A review by cindy_f
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

4.0

I thought this was a well written fictional story about a real character in history- Christina Olson. She was the inspiration and muse for Andrew Wyeth’s painting called “Christina’s World.” The story delves into the life of Christina living and working in her family farm (1900- 1940’s Maine) despite her physical affliction. She is described as tenacious, stubborn and prideful. She refuses treatment for this physical defect while chastising those that pity her. A long term love who abruptly ends their relationship leaves her bitter. She is forced by family obligations to leave school after 8th grade but yearns for so much more. The story goes back and forth from her younger days to later on (1939) when Andrew Wyeth stays at the farm to paint. The bond between Christina and Wyeth is masterfully told.