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    Alena
    Alena
    Alena
    Audiobook11 hours

    Alena

    Written by Rachel Pastan

    Narrated by Carla Mercer-Meyer

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    At the Venice Biennale, an aspiring assistant curator from the Midwest meets Bernard Augustin, the wealthy, enigmatic founder of the Nauk, a cutting-edge art museum on Cape Cod. It's been two years since the tragic death of the Nauk's chief curator, Augustin's childhood friend and muse, Alena. When Augustin offers the position to our heroine (who, like du Maurier's original, remains nameless) she dives at the chance-and quickly finds herself well out of her depth.

    The Nauk echoes with phantoms of the past-a past obsessively preserved by the museum's business manager and the rest of the staff. Their devotion to the memory of the charismatic Alena threatens to stifle the new curator's efforts to realize her own creative vision, and her every move mires her more deeply in artistic, erotic, and emotional entanglements. When new evidence calls into question the circumstances of Alena's death, her loyalty, integrity, and courage are put to the test, and shattering secrets surface.

    Stirring and provocative, Alena is the result of a delicious visitation of one of the most popular novels of the twentieth century on a brilliant and inventive novelist of the twenty-first.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJan 23, 2014
    ISBN9781452688381
    Alena
    Author

    Rachel Pastan

    Rachel Pastan is the author of This Side of Married. Her short fiction has earned a number of awards, including a PEN Syndicated Fiction Prize. She lives with her family in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and teaches at Swarthmore College and the Bennington Writing Seminars.

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    Reviews for Alena

    3.5/5

    78 ratings22 reviews

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    • 2/5
      I was expecting a lot more from the book when I read the premise. It's starts off similar to Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, but then veers off once the nameless young curator and Bernard Augustin return to Cape Cod. Her current job as a curatorial assistantship is less than what she had imagined it would be at the Midwestern Museum of Art. But, for the first time, she is allowed to attend the Biennale in Venice with her demanding boss, Louise. Prone to migraines, Louise stays in bed one day and the young curator takes the opportunity to see the places she has only dreamed about. Bumping into Bernard, they spend the day together and make plans which Louise dashes when she announces their abrupt return to the US. Presented with the option of leaving her old job and becoming the curator at the Nauquasset museum in Cape Cod she jumps at the chance. Abruptly quitting her current job, she stays in Venice with Bernard before they return to the US.However, the presence of Alena, the first curator of the "Nauk" is ever present. Her mysterious disappearance haunts Bernard, and influences the people working at the museum. The new curator is dismayed to find the Bernard can't abide being at the museum for very long and leaves her to the mercy of the other co-workers who always are talking about how wonderful Alena was. It then meanders along until the expected conclusion occurs.I really wanted to like this book more.
    • 4/5
      This is wonderfully written and engrossing book. The characters, the descriptions of places and art, and artistic practice, and the narrative are all so masterfully drawn, that the fact that Alena is a revamping of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca is almost beside the point. But the older book's ghostly presence behind this book actually makes the reading of this book even more of a pleasure. I admit I love literary novels that are updates of my favorite classic novels (the most notable and most recent one that comes to mind is Longbourne), and this is why I so wanted to read this book, but it really stands on its own in terms of the writing, and makes the most of its relationship to its precursor. Pastan has struck the perfect balance between keeping and changing elements from Rebecca. This is clearly a very hard task, and I can't recall another book of this type that manages to both fully modernize and also fully grapple with its model. I read and liked Pastan's first novel, but Alena is a superior book on all counts. This was a very enjoyable and beautiful read, with the propulsive narrative and strong sense of atmosphere of du Maurier's novel, and very smart and interesting comments on contemporary art and curation thrown in.
    • 3/5
      Rachel Pastan's novel Alena was a weird scene for my imagination to occupy. I didn't like Rebecca when I read it before ninth grade, but given my limited memory and some changes in taste in the intervening years, I wasn't too worried this would be a bar to enjoying this work. Indeed, it was not. I was, however, impressed by the degree to which Pastan spoke so directly to Du Maurier's novel that even I noticed a number of explicit references and the overall dialogue between the two works. Actually, I am inclined to agree with various other reviews I have read that this book, and in particular its protagonist, doesn't break free of its predecessor's legacy. I join the opinion held by those readers who find the protagonist's passivity at odds with modern social norms.These observations about the relationship between Alena and its inspiration were definitely secondary in my initial observation and in my recollection to the strong, strange impression made by the heroine's peculiar narrative voice. Her observations were poetic, always elegantly phrased, and yet they were accompanied by a total lack of passion or emotional valence of any kind. What a cold, eloquent creature! The unique narration of this novel managed to keep me spellbound. It wasn't engaging personally, but it stimulated my intellectual curiosity tremendously. I still think it bears more scrutiny, and I am eager to discover how my perspective may change upon my second reading. This is no bestselling crowd-pleaser, but it's something different in contemporary literary fiction (at least in my experience) if that is something that spikes your interest. Thank you for reading my thoughts. I appreciate the opportunity to explore this major release in advance of official publication provided through the First to Read program of Penguin Books.
    • 4/5
      “Must every action—every word and thought—recall Alena? Swimming, currents, beaches, exhibitions, artists, parties. How long until my bodily presence had half the substance her absence did?”

      An unnamed young art historian is unexpectedly hired as the curator of a small museum, after meeting the charismatic owner in Venice. As she tries to settle into her new position, she feels the haunting presence of the former curator, Alena. She must contend with Agnes, Alena’s close friend and colleague, who constantly reminds her she is not quite up to Alena’s cutting-edge standards. The storyline follows the mystery of what happened to Alena. She is presumed to have died while night-swimming off the coast of Cape Cod.

      This book is a retelling of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It has a similar gothic tone, but not quite as sinister. I particularly liked the way this story follows some of the main themes of Rebecca but does not adhere too rigorously, allowing it to stand on its own even if the reader is not familiar with its predecessor. Alena’s character is well done. Told in flashback, we get a feel for her artistic temperament and reckless lifestyle. The writing is full of metaphors, perhaps a few too many.

      Our protagonist finds it is hard to live up to the ghost of near perfection. It is also difficult for a book to be compared to a classic. This novel does not quite get there, but I found it intriguing and entertaining. It will appeal to those that enjoy books that feature art, artists, and the sea.
    • 2/5
      This book has been critiqued as being a re-write of "Rebecca". Being that I don't believe I've read "Rebecca" yet (but do have it on my to-be-read shelf) I can't make that comparison. What I can write about is my take on the book.I read the first chapter and wound up borrowing it from a friend. It seemed that it might be interesting and have a mystery slant to it. It did have some of those elements.The protagonist is a young lady from the mid-west. She has graduated magna cum laude with a degree in the Arts. She goes to New York with the intent of enrolling in one of the Arts schools to get her PhD, but winds up getting a Masters in Curatorial Studies. Her first job lands her at Midwestern Museum of Art, working for an overbearing, self-centered lady named Louise Hayes. Instead of doing much curating work she finds she is a personal assistant to keep Louise happy.In Spring it is time for the Biennale in Venice and Louise will be going. As a 'treat' she takes the protagonist along. Since the protagonist has never traveled to Europe, this is a terrific thing and the protagonist expects to see and experience a lot of the Art to be found. As it turns out, she finds herself being the personal assistant and not being able to see much of anything. To remedy this lack of Art, the protagonist takes to sneaking out when she can. She meets Bernard Augustin, a rich man who has established his own personal museum on Cape Cod called the Nauquassett. A small facility that specializes in showing up and coming contemporary artists. He takes her around and shows her to the various sights, while they strike up a friendship. Keeping this short, he winds up offering her the Curatorship of the museum. It is a spur of the moment offer. She quits Louise and takes the job.When she arrives she finds that she is taking the place of the illustrious and seemingly omnipotent Alena, who had mysteriously disappeared two years prior. Not only is the staff still dedicated to Alena, but Bernard also still has a strong connection to Alena. No one knows exactly what has happened to Alena or why.The museum has been closed since Alena's disappearance. The plan is to launch a re-opening exhibit that will bring the museum alive. It is the protagonist's job to make it happen, but she is constantly running up against the missing Alena. Comments by the staff of how Alena would handle it along with a patronizing manner; Bernard taking off for periods of time; questions left unanswered, the strong impression of Alena found in all the corners of the museum. Constant impediments for the protagonist to deal with.I found the writing was good but a bit too much on atmospheric descriptive (my term). The descriptions of the people, settings, weather and so on were a little too plentiful. It may be a style of telling a story, but I prefer a little more character action to scene description. I did enjoy some of the dialogue using Art terms in describing the art. It did make me smile.
    • 4/5
      I have not read Rebecca (yet) nor have I ever been to Cape Cod nor Venice, yet the book felt relatable. I do work in art, though, and that aspect of the book was realistic and appreciative.
    • 3/5
      ell I thought I would either love or hate this book, no middle ground, and I was wrong. I usually dislike current books made from classic and dislike when publishers trying to push a book will make those comparisons. In this case though, it is definitely the author who herself made the comparison with ""Last night I dreamed of Nauquasset again." No other way to take that. Rebecca it is.Modern day, Cape Cod, Alena a curator at a private, small museum disappears. No one seems to know what happened to her. Our nameless heroine, so to speak takes the same position two years later after Alena had disappeared. Right from the get go everyone has something to say about Alena, compare to Alena, from office decorating to art work. So it goes.Unfortunately this book had none of the Gothic feeling of the original nor even the suspense. It was, however, a good read on its own merits. If one loves art, the art history is very interesting, the personal relationships and the secrets people keep. So while it failed in some levels, it suceeded in others. A good read and would have been better without the high expectations of the comparison to a classic.
    • 4/5
      Alena was one of those books that I finished and thought briefly about what I would give it, as far as a star rating goes. I was comfortable with three stars. I mean, I enjoyed the book, I read it in a single night (granted, my nephew was keeping me awake through the baby monitor, but it still kept my interest), so why the three stars? Then, I found myself thinking about it throughout the entire day. Admiring it. Why? Because Alena took someone who really isn't into the art scene and made that person interested.Read the rest of this review at The Lost Entwife on Jan. 24, 2014.
    • 3/5
      This is a fast read, which is good because it means it's over quickly. It's sort of hard to imagine what new thing anyone could have to say about duMaurier's Rebecca and Pastan doesn't seem to have much; the book suffers, I think, by the comparison she's deliberately set up. The unnamed "heroine" is whiny, irresolute, unprofessional, ridiculous, and, in fact, actually boring. We don't know anything about her and, worse, we don't care - she isn't mysterious or intriguing, she's irritating and not believable. The novel is an echo, and a poor one.
    • 2/5
      One of my very favorite books is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. I'd consider it perfect. As with all things that are perfect, they shouldn't be messed with. Rachel Pastan tried to mess with perfection by authoring Alena. It was as if she took the format of Rebecca and almost line for line changed it to accommodate her story. It only served to severely annoy me. I believe that new generations need to be exposed to timeless classics in their original form not with reproductions. A love story is a love story regardless of the time period. So based on these feelings, I cannot endorse Alena. I'm sorry but I am a purist. Pastan needs to try again with an new idea. She definitely has potential to be "original".
    • 2/5
      Pastan's novel is narrated by an unnamed woman who grew up in a small town and does not fail to mention her modest upbringings as often as she can. Straight out of school, after studying Art History and Curatorial Studies, she lands herself a curatorial assistant position at a museum in the Midwest. For her job she attends the Venice Biennial with her overbearing boss, but, while there, she just so happens to catch the eye of Bernard Augustin, renowned founder of the Nauk, a contemporary art museum on Cape Cod. She is quickly asked to become the new curator of the Nauk, succeeding the titular character, Alena. Alena passed away two years ago, under mysterious circumstances, but her presence in the Nauk remains. Much like the ocean's existence permeates the novel, Alena haunts every uncertain step the narrator takes in her new role as curator. One of the most notable attributes about the novel is its relation to the work Rebecca. I've never read Rebecca before, but I thought the description Wikipedia provided for Daphne du Maurier's novel was more enjoyable to read than Alena. The prose felt very drawn out and unnecessary at times. The plot moved along slowly and though there was a resolution, the ending was very abrupt. I thought the book would be merited by its art aspect, but that often fell behind the enigma of Alena.
    • 5/5
      Deliberately invoking Rebecca – Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel about a young woman who marries a rich, older man after a whirlwind romance and from then on is constantly compared to the first Mrs. deWinter, former mistress of Manderley – Rachel Pastan’s third novel, Alena, begins with the line: “Last night I dreamed of Nauquasset again.” Instead of a naive new wife, Alena has a twenty-five-year-old curatorial assistant as its sympathetic heroine and nameless narrator. From her lowly job at an also unnamed third-tier institution she calls the Midwestern Museum of Art, she is suddenly elevated to the position of curator of the Nauquasset, an avant-garde museum of contemporary art on Cape Cod. Internationally recognized, the museum is known in the art world simply as “the Nauk.”The Nauk’s owner, Bernard Augustin – known for his debonair looks, great wealth, and established position in the art world – essentially picks up our nameless narrator at the Venice Art Biennale and, within a few days, offers her the job of a lifetime. Reassuring her worried mother back home that since her new employer is gay, the job offer has nothing to do with sex, she tells her disbelieving and discouraging current boss she’s leaving and steps in to take the place of the glamorous, exciting, creative Alena – the previous curator at the Nauk who disappeared mysteriously three years ago, presumed to have drowned while swimming alone at night, as she was known to do.With intriguing descriptions of art and equally sharp-eyed observation of people, this page-turner of a novel explores the feelings of the narrator as a strained and awkward newcomer in long-established groups – the museum staff, the board of trustees, the Cape’s wealthy patrons of the arts, and the temperamental local artists looking for recognition. Mingling with the salt air of the Cape is the Gothic air of mystery surrounding the disappearance of the enigmatic Alena, whose body was never found.Even with its undercurrent of Gothic-style suspense, Alena isn’t intended to be a thriller, romantic or otherwise, although I think there will be inevitable comparisons to Gone Girl. I highly recommend Alena to readers who like the mysterious aspects and psychological murkiness of novels like The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, Half Broken Things by Morag Joss, and The Night Swimmer by Matt Bondurant, and to readers of literary fiction in general.To read a fuller review, please visit the
    • 3/5
      This novel is both a mystery and a kind of art primer. I loved learning about art through the sensitivities of the young, naive art student / curator; the mystery not so much. I appreciated Pastan's efforts to create a dark atmosphere when her characters talked about Alena but I didn't FEEL it. I did feel that many of the characters were more much more engaging than Alena; and experienced twinges of annoyance when the book kept going back to the question of Alena's disappearance. And what's up with Pastan's obvious dislike of overweight women?
    • 4/5
      Alena was a very interesting read. When I finished the book I returned to the beginning and reread the first 10 pages again, not wanting to have missed something. I had not read Rebecca so I also found it on spark notes and it does seem to be something I may have to read in the future. I loved the description of Venice and the art as well as the location was lovely.I have been on the Cape many times in the past few years and it fits well with felling of the story.
    • 2/5
      Since 2014 is the 75th anniversary of the publication of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, there has been re-interest in the book. Alena by Rachel Pastan is the second book I've read in the last couple of months that is paying tribute to the novel. (Moonrise by Cassandra King was the first, and it just had the faint whiff of Rebecca to it.) This book was less inspired by, or even a retelling of Rebecca, and more a direct translation to the 21st century, like a production of Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing set (somewhat inexplicably) in the Wild West. There were passages directly cribbed from Rebecca, such as the first line and the hairbrushing scene. (One of the creepiest in the original novel.)Setting aside questions about whether Rebecca needed "updating", I don't believe the novel worked. For though Pastan took much of the plot from Rebecca, the parts she changed are ultimately ones that make Alena disjointed and odd. The biggest change is that the unnamed narrator is not married to the Max de Winter character (Bernard), but merely employed by him to be curator of his museum, the Nauk. So the longing that the original character felt for Max just isn't there this time, especially since Bernard is out-of-town for most of the novel. She's also not "trapped" there in the same way and she never communicates to the reader why she doesn't reach out for help in how to do her new job -- to former colleagues, professors, her parents, etc. The other part that didn't work for me was that this novel ended after the big revelation. No delving into Alena's motivations in the same way du Maurier did with Rebecca, no coming together of the two main characters when she finally understands, and no destruction of their museum. So why aren't they at the Nauk anymore? No idea, except that's how it happens in the source novel.I will say, though, that I'd be interested in reading other books by Pastan where she isn't so married to someone else's plotting. Her prose was evocative and crisp and the pacing was brisk without rushing. In short, I suspect that this was a project of love for the author, just one that I think she should have done as an exercise for her own benefit.
    • 2/5
      I was expecting a lot more from the book when I read the premise. It's starts off similar to Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, but then veers off once the nameless young curator and Bernard Augustin return to Cape Cod. Her current job as a curatorial assistantship is less than what she had imagined it would be at the Midwestern Museum of Art. But, for the first time, she is allowed to attend the Biennale in Venice with her demanding boss, Louise. Prone to migraines, Louise stays in bed one day and the young curator takes the opportunity to see the places she has only dreamed about. Bumping into Bernard, they spend the day together and make plans which Louise dashes when she announces their abrupt return to the US. Presented with the option of leaving her old job and becoming the curator at the Nauquasset museum in Cape Cod she jumps at the chance. Abruptly quitting her current job, she stays in Venice with Bernard before they return to the US.However, the presence of Alena, the first curator of the "Nauk" is ever present. Her mysterious disappearance haunts Bernard, and influences the people working at the museum. The new curator is dismayed to find the Bernard can't abide being at the museum for very long and leaves her to the mercy of the other co-workers who always are talking about how wonderful Alena was. It then meanders along until the expected conclusion occurs.I really wanted to like this book more.
    • 3/5
      Readers who loved REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier may have mixed emotions about the latest from Rachel Pastan. It's billed as an homage to that classic story and delivers with this opening sentence: "Last night I dreamed of Nauquasset again." From there we're drawn in to a 21st century remake of one of my favorite novels.A naive young girl, steeped in a love of art history and working as the assistant to a pompous museum curator. A trip to Venice where our unnamed heroine meets the elusive and mysterious (and exceedingly wealthy) Bernard Augustin. Bernard takes the young woman under his wing, although a love match isn't in the cards. Soon he's offering her the chance to be a curator at his family's museum on Cape Cod. She'll be replacing his dearest friend and muse, Alena.So far so good. Unfortunately, once the duo returns stateside the story descends into confusion and banality. Pastan's attempt to stay true to the bones of REBECCA and add her own twists fall flat. The most significant problem is the relationship between Bernard and his new protege. The spark that we witnessed in Venice never returns and without it there's no real tension, no sense of loyalty and commitment. This could have been a sharp, tantalizing read. I blame Bernard for the bulk of my disappointment. He never achieves the top billing the author wants to confer on him. In the end my rebuke was, "You, sir, are no Max de Winter!"
    • 4/5
      I love this book. Rebecca by Du Maurier was always one of my favourites and this is a brilliant pastiche set in Venice and New England. The similarities are very skillfully written in that the characters follow those in Rebecca very well, with Bernard wisking the naive young girl away from a domineering woman in Venice to set up house or a gallery in NE run by Agnes who of course loved Alena (Rebecca) who disappeared 2 years ago, possibly drowning. Very well written and a must read for Rebecca lovers.
    • 4/5
      This book opens as Bernard, Alena's best friend and also his worst friend, recounts a dream about Cape Cod. On the cape Bernard owns a museum, which was curated by Alena, who died under mysterious circumstances two years earlier. Alena was his life-long friend and her absence has left a void in Bernard's life. On a trip to an international art show, Bernard finally finds a replacement curator for his museum. The new curator, a young woman from New York, receives a cold reception from Bernard's other employees when she finally arrives in Cape Cod.After the new curator's arrival, things really get interesting as she begins to get to know the people in the community and prepare for a fall art show. When the sheriff shows up with Alena's boot and her toe rings in it, the new curator is drawn into Alena's mysterious and dark world. This book was a great, but I did have one small complaint. I knew the ending before it happened, never a fun thing. Nonetheless, the book was good and worth the read.
    • 3/5
      Alena by Rachel Pastan reminded me of a literary version of a Mentalist episode: somewhat contrived mystery plot line with a combination of witty and ridiculous dialogue, stereotypical characters, and everything tied up neatly with a confession by the end of the hour. So, nothing to brag about, but not an altogether disagreeable way to spend an hour when there’s nothing better on. I found the Rebecca allusion thin at best—really just the opening sentence and a stilted attempt at the style which she abandons somewhere near the middle. I found the art commentary and discussions interesting, and as a MA native I am always a sucker for the Cape Cod setting. I wish that she had spent more time on character development and less on imitation, but still a vacuously enjoyable read. (I happily received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.)
    • 5/5
      Alena is a wonderfully written homage to Rebecca. I enjoyed the almost lyrical descriptions of art and observations during encounters between Alena and Bernard. As others have stated, it's fun seeing the parallels in the 2 books. I feel Rachel Pastan did a wonderful job creating a unique and atmospheric setting that is thoroughly modern. It's a good juxtaposition for the Gothic beauty of Rebecca. Definitely one of my favorite reworkings of a classic novel.
    • 5/5
      "Alena", a modern version of du Maurier's "Rebecca", is set on Cape Cod. I haven't read Rebecca in years, yet the characters were a recognizable echo of their predecessors, however different the faces and the setting in a modern art museum. The narrator, a young woman from the Midwest, remains unnamed as was the same character in the original novel. She is invited by her condescending do nothing boss to visit the Venice Biennale and ends up seeing almost nothing of the art show or of Venice because she's stuck as her boss's go-fer. Inadvertently, she meets Bernard Augustin, the grieving founder of the Nauk museum of cutting edge art.Because she 'sees and feels' art in the way that he does, he hires her away from her obnoxious boss to become the new curator of his museum, replacing the mysteriously missing first curator.Pastan does an excellent job of building suspense toward the final revelation of Alena's disappearance.