Thank you publisher for the blurb which tells the whole story! Unbelievable. Perhaps they thing we all know it, given this is historical fiction and tells the story of the French Impressionist Camille Pissarro.
In a way, I didn’t care about the story per se except that it gave me a wonderful history lesson about a famous artist, the island where he was born, and the community in which he was raised.
What I cared deeply about were the deeply drawn characters and the angst ridden conflicts within themselves and against the expectations of family and society, especially with those who loved them – too much, or not enough, as the author suggests. These were heartbreakingly drawn – the frustrations were your own in each case, and the victories, although often tainted with compromise, celebrated accordingly.
The fictional story of Jestine and her daughter Lyddie deepened the historical tale and the theme of desire vs expectation. It served as a great contrast between the stubborn Rachel who got her way, and the weak Aaron who didn’t, suffered accordingly, and dragged others into his pain.
An enchanting read, beautiful lyrical writing – the way the author captured the differences between the hot vibrancy of St Thomas with its natural and spiritual world, and the cool greys of practical, bourgeois Paris was exquisite.
For some reason, I don’t think I’ve read any Hoffman, but I will be now.
Find The Marriage of Opposites here.
More reviews here and my monthly round up of what I’ve read here.