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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thought a book about Dorothea Lange would be cool but this was really gritty and not at all captivating. I kept trying to get through it but about 100 or so pages in there was some serious child abuse and I was done.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An absolute love letter to San Francisco, a love that I share, but without glossing over its seedier parts that all cities have. A "fictional" story about the photographer, Dorothea Lange, that turns out to be more truth than fiction when you hear the author's note at the end. Tough to say who was the main character, the city or the woman, but they both shone brightly. The story starts in 1918 and continues through the 1930's (with an epilogue in the 1950's so you know what "became of them" which I appreciated). The similarities from those times a century ago to our times today were unnervingly uncanny. I never knew much about Dorothea Lange other than her famous photo of the Migrant Mother, but she was an intriguing pioneer for women, business, and art.
This book channelled my inner Dorothea Lange! The author's descriptions of an Artist's ( although ( Dorrie) never considered herself this) inner thoughts and desires were sublime, intricate and telling.
TW: sexual assault, racism
"When I was younger, I wanted to talk in the world as if I were invisible, but slowly I cam to realize you couldn't really see people if you're bent on hiding all the time. You had to show people who you were if you hoped they'd show you something of themselves. You had to let yourself be seen. If you gave a person that as well as your deepest attention and then waited, sometimes you could capture their secret stories."
The Bohemians is one of the most unique historical fiction novels I have picked up, ever. Jasmin Darznik takes the reader back to a time that not many people know about, and she does it in a way that makes you want to know more and more and more. Prior to reading this novel, I knew little to nothing about the life of photographer Dorothea Lange and was also unaware of the artistic movement that happened in the 1920s in San Francisco. As a result of reading this novel, I can't wait to learn more.
This is a book that is set in a time so starkly different than the times we live in currently and yet, there has never been a more important time than now to recognize the parallels of history to our present day. Darznik writes about the blatant class discrimination of the 1920s while also reminding the readers of America's history with isolationist and America-first politics. Reading about the impacts of the Spanish Flu on culture, society, and identity was absolutely haunting.
I highly recommend for any fans of historical fiction. The friendship between Dorrie and Caroline is beautiful. The resilience is powerful. And, the cameos of well known artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Ansel Adams create a little fun for the reader as well.
"When I was younger, I wanted to talk in the world as if I were invisible, but slowly I cam to realize you couldn't really see people if you're bent on hiding all the time. You had to show people who you were if you hoped they'd show you something of themselves. You had to let yourself be seen. If you gave a person that as well as your deepest attention and then waited, sometimes you could capture their secret stories."
The Bohemians is one of the most unique historical fiction novels I have picked up, ever. Jasmin Darznik takes the reader back to a time that not many people know about, and she does it in a way that makes you want to know more and more and more. Prior to reading this novel, I knew little to nothing about the life of photographer Dorothea Lange and was also unaware of the artistic movement that happened in the 1920s in San Francisco. As a result of reading this novel, I can't wait to learn more.
This is a book that is set in a time so starkly different than the times we live in currently and yet, there has never been a more important time than now to recognize the parallels of history to our present day. Darznik writes about the blatant class discrimination of the 1920s while also reminding the readers of America's history with isolationist and America-first politics. Reading about the impacts of the Spanish Flu on culture, society, and identity was absolutely haunting.
I highly recommend for any fans of historical fiction. The friendship between Dorrie and Caroline is beautiful. The resilience is powerful. And, the cameos of well known artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Ansel Adams create a little fun for the reader as well.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Starts slow but solid read. Interesting San Francisco history throughout.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape