Book Review

[squirrella]

The Painted Kiss, Elizabeth Hickey

Clearly a debut novel, this book suffers from several things, least among those is character development. The story alternates between two distinct time periods: 1944 and the late 1800s. Predictably, 1944 is all about escaping, rationing, making do, and black-out curtains. It's a storyline that's been done before and better and really only serves as a distraction in this novel. The earlier period begins in 1886 when Emilie Floge meets Gustav Klimt. Somehow, the 12-year-old Emilie falls under the spell of the controversial libertine and before long, she's become his lover. But, she's not the only one and so the reader has to sift through half-hearted jealousy for much of the novel ("He can have Adele, Adele can have him--I do not like Gustav Klimt," then, "I shall perish without him. If only he'd paint me again!").

If you're mad for Austrian historical fiction, check this out. Otherwise, wait and see if it's made into a movie.

Comments

[annablume.livejournal.com]

Did Klimt really sleep with 12 year olds?

[squirrella.livejournal.com]

i think in the novel she's "of age". the author's note at the end mentions a number of liberties she took (the author), and one of those is the age at which Emilie first sat for Klimt (allegedly, she was much older). so perhaps the age difference is intended as a shock element?