“To take a truly good picture you have to learn to see, not just look.”

The Bohemians is as much about psychological and societal torture as it is about Dorothea Lange finding her way with and through her involvement with The Monkey Block of San Francisco. She was to become an icon in the world of photography, specifically documentary photography, fighting to be a successful businesswoman when those worlds were all but closed to her.

Because this is historical fiction we will never fully know the dynamic of Lange’s relationship with her Assistant but the importance is including her in the narrative and then marginalizing her. Depicted as both cultured and talented, the caste system relegated this mixed race woman to nothingness. Someone who was brutalized and ignored. What a timely commentary.

The publisher’s blurb perfectly describes the book and leaves out little except the Author’s notes. If you want to know what this book is about read what the publisher has to say, If you want to know what is left out and should have found a way into the text read the Author’s notes. The book is well written, interesting and informative, giving the reader an intimate view of San Francisco post WWI, the Spanish Flu, corrupt politicians and the great earthquake that decimated the city.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy ( )

I loved this book!! I was totally immersed in this fascinating story of early San Francisco, specifically as this novel focused on the artists and their creative community ("The Bohemians"). With the spotlight on iconic photographer Dorothea Lange at the beginning of her career, Darznik skillfully incorporates the motif of reinvention (of Lange, of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake, and of Lange's friend Caroline Lee). The cultural themes of racism and anti-immigrant sentiments are chillingly similar to today's headlines, as are attitudes of class (haves vs. have-nots) and sexism - all portrayed with historical accuracy. Many of the characters in the novel are real people, and several were familiar to me from other books I've read, especially a Georgia O'Keeffe biography. I enjoyed reading about the young Ansel Adams as well as the early days of San Francisco. Darznik blends fact and fiction to create an engrossing novel that I encourage you to read. ( )

Dorothea travels across the country to start a new life in San Francisco. Several years after the earthquake, the city is alive in a way that she has never experienced. Robbed of her savings, she meets Caroline Lee, a Chinese American who comes to her aid and quickly becomes her best friend. Together, Dorothea and Caroline create a portrait study catering to the rich and influential. When divorced and moody painter Maynard Dixon comes into her life, Dorothea quickly begins to fall for him. However, tragedy befalls Caroline, altering both Dorothea and Caroline's trajectory.

This was a fast, fun, and entertaining read. She really made the characters and storyline come to life. I would absolutely love to read more from this author, and can't wait for her next book. Overall, highly recommended. ( )

In 1918 Dorothea Lange arrives in San Francisco. She left New York with a small sum of money, her camera and a great deal of ambition. She arrives in SF with only her camera having been robbed on the ship. She doesn't know anyone, is desperate, doesn't know where to turn. All this will change when she meets Caroline Lee and is introduced to the Monkey building with its large occupancy of Bohemians.

A terrific read of the beginning career of a photographer who will become world renown. Her life, her struggles, her marriage and the prejudice she fought against those who thought a woman should not have a career. Much of this is factual and she did have an Asian asst. though Caroline herself, an amazing character is a fictional construct. SF is drawn in all it glory alongside it's ugliness. Bigotry against the Chinese is prevalent and strident. Something that is currently happening in our present day. We seem to never learn but keep repeating past mistakes.

This was a nostalgic read, a place and time gone by. People and places gone, the new built on top of the old. I don't read my friends reviews but I do look at their star ratings. So when I started reading this, after seeing all those 4 & 5 stars, I initially wasn't very impressed. By books end though I was singing, I fell in love with a book. And I did, I loved the characters, the history, the ending and the authors note. ( )

I can't say that I knew much about Dorothea Lange before reading this even though I was familiar with some of her work. This was a fictionalized book based upon her life. This does tend to concentrate on her childhood and early work. I had assumed it would really go into the work that she is most known for. While that is mentioned it only seems to be in passing. This really concentrates on her relationship with her assistant, Caroline, and with her first husband Maynard Dixon. While that was interesting I would like liked to have read more about her later work.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley. ( )