Reviews

The White Blackbird: A Life of the Painter Margarett Sargent by Her Granddaughter by Honor Moore

renaplays's review

4.0

This has a lot of historical detail, not written with a lively narrative voice. So it may not be for everyone.

nonnie63's review against another edition

5.0

The best book I've ever read on a Woman Painter. As you read Margarett Singer Sargent's story you not only learn about American art history but you learn about Art history through the ages. I didn't want to put this book down and I read within a week. This woman has not been acknowledged through the canons of American Art History. If it hadn't been for her granddaughter finding her artwork and diaries in the closets she would have gone unnoticed. I cannot wait to study her more and is now my favorite American artist of the century. Thank you Honor for such a captivating and honest storytelling!

carlyque's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to love this. And I did enjoy reading about the subject's connection to modernist art, and the NY and Boston arts scenes in the early 20thc. I would have liked a bit more historical context--at some point the rarified world of those who can boat themselves off to the continent whenever they're unhappy, or binge across the NY streets with nary a scrape becomes annoying. The author is clear on her grandmother's privilege, but the narrow focus makes the book feel like gossip about Bostonians. interesting on grandmother's affairs with men and women, but more historical context here too...or focus on class potentials. Only so many affairs with blue blooded harvardites before you want to scream.