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A review by novel_nomad
Beauty in Thorns by Kate Forsyth
4.0
A beautifully crafted historical fiction that ensnares the reader with vivacious characters and wonderful writing, slowly drawing you into the tangled, tumultuous lives of the Pre-Raphaelite women.
As part of Kate Forsyth’s fairytale retelling series, this was a little difficult to discern the relation to the tale of the Briar Rose (aka. Sleeping Beauty). It was not until I was deep into the sadness of Part Three that I realised it was mimicking the story perfectly, the initial golden years for all the women faded into addiction, deception and misery - the cursed years that covered the enchanted court in thorny briars. Not all the women and men of the Pre-Raphaelites escaped the curse, but hope for the lifting of the curse was found in children, in particular Margo Burne-Jones who was depicted as the sleeping princess in her father’s famous quartet.
The writing is luxurious, with imagery and emotions as rich as the artists it depicts. I highly recommend this book for anyone with a fascination with late Victorian art, the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood and giving voice to the women to supported and inspired them.
As part of Kate Forsyth’s fairytale retelling series, this was a little difficult to discern the relation to the tale of the Briar Rose (aka. Sleeping Beauty). It was not until I was deep into the sadness of Part Three that I realised it was mimicking the story perfectly, the initial golden years for all the women faded into addiction, deception and misery - the cursed years that covered the enchanted court in thorny briars. Not all the women and men of the Pre-Raphaelites escaped the curse, but hope for the lifting of the curse was found in children, in particular Margo Burne-Jones who was depicted as the sleeping princess in her father’s famous quartet.
The writing is luxurious, with imagery and emotions as rich as the artists it depicts. I highly recommend this book for anyone with a fascination with late Victorian art, the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood and giving voice to the women to supported and inspired them.