short and pretentious

I bought this book before going to Rome. First disappointment: the title is allusively justified by the story. the rest: there is a life of a famous unknown narrated by mixing love story (invented at least in the dialogue) but short artistic history (not invented) with art criticism without seeing the works. fortunately it is short and started from Paris the book is completed well before arriving in Rome. Fortunately we can move on ... Rome and its terraces.
A second star because Quignard must be smarter than me ...