This gorgeously written deconstruction of a marriage drew me in with its deep analysis of marriage and of the creative process, its detail of the quotidian, and its wise reflection on the the outsize impact a single choice or act can have on the symbiosis (stasis?) of a long relationship. Many relationships are discussed, but the focus is on how events impact the marital relationship.

Gus (officially Augusta) made some bad choices years ago and her husband, Owen, cannot get over it. They never discuss this other than those times when Owen's lingering rage pops up and he reminds her of her "villainy"to trigger her self-loathing and fear of abandonment. Mostly though they maintain a fragile detente with the agreement to never speak of her actions or of Owen's feelings of guilt and useless due to his infertility and his writer's block.

The erosion of a committed relationship never comes down to one event or one partner but the choice to hold everything hurtful in some locked room where it is never spoken of is often the main catalyst in a relationship's demise. Black provides a chilling and true picture of how that works. In my own long deceased relationship my ex-husband was infertile. We could have worked through it, but he absolutely refused to discuss his infertility or adoption or artificial insemination. When you cannot discuss the most important thing in your lives you stop talking about anything important, and silence and politeness eventually asphyxiates the relationship. From my experience I think Black shows us exactly how this process feels.

Mostly I loved the book, but I did think some characters and events were poorly integrated into the central story. Gus's interactions with her father, who has Alzheimer's, were clunky, unrealistic, and unnecessary, I think Black was trying to tie the story of how some violent outbursts from her father that ended almost as quickly as they started, and his consequent forced and permanent move from regular assisted living to a locked ward, related to Gus's own misstep and consequent prison of polite solitude. I did not think that succeeded. I also wish Black had made the neighbors, Alison and Nora (who are, among other things, the catalysts for the book's climax) less stupid. All in all though I understood all of these people, I was interested in them, and I was blown away by Gus's observations and Black's writing prowess. Highly recommend this one. ( )

Why, yes, life is complicated. And relationships are MESSY. This is my first Robin Black novel, and I loved her writing. I will be reading more... for sure. ( )

A solid look at long-term relationships and the long-term repercussions of betrayal, trust, and seduction in the face of forgiveness. ( )

A random book I picked up from the city library based on its name. Now what I was thinking, but unexpectedly good. An enchanting story about seclusion, betrayal, art, life. Very real. I could not tear myself away. ( )

Life Drawing. Robin Black. 2014. Gus, the narrator and an artist, and her husband Owen, a writer move out of the city into a messy, comfortable farmhouse when an aunt leaves them a little money. They’re contented to be alone and work for the most part, although Owen is beset with writer’s block, but Gus is painting away and it is hard for Owen. Alison, a new divorcee, moves to the deserted house next door and gradually becomes involved in their life, to the dismay of Owen. Right away, you know Alison will bring trouble, however the trouble is Nora, Alison daughter who is immediately attracted to Owen. The book dragged in parts, but I enjoyed reading about the Gus’ paintings and how she developed them. A nice little readable romance that has enough suspense to get the plot going. ( )