many times, It’s that funny! The character Gavin has a dry sense of humor that I adored. All the characters in this audiobook are memorable and Gavin’s interactions with them are hysterical.

Throughout this nearly 6-hour audiobook, I was wondering how this story was going to play out. It kept you guessing until the end.

I’m not a fan of author’s narrating their own works, but Eric Bickernicks totally nails this reading. His narration was completely engaging and I can’t imagine any narrator doing a better job than he did.

I hope this won’t be the last I hear from Mr. Bickernicks. He has a real talent for storytelling. This audiobook deserves to be heard. Artifice will surely increase your happiness quotient.

This audiobook was received in exchange for an unbiased review!

Artifice Was a Gem of a Story

ARTIFICE was such a gem of an audiobook. As an artist, this book was total ear candy for me. While this was a satirical book about the artworld and the artists who live in it, it was still pretty much right about how it is at times. At first I wasn't sure if Gavin was a serious artist but he was indeed. He scored a good gig for Gary Eastman doing commissions but I was thinking 'Nooo, don't sign a lifetime contract'.

The story was fantastic and the characters, espacially Gavin and Linda) were awesome. All the supporting characters voices were so fun. In fact, this audiobook was like a painting full of vibrant colors. I hope Eric Bickernicks writes more awesome stories like this one.

I love that the author narrated his own book. He was exactly PERFECT for Gavin. Along with that the other forty guest voices were incredibly cool. I can't wait to see and hear what he does next. Definitely recommended. Two words: More please!

"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

How much to destroy your life's work?

An artist must suffer for the work. Most artists will Never achieve world renowned fame. Those that do will not usually be recognized for their genius until after they are dead. So when an amateur artist who runs a gallery licks into a merry I f and a private commission for his works it a dream come true. Or is it? The artist finds out what's being done to his work and he isn't happy. To what lengths will
He go? What is his breaking point? And what happens after an artist snaps? The author tells at the very end how he done up with the idea to write this story and it is a perfect innocuous moment that created a wonderful story. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Interesting concept

I'm so glad I listened to this audiobook. It's completely different from anything that I have ever read. The topic didn't interest me as much as I thought it would; however, I was able to relate it back to my life someway--asking the question "what does it mean to be a sell-out?"

I really enjoyed the performances in the audiobook. On top of Bickernicks who performed the main lead, we listened to 40 other voices whose tones, interest in the story, and voice acting skill were tremendous.

There were a few moments I was confused by--1. Some voices did not match the character 2. the production level was not high--most guest actors sounded as if they were using cellphone to record their voices.