I love when fiction and art combine. Andrew Wyeth is one of my favorite American artists, and Christina's World is one of his most recognizable paintings. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline is the fictionalized story of Christina Olson, the woman who inspired the painting. She and Andy Wyeth met one summer in Maine. He was a young man soon to be married; she was a middle-aged spinster. And yet, as Wyeth himself said, when they met "there was a very strange connection. One of those odd collisions that happen." Their quiet friendship deepened over the years as Wyeth studied and sketched her house and the fields around it; he even took over one of her upstairs rooms from which he worked and painted every summer for twenty years. But this book is not about Wyeth. It's about Christina: her childhood, her physical infirmity, her family, and her hopes and disappointments. It's a lyrical and fascinating portrait of the unassuming woman who inspired a masterpiece. This is an amazing read, so beautifully written, and interesting, and quietly compelling. I loved it. A Piece of the World is historical fiction at its best.
Happy Reading!
I love many of Wyeth's paintings, but Christina's World is a favorite with most of his fans. How intriguing to read Christina's World instead of just seeing the painting.
ReplyDeleteIt really gives you a different view of the painting. And a new appreciation for Christina. I also liked the way Kline depicted Wyeth and his wife; this book made me want to read more about him. :)
DeleteI am not familiar with Wyeth or his art (I did go and look him up though). I enjoy Christina Baker Kline's writing and think I might like this one too.
ReplyDeleteShe did a really good job telling this story; I think you'd like it, too.
DeleteI love how you say it's quietly compelling. I love that description. I'll have to read this one now.
ReplyDeleteChristina's life was a quiet one, but her story really drew me in. I hope you get a chance to read it...and that you end up liking it, too. :)
DeleteI'd read two of her other books -
ReplyDeleteDesire Lines and Sweet Water and enjoyed them. I'm intrigued with this one, since there's the art element in it. ;)
That's what drew me to this book, too. :)
DeleteDid you like her other books? I haven't read any of her other novels, not even Orphan Train.
Yes, I enjoyed the two book I read. Very different from this and it's always a good thing to read something different from the same author. ;) I'm curious of Orphan Train as I've read several good reviews on it.
DeleteI'll have to try one of her other books. I like finding go-too authors, and it sounds like Kline just might turn out to be one of those. :)
DeleteYay! I'm so happy you LOVED this book :) Its such a great story! You make me want to read it again.
ReplyDeleteI did love this book! And if you hadn't reviewed it in the first place, who knows how long it would've taken me hear about it. So, thanks!!! :D
DeleteWow, thanks for this review. I learned about the Wyeth painting Christina's World back in elementary school (I don't remember why or how) and was absolutely fascinated. I will have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a book worth reading! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)
DeleteI found another of Kline's books okay, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to pick up another. Since you enjoyed it so much, I might have to give A Piece of the World a try!
ReplyDeleteI can't compare A Piece of the World to any of her other books because I've only ever read this one, but I do think this one is worth reading! :)
DeleteI liked Kline's ORPHAN TRAIN well enough, so I'm definitely going to give her new book a try. It sounds interesting. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy this one, too. :)
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