Francesca Kay

Novel about the sources of creativity. Told is the story of a woman painter, Jennet Mallow (1924-2000) from her youthfull discovery of her love for drawing, till the end of her eventfull, passionate and dramatic life. Described are her childhood, young womanhood, relations with her father (crippled by memories of devasting wars), her disappointed mother, her fat sister, her art schooling, husband, familylife, children and lovers. And foremost her drive to paint and the concentration she need to succeed. A good deal of the book is spent on the description of the paintings. The story is loosely modelled on the life of British sculptor Barbara Hepworth and her circle. The First half of the novel is a good read. Beautiful descriptions about form and colour, but then the concept starts to rankle and looses her credibility. Still I found it a readable book about a subject I love; painting in form, colour and substance.… (meer)