Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye. This week, my picks were taken from readers’ suggestions for more art-lit.
The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Cary
Summary: Gulley Jimson is an impoverished painter who bothers little about conventional values – this comes at a cost.
I’m thinking: Maybe – not mad on the style but first chapter interesting.
The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt
Summary: Famous author Olive Wellwood writes a special book for each of her children. The children and their friends (the son and daughter of a curator at the new Victoria and Albert Museum) live in a mysterious, story-book world.
I’m thinking: Yes – immediately reminded me of books by Boyne and Tremain.
Headlong by Michael Frayn
Summary: Martin Clay, a young would-be art historian, believes he has discovered a missing masterpiece. The owner of the painting is oblivious to its potential and asks Martin to help him sell it, leaving Martin with a unique opportunity.
I’m thinking: Maybe.
I loved the Children’s Book. The Edwardian era, the arts and craft movement and the reader knowing they are all hurtling towards the horrors of World War 1. Have you read Olivia Laing’s To The River? There is a chapter on Kenneth Grahame which made me think back to the Byatt book. I read it when it came out. I was stuck in hospital for months waiting to have a baby. Convenient for reading at least!
I’ve read Headlong and enjoyed it. It’s a page-turner but you need to like farcical humour.
I loved both The Children’s Book and Headlong. I’m really envious that you still have them to read for the first time.
I haven’t read any of these, The Children’s Book does sound interesting!
I’m always going to recommend anything by A.S. Byatt 🙂
The Byatt gets my vote – I haven’t read anything by her in soooo long, I should definitely revisit her.