Christiane K. (Chamisa) reviewed on + 7 more book reviews
A British idealist and his German wife come to Taos, New Mexico in the early 20th century to start a new way of life. An aristocratic painter tags along. Loosely based on the story of D. H. Lawrence's time in New Mexico, Boaz renders the interplay between the newcomers, Native Americans, and Spanish in a rough and tumble era. The story is told from the point of view of Doll, the British painter (based on Lady Dorothy Brett), and it goes back and forth between three time periods. If you know some of the story of how Mabel Dodge came to Taos, married a Taos Indian, and created a salon which attracted eastern artists and writers, among them, Georgia O'Keefe, Willa Cather, and even Carl Jung, this book may seem somewhat over the top, but making Doll the center
of the story is a wonderful twist. If you don't know this history, the book still stands as a wonderful journey into the beginnings of the time when people started to attempt remake themselves in the enchanting southwest. The characterization of Doll is worth the read alone.
of the story is a wonderful twist. If you don't know this history, the book still stands as a wonderful journey into the beginnings of the time when people started to attempt remake themselves in the enchanting southwest. The characterization of Doll is worth the read alone.
