Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
slow-paced
this was hard to read at first because i hate holocaust literature, but i enjoyed it. i always love a dual perspective, and adele's was definitely my favorite of the two. i'm glad there was a happy ending, because going into it i didn't know where it was going. my interest in the book came from falling in love with klimt's Judith when i visited austria, so it was fascinating to see the story unfold, however fictional it may or may not be.
I enjoyed this book very much. It had me going back and forth from the novel to my computer, to google things about Klimt and Adele Bloch-Bauer. I love books that teach me things. The writing is excellent, and the two interlocking stories are fascinating. Highly recommended.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story is incredible, all the more so because it's true. Both Adele Bloch-Bauer and her niece, Maria Altmann lived incredible lives and it was awe-inspiring to read both the story of how one of the greatest modern art pieces came to be and how it was rightfully restored after being stolen by the Nazis. As an avid art lover, it was wonderful to read about a piece I've admired from afar and certainly can't wait to see in person!
Adele Bloch-Bauer me llena de inspiración. Una de las mecenas del arte más grande en Viena, pensaba que el arte era una de las mejores cosas que puede construir y crear una cultura; siempre tan brillante, sensual, audaz, deseosa de salir de los estereotipos y normas de género de la época.
Es una fantasía esta mujer y leer sobre ella es un placer.
Es una fantasía esta mujer y leer sobre ella es un placer.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Real rating 4.5
Esta es una novela fascinante. Leer sobre la historia de Gustav Klimt y su musa Adele Bloch-Bauer. Una mujer de admirar, impresionante, feminista y con ganas de dejar su huella en el mundo.
Conocer los trasfondos antisemitas en Austria antes del Nazismo. Ha sido simplemente maravilloso.
Obviamente no puedo quedarme sin recordar a Maria Altmann. Vivi sus angustias, sus recuerdos robados, su inocencia...
Sin lugar a dudas un libro altamente recomendado para quienes aman las ficciones históricas, el arte, y la SGM!
Esta es una novela fascinante. Leer sobre la historia de Gustav Klimt y su musa Adele Bloch-Bauer. Una mujer de admirar, impresionante, feminista y con ganas de dejar su huella en el mundo.
Conocer los trasfondos antisemitas en Austria antes del Nazismo. Ha sido simplemente maravilloso.
Obviamente no puedo quedarme sin recordar a Maria Altmann. Vivi sus angustias, sus recuerdos robados, su inocencia...
Sin lugar a dudas un libro altamente recomendado para quienes aman las ficciones históricas, el arte, y la SGM!
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sometimes you pick up a book and, without intention, wind up finding it contains a wonderful blend of several of your personal interests. STOLEN BEAUTY was that for me.
The novel alternates between the stories of two women (aunt and niece), at two different periods, both of whom are linked to artist Gustav Klimt. Klimt painted my single favorite piece of art work, A Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, aka The Woman in Gold. This 1907 painting, commissioned by Adele's husband, was among the countless treasures confiscated by the Nazis from Jewish families. Both World War II and this looting of art, jewels, property and personal effects from Jewish homes -- most of which have never been returned -- are two more interests of mine.
But back to this historical fiction. The older story in STOLEN BEAUTY focuses on Adele Bloch-Bauer (1881-1925), an early 20th century Viennese socialite and hostess known for her patronage of the arts. She was a great supporter of Klimt's symbolist techniques and of other artists in the Vienna Secession movement. A curious and intelligent woman, Adele was limited by the societal expectations for women at her time, unable to study as she wanted, and instead, required to marry a wealthy, older man at the age of eighteen.
The second story follows Adele's niece Maria Altmann (1916-2011), who is representative of the thousands of Jews who were forced to flee Austria in the late 1930s, under increasing persecution by the Nazis. All those who fled did so at great personal and financial sacrifice. Maria, in later life, becomes famous for suing the Austrian government to force the return of her aunt's portrait to the family. (This fascinating legal story is also the subject of the 2005 movie, Woman in Gold, starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds.)
Both stories are obviously full of drama. And author Laurie Lico Albanese has managed to skillfully mingle known fact with reasonable speculation. If you're like me, I started googling all sorts of things as I was reading, just to learn more. Were Klimt and Adele lovers? Was she his main muse? Was she the model for some of his other works, like Judith?
STOLEN BEAUTY is a compelling novel that blends some of the most interesting and horrific history from the 20th century.
The novel alternates between the stories of two women (aunt and niece), at two different periods, both of whom are linked to artist Gustav Klimt. Klimt painted my single favorite piece of art work, A Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, aka The Woman in Gold. This 1907 painting, commissioned by Adele's husband, was among the countless treasures confiscated by the Nazis from Jewish families. Both World War II and this looting of art, jewels, property and personal effects from Jewish homes -- most of which have never been returned -- are two more interests of mine.
But back to this historical fiction. The older story in STOLEN BEAUTY focuses on Adele Bloch-Bauer (1881-1925), an early 20th century Viennese socialite and hostess known for her patronage of the arts. She was a great supporter of Klimt's symbolist techniques and of other artists in the Vienna Secession movement. A curious and intelligent woman, Adele was limited by the societal expectations for women at her time, unable to study as she wanted, and instead, required to marry a wealthy, older man at the age of eighteen.
The second story follows Adele's niece Maria Altmann (1916-2011), who is representative of the thousands of Jews who were forced to flee Austria in the late 1930s, under increasing persecution by the Nazis. All those who fled did so at great personal and financial sacrifice. Maria, in later life, becomes famous for suing the Austrian government to force the return of her aunt's portrait to the family. (This fascinating legal story is also the subject of the 2005 movie, Woman in Gold, starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds.)
Both stories are obviously full of drama. And author Laurie Lico Albanese has managed to skillfully mingle known fact with reasonable speculation. If you're like me, I started googling all sorts of things as I was reading, just to learn more. Were Klimt and Adele lovers? Was she his main muse? Was she the model for some of his other works, like Judith?
STOLEN BEAUTY is a compelling novel that blends some of the most interesting and horrific history from the 20th century.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Rape