Julian Barnes' "The Limner" (short story, non-genre, free)

James Wadsworth is a deaf & mute painter, on a 5-day contract to make a canvas portrait of Mr Tuttle, a "collector of customs" & a despicable man. Story is of James' experiences in Tuttle household during the assignment. Mostly a light reading.

Most interesting thing I found about this story is a perspective on the way people once looked upon their portraits, at least in some societies. And of the art itself.

I'm not sure of the period the story is set in or location. But it's obviously before the camera came on the scene. And in a country where dollar is the currency. And during a period where $12 in local currency were fair wages for a 5-day contract of this nature, horses are normal personal transport & people have stables rather than garages.

Fact sheet.

First published: The New Yorker, 5 January 2009.
Rating: A.
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