Ahab's Wife was the first book I read by Naslund. While the first chapters of this new book did not engage me as quickly as Ahab's Wife, I pressed on because of the power of Naslund's writing style.

As a musician, writer, and novice painter, this book is a powerful read. Naslund has insights not only into the artistic processes of the painter, musician, and writer, she expresses depths of spirit that resonate deeply with my spiritual side. As an older woman, it was more difficult to read the stories of the aged women, and yet, here too she has important insights on the struggles and vulnerabilities one must face as one ages. Excellent read!
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Sometimes alternating chapters between past and present can be a rich experience, but in this book it falls flat. Especially the contemporary tale seems contrived and over sentimental. I would have been a lot happier with a historical novel just about Elisabeth Vigee- LeBrun, ( )

I wanted to love this book (I teach Vigeé-LeBrun), but I only liked it. It seemed unfinished to me. Both stories, that of the novelist and that of the 18th century painter, Vigeé-LeBrun, felt incomplete. I know more about Old Louisville than I do about the two primary characters. Perhaps that's how Naslund planned it, but I was dissatisfied. ( )

I wanted to love this book (I teach Vigeé-LeBrun), but I only liked it. It seemed unfinished to me. Both stories, that of the novelist and that of the 18th century painter, Vigeé-LeBrun, felt incomplete. I know more about Old Louisville than I do about the two primary characters. Perhaps that's how Naslund planned it, but I was dissatisfied. ( )

Yuck. Got to page 60 or so and thought "no way am I going on!!" First of all it moved like frozen molasses and the character Katheryn was unlikable. The second book "Portrait..." was better but having to endure the "St james" part was torture. I chose this book because I live in Louisville and The Fountain of St James Court caught my eye as I love the art festival that is held there in early October. The writer is on staff at UofL and I thought I would support her. Too bad I chose a bomb. ( )