This is stated more than once in Claire McMillan’s historical fictionalized biography of artist Remedi‘Art is for the things we don’t have words for.’
This is stated more than once in Claire McMillan’s historical fictionalized biography of artist Remedios Varo and her life among the other artists and cultural icons, especially of the surrealist movement, caught up in the madness and fear which engulfed Paris and France as the Nazi army advanced toward the city. Not long into the novel, Remedios, her lover Benjamin Peret, and others are forced to escape for Marseilles where they will stay until they can find some way to leave France. Here they connect with Varian Fry at Villa Air Bel which has been serving as a safe house for artists that Fry is working to help out of Europe. During this time at Marseilles we see the Remedios renew and strengthen the connection to the Tarot that helps structure this book and her life. Here too, Remedios learns of her friend, and fellow artist, Leonora Carrington’s placement in a mental hospital in Spain. The table has been set and everyone is in place and about to begin their new lives.
Considering that I knew nothing of Varo or a Arrington or their art before reading this book and only limited information about the other artists, thinkers and writers involved, I found this story very interesting and the structure used, original and in keeping with Remedios Varo’s apparent philosophy of life. The story is essentially told through Remedios’s point of view, while periodically we hear from other important characters who are also identified by tarot cards, with appropriate descriptions. We readers receive a brief introduction into some of the cards’s meanings.
Following the transformation of an artist from someone’s muse to becoming an independent creator is a fascinating process, and I believe McMillan has fashioned a wonderful novel in Alchemy of a Blackbird. I know that I want to find whatever of Varo’s art may be available to view online after the descriptions I’ve just read.
I recommend this book to those interested in art, women in art. This is fiction, but based in fact.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. This review is my own....more
Solo Viola is my first experience reading any work by Antonio Volodine. It was first released, in its original French, in the 1991, and is now having Solo Viola is my first experience reading any work by Antonio Volodine. It was first released, in its original French, in the 1991, and is now having a new life in a new English translation as the world sees a resurgence of authoritarian leaders and regimes.
This short novel is intriguing, maddening and overwhelmingly sad. The central characters: three released prisoners; a writer and his artist friend; a classical string quartet; a woebegone circus troupe; a leader, a “malevolent buffoon,” who buys and bullies support from a mindless and adoring public. The story begins in a disjointed fashion but builds to a crescendo. A cautionary tale of sorts.
Recommended (a foreword explains much about this book, Volodine, and the meaning of post-exotic literature.)
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
Another good entry in the Enzo Files series. And to think there is only one more! The unsolved mysteries in Roger Raffin’s book are slowly being decipAnother good entry in the Enzo Files series. And to think there is only one more! The unsolved mysteries in Roger Raffin’s book are slowly being deciphered by Enzo Macleod. This time it’s the death of celebrity chef Marc Fraysse. to be continued......more
Imagine there was a knowledge gap of several months in the history of your life. For most of us, that would not present a problem. For followers of poImagine there was a knowledge gap of several months in the history of your life. For most of us, that would not present a problem. For followers of poet Elizabeth Bishop this presents more of a thought provoking issue for Bishop maintained daily journals throughout her life, except for much of 1937 when she stopped entirely. In Paris, 7 A.M., Liza Wieland has imagined what may have happened to Elizabeth during this important post-college year as she works to develop her skills and learn more about herself and the world.
Reading Paris, 7 A.M. has been an odd experience. At times I was captivated by the use of some sparkling or powerful imagery while at others I was confused on the most basic level of who was speaking/narrating what I was reading. The absence of punctuation and frequent lack of identifiers, combined with the fact of so much of the book taking place within Elizabeth’s mind, makes some true conversation difficult to parse out. As the story proceeds, thankfully, this becomes less of an issue.
Perhaps if I had gone into this reading with more knowledge of Bishop and her work I would have understood more of what I read. Of course that’s impossible now. There are pleasures here especially in some of the wonderful imagery sprinkled throughout the book. And, as we come to know and experience Elizabeth more, and as she has meaningful experiences in pre-World War II France in the second part of the book, there is more to enjoy in this recreation of her life. Rated 3 to 3.5*
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
The Enzo series is finished! I won’t include spoilers because I want others to enjoy these books as I have. The premise for this series is that Enzo MThe Enzo series is finished! I won’t include spoilers because I want others to enjoy these books as I have. The premise for this series is that Enzo McLeod, transplanted from Scotland to France about 20 years in the past, has taken on the challenge of solving murders outlined in Roger Raffin’s well known book. Enzo’s background in forensics is the strength he is hoping/planning will give him an edge.
Joining him in his search for answers are an assortment of friends, family and professionals within the police community at large, though often he is on his own. There is usually a beautiful woman nearby as Enzo seems powerless to resist the charms of a pretty face (or sensuous walk). In this final book of the series, the usual elements are present but with some changes that allow completion of various plot lines. He is nearing the end of the challenge but now is increasingly under threat from the unknown person who tried to kill him twice before. Obviously he must be close to something important....but what?
Cast Iron was compelling reading. I read in long spurts, stopping only when my eyes could no longer focus on my iPad (much less forgiving than my Paperwhite). I really wanted to know what was going to happen next, who was in danger, who might not survive this story, and of course what would be Enzo’s fate. Everything was up in the air for much of this book.
When it came to rating, this is by far my favorite of the Enzo series. May seems to have been at the top of his game in developing the plot and working out all of the interlocking steps with prior books. It’s not quite up there with the books of the Lewis Trilogy, but Cast Iron does a great job of completing the Enzo Files. If you read these books, do read them in order. It is important....more
This has been a truly wonderful reading and visual experience, seeing so many of Van Gogh’s most iconic paintings and learning how, and in what circumThis has been a truly wonderful reading and visual experience, seeing so many of Van Gogh’s most iconic paintings and learning how, and in what circumstances, they were created. The excitement is tempered by also learning more about Van Gogh’s emotional/psychological life, which certainly cost him peace of mind, freedom, health, and ultimately, life.
This book primarily deals with that year at St Paul’s asylum separated into chapters by the type of paintings he created. Van Gogh’s inspirations came primarily from the natural world around him, the town of St Remy, and a few people he saw regularly during the year. His brother Theo sent supplies on request and paintings were sent to Paris for show or sale (though sales were rare).
The discussion of Starry Night led me to enjoy the painting even more. That the Almond branch painting was done for his new godson adds a dimension to Vincent that I was happy to find. His multi-season paintings of the wheatfields are new to me, a wonderful surprise... I don’t believe I had seen them all before.
I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in Van Gogh. It covers the penultimate year of his life and all of the art he created over that time. In addition, it provides some further information on what has happened to these pieces in the intervening years, including some “lost” pieces. There is also a history of St Paul’s hospital itself into the late 20th century. For potential art tourists, there is information on areas of interest around St Paul and St Remy and Arles. For information seekers, there are extensive footnotes and a lengthy bibliography.
The reproductions of Van Gogh’s art work are beautiful. I read this on an iPad and the clarity and color are excellent.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
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