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Marilyn C.'s Reviews > A Piece of the World
A Piece of the World
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"What she wants most - what she truly yearns for - is what any of us want: to be seen."
Christina Olson lived her life mostly as a shut in, born with a degenerative disease that will take the use of her legs in childhood. The famous painter Andrew Wyeth befriends her, and will use her home and land to paint some of his most famous works, including the painting that now resides in the Museum of Modern Art, "Christina's World".
A story told through Christina's eyes as she bravely deals with the hardships of her disease and the effects it takes on her life. She was a strong and determined woman, who through the progression of her disease would use just her arms to pull herself along the floor. I was obviously heartbroken for her, but as the story progressed I became frustrated with her inability to accept help, as she even declined a wheelchair and the way she treated her family and friends.
This was a very intriguing and well researched story that historical fiction readers and art enthusiasts will enjoy. For those of us who like to know the background or "story" of a particular piece, Christina Baker Kline writes an in depth story about Wyeth and Christina's friendship and how the painting came into fruition. I will never be able to view "Christina's World" again without thinking back to this novel.
by
"What she wants most - what she truly yearns for - is what any of us want: to be seen."
Christina Olson lived her life mostly as a shut in, born with a degenerative disease that will take the use of her legs in childhood. The famous painter Andrew Wyeth befriends her, and will use her home and land to paint some of his most famous works, including the painting that now resides in the Museum of Modern Art, "Christina's World".
A story told through Christina's eyes as she bravely deals with the hardships of her disease and the effects it takes on her life. She was a strong and determined woman, who through the progression of her disease would use just her arms to pull herself along the floor. I was obviously heartbroken for her, but as the story progressed I became frustrated with her inability to accept help, as she even declined a wheelchair and the way she treated her family and friends.
This was a very intriguing and well researched story that historical fiction readers and art enthusiasts will enjoy. For those of us who like to know the background or "story" of a particular piece, Christina Baker Kline writes an in depth story about Wyeth and Christina's friendship and how the painting came into fruition. I will never be able to view "Christina's World" again without thinking back to this novel.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
December 1, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Hardcover Edition)
December 1, 2016
– Shelved
(Hardcover Edition)
March 2, 2017
–
Started Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
March 8, 2017
–
Finished Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
March 12, 2017
– Shelved
March 12, 2017
– Shelved as:
read-in-2017
Comments Showing 1-24 of 24 (24 new)
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Liz
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Mar 12, 2017 06:09PM
Lovely review! This sounds like an interesting one. :-)
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Great review, Marilyn. I'm really looking forward to this one!
Thank you, Liz and Candi :) Candi - I will be looking forward to your thoughts on this one!
Such a good review. I didn't realize that this was based on true life, until reading your words Marilyn. Now that I think about it, the author did that with Orphan Train - which I thought was a very good book. Was this near the same time period?
Oh wow, this sounds amazing! Wonderful review!
Ron wrote: "Such a good review. I didn't realize that this was based on true life, until reading your words Marilyn. Now that I think about it, the author did that with Orphan Train - which I thought was a ver..."Hi Ron! This book starts off in 1939 when Christina meets Wyeth but goes all the way back to 1900 with Christina's family. Baker Kline states in her notes at the end of this book that she wanted to "linger in that time period" a bit longer after finishing Orphan Train. I actually really enjoyed her notes at the end and felt it added to the overall story. I have not read Orphan Train yet-but hoping to soon! And last but not least - Thank You :)
Taryn wrote: "Oh wow, this sounds amazing! Wonderful review!"Thanks, Taryn!
Sounds really good, Marilyn! Did you read it twice or is it GR wonky stuff going on?
Jen wrote: "Sounds really good, Marilyn! Did you read it twice or is it GR wonky stuff going on?"I read this only once - I wish I had the attention span to keep rereading books! Lol. I need to see if I can get that off.
You can as I've had to correct mine too and it will impact your annual challenge.
Jen wrote: "You can as I've had to correct mine too and it will impact your annual challenge."It's going to deduct off my total books? That's annoying.
Love your review, Marilyn! I can't wait to read this one. I love Wyeth's work.
Dana wrote: "Love your review, Marilyn! I can't wait to read this one. I love Wyeth's work."Thanks, Dana! I think if you enjoy his work you will appreciate this book even though the story is primarily about Christina. Hope you feel better soon :)
Maddie wrote: "Fantastic review, Marilyn :D"Thanks so much, Maddie :)
Wonderful review, Marilyn! I bought this one last night - cannot wait to read it!
Jennifer wrote: "Wonderful review, Marilyn! I bought this one last night - cannot wait to read it!"Thanks, Jennifer and enjoy!
This was a very intriguing and well-researched story that historical fiction readers and art enthusiasts will enjoy.Sounds like music to my ears! Great review Marilyn :)
Iris P wrote: "This was a very intriguing and well-researched story that historical fiction readers and art enthusiasts will enjoy.Sounds like music to my ears! Great review Marilyn :)"
Thank you, Iris!
Terrific review, Marilyn, I had wondered a bit about how reading this would affect how I would look at the painting, but I think this story only added to my love of Wyeth's art.
Cheri wrote: "Terrific review, Marilyn, I had wondered a bit about how reading this would affect how I would look at the painting, but I think this story only added to my love of Wyeth's art."Thank you, Cheri - I thought your review was pretty terrific as well. I agree this story just adds to the enjoyment of Christina's World.
