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halkid2 's review for:
Stolen Beauty
by Laurie Lico Albanese
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