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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Very enjoyable! A fictionalization of the story behind the painting "Christina's World." I used to read historical fiction ravenously (I love a good fictionalization or retelling), and I was thrilled to read and enjoy this so much!
I've loved Kline as an author ever since reading her novel Orphan Train, which I found fascinating. I loved learning about a piece of history that I was completely unaware of. She continues to impress me with her fluid writing in A Piece of World.
I'm sure that I especially love this novel because it addresses the story behind Andrew Wyeth's painting, "Christina's World". I've had this print for over 20 years, hanging in my living room, and before that, in a college apartment. My friends and I used to make up stories about what was occurring just outside the frame of the picture. In this novel, Kline addresses exactly that issue, providing a background story to the girl in the painting, and drawing the reader into her world. Loved it!
I'm sure that I especially love this novel because it addresses the story behind Andrew Wyeth's painting, "Christina's World". I've had this print for over 20 years, hanging in my living room, and before that, in a college apartment. My friends and I used to make up stories about what was occurring just outside the frame of the picture. In this novel, Kline addresses exactly that issue, providing a background story to the girl in the painting, and drawing the reader into her world. Loved it!
I have always been fascinated with tge painting Christina's World. A story to go with the painting.
Listened to this one.
Listened to this one.
I loved this book! Very quick read - done in a day (I love vacation!!). Having grown up in the Brandywine valley, surrounded by Wyeths, this story resonated. Christina’s World is an incredible painting - I loved the way the author wove historical fact into a fictional story.
Great book Christina Baker Kline! I love the theme of writing a back story to a famous painting, starting with "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" that set the bar high. The life of Christina Olsen was so heartbreakingly imagined.
I had high hopes for this one since I loved Orphan Train, but it left me underwhelmed. I won't remember much about this book in the months to come.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not much happened
Saaaaaaaaaad! The writing was beautiful, but the story was sad, and the protagonist was not wholly likable. 3.5 for good writing, but I rounded up. I appreciate that it really is historical fiction.
Really enjoyed "Orphan Train" by this author & was looking forward to this read. Boy, was I disappointed. I just could not engage with the characters in this book. It was like watching your neighbors in hope of seeing something interesting happen... but nothing ever happened. Bland & depressing.
Having always loved Andrew Wyeth’s painting “Christina’s World”, I was excited to read this book. According to the author, much research went into making this novel, so I enjoyed knowing that a great deal of it was based on facts. I do appreciate her using her creativity to write a great story around these facts. Christina was a fascinating woman, who went through so much both physically, with her debilitating illness from a young age, as well as emotionally, as the illness affected her social life as well. She pushed through all of the pain and detested being pitied. Her dear brother Al stayed with her on the family farm, sacrificing his own happiness to be with his sister. When Andy Wyeth comes into her life and stays with his wife Betsy for several summers on the farm to create some paintings, Christina’s life changes. Andy becomes a dear friend who understands Christina. When I first saw a picture of “Christina’s World”, I fell in love with it. It is so simple, yet has a haunting, emotional pull. I later visited MOMA and sought out the actual piece of art. It was even more striking than I envisioned. I enjoyed reading this novel and getting an idea of the woman beyond the painting.