Reviews

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

seahorsesister's review against another edition

5.0

Beautifully told imagined story of the real life of Christina and the intersection of her world and Andrew Wyeth's time in Cushing Maine. Erie, haunting, raw and real.

calistaw's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

romanici's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars

dyeganian's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

As with her popular book, Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline, develops her story around a piece of history. The model for Andrew Wyeth's famous painting, Christina's World, was Christina Olson from Cushing, Maine. Christina had a degenerative disease which eventually left her unable to walk. Rather than accept help, even in the form of a wheelchair, Christina preferred to crawl. Painter Andrew Wyeth developed a 'kindred spirit' relationship with Christina and her brother and used them, and their old-fashioned farm, as inspiration for much of his work. It will be fun to see the painting sometime after 'knowing' the model. I found the story a little slow at first - perhaps because Christina's life was so circumscribed. Kline portrays Christina as a tough survivor who isn't particularly charming but is capable of deep relationships.

mschrock8's review against another edition

4.0

This book reminded me of "Where the Crawdads Sing" in how isolated Christina was.

"A lady doesn't reach into her pocket in view of others." I hadn't known!

wrasea's review against another edition

4.0

"My heart is shattered, and all that's left are jagged shards."

Beautiful. This book breaks your heart and puts it back together at the same time. Audiobook narration is fantastic.

jackielayla's review against another edition

4.0

A very intriguing read for me. I grew up in Chadds Ford, PA - Andrew Wyeth country and the painting, Christina’s World, is a painting I have admired since I was a child. This story about Christina - the subject of the painting as well as the time and circumstances Wyeth spent drawing and painting her, her brother, their house, and their land was fascinating for me to read and learn about.

emilyesnyder's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

sroot45's review against another edition

3.0

I listened to the audio version of this book and the narration was excellent. I enjoyed the story and the characters, and would definitely recommend it. Especially if you have an appreciation for art and art history. However, for me, there are some books I read that I can't wait to get back to, and this wasn't one of them. I think because, while I did empathize with the characters, I didn't really get drawn into their world. Overall, however, well done.