Trompe L'Oeil: A Trick of the Eye

WOW - I have just finished Trompe L'Oeil. I am just one of the hundreds of thousand girls from the 1950's & 60's that grew up loving Gardner McKay for his role as the adventurous and romantic Captain Adam Troy on Adventures in Paradise.In retrospect, was Gardner an actor? No, not really, but damn that man could write!! Gardner draws you into this amazing love story just as his character Simon draws you into his paintings. But with great talent comes a price to high for Simon to pay. His insanity leads him to destroy all of his famous works. Hiding on John Jay Street he finds the love of his life. His love for Anna takes him to Paris where he loses her. His love for her is strong enough to bring her back to him. But as greed and Interpol chase them from Paris to the south of France, Italy, the Mediterranean and finally to the Canary Islands, is his love strong enough to keep her or must he let her go?!Love, action, mystery – this story has it all. Thank you Gardner for your wonderful writing, may you Rest in Peace. Thank you Madeleine McKay for your work and dedication in bringing your husband's unpublished works to fruition so that the rest of may enjoy his work.

Trompe L'Oeil by Gardner McKay was published posthumously by his wife, Madeleine McKay. She worked tirelessly, motivated by her strong belief in his incredible talent. After completing the novel, I am indebted to her for bringing this remarkable work to us.The story concerns Simon Lister, a famous artist. While hiding out in “Tribeca West Historic District,” in 1963 Simon finds Anna, the love of his life. It is a strange meeting, but the love is reciprocated. It deepens and is so intense that the reader can almost feel it. Simon is reluctant to let his love go. He hangs on to her in a startling way. At times it is difficult to distinguish what is real.In addition to being a love story, this is also a tale with action and plenty of mystery. I was frequently on the edge of my seat as I read about the couple being pursued from the south of France, to Italy and the Mediterranean. These settings were well described and made the adventure more exciting. Ultimately Simon disappears.The author uses an interesting strategy by having two narrators. The first is a writer, who is seeking information on the infamous Mr. Lister in order to locate him. This narrator seems to be honest and credible. A journaling format provides us with a different narrative, that of Simon Lister and provides a window into his disturbed mind. These voices are very distinct.I found this book fascinating because Gardner gives us insight into the mind of an artist. He exposes the deep sentiments of lovers who do not want to part, especially in death, making us all mindful that true love has too little time. The trompe l'oeil proves to be fooling the reader into trusting the implausible and ultimately to hoping that the imagined world truly exists.Readers will not be disappointed. This book is very unique, well crafted, imaginative and a heart stopper! The author writes skillfully about what he knows. He does an excellent job. What a legacy Gardner has left.

This book is the story of a man who refuses to believe his enigmatic lover is dead. Through many twists and turns the reader realizes that they too believe that she is still alive. You simply follow the beautifully written descriptions of travel, food, locations and love. It takes you to a place you've never been, a place that doesn't exist. I was mesmerized by each chapter as it unfolded and lead me along, in belief, that this story was true, in every sense of the word.Thank you Madeleine for taking on the enormous task of making this book possible for us to enjoy.

This is the last work written by Gardner McKay. His writings are deep, meaningful, emotionally wrenching works of art. If you like John Fowles you will like McKay. Great writers are few among the masses being published. McKay is a special gift to the mind.

What a wonderful book. I am most familiar with the radio series but the book is really amazing. A great story that will have you guessing all the way to the end. If you are looking for a book you can't put down, this is the one!

Another great story by Gardner McKay. Love all his books

Have you ever been so completely absorbed by a book that you feel you are an integral character just by observation and the turning of each page?...Not able to put the thing down for fear the magic will end but at the same time knowing it is finite?...And then the moment comes....the last page and the closing of the book...and the harsh realization that it was only a very good story by a very talented writer.

Great Book.