I'll be honest...I had a very hard time with this book in the beginning. I thought the main characters seemed pretty terrible and strange, and the story just wasn't moving along for me. I kept with it, and ended up enjoying the second half or so of the book much more than the first. I was still confused by the main characters relationship, and often wondered how they could really love each other the way they acted though. This book is kind of an ugly look at a marriage.
All in all, the last half helped make up for the first half in my eyes. It helped raise my rating from 2 to 2 1/2 stars.
All in all, the last half helped make up for the first half in my eyes. It helped raise my rating from 2 to 2 1/2 stars.
The prose in this book is exquisite; the author is obviously very talented. This portrait of a marriage with a touch of thriller starts off with a bang. It lags in the middle, but has a shocking and hart-breaking ending.
Life Drawing deals with the consequences of betrayal. Augusta (Gus) and Owen are leading a secluded life to pursue their individual creative efforts and to continue healing after an adulterous affair threatened their marriage. The arrival of a new neighbor, Alison, interrupts and forever alters their solitary existence. Alison's attempt at recovery in seclusion is from an abusive marriage, and she quickly bonds with the reclusive Gus. Alison's grown daughter, Nora, becomes an integral part of their lives when she arrives for a visit. I had to suspend disbelief at Alison's tacit approval of Nora's involvement with Owen and her facile sharing of confidences with an obviously immature daughter. This is an easily-read book with a shocking conclusion. I am grateful to LibraryThing for allowing me to read this book as an Early Reviewer.
