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eBook editions

The Forest Lover

by Susan Vreeland

The Forest Lover Cover

ISBN13: 9780143034308
ISBN10: 0143034308
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

 

Review-A-Day

"Vreeland has found perhaps the most appropriate venue yet to express her own exuberant feminism and spirituality. What's more, by immersing herself in Carr's extensive writings, Vreeland has picked up the tenor of the painter's language — her eclectic mysticism, emotional devotion, and single-mindedness. The result is a life story that's sympathetic to a fault." Ron Charles, Christian Science Monitor (read the entire Christian Science Monitor review)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

It was Emily Carr (1871–1945) — not Georgia O'Keeffe or Frida Kahlo — who first blazed a path for modern women artists. Overcoming the confines of late Victorian culture, Carr became a major force in modern art. Her boldly original landscapes are praised today for capturing an untamed British Columbia — and its indigenous peoples — just before industrialization would change it forever.

In her latest novel, Susan Vreeland brings to life this fiercely independent and underappreciated figure. From illegal potlatches in tribal communities to prewar Paris, where her art was exhibited in the famed Salon d'Automne, Carr's story is as arresting as it is vibrant. Vreeland tells it with gusto and suspense, giving vivid portraits of Carr and the unconventional people to whom she was inevitably drawn: Sophie, a native basket maker; Harold, the son of missionaries, who embraces indigenous cultures; Fanny, a New Zealand artist who spends a summer with Carr painting in the French countryside; and Claude, a French fur trader who steals her heart. The result is a glorious novel that will appeal to lovers of art, native cultures, and lush historical fiction.

Review:

"[Vreeland's] robust narrative should do much to establish Carr's significance in the world of modern art." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"[Vreeland's] dramatic depictions of Carr's daunting solo journeys, arduous artistic struggle, persistent loneliness, and despair over the tragic fate of the endangered people she came to love truly are provocative and moving." Booklist

Review:

"A sensitive, sober account of an interesting woman and her times, narrated with respect for the factual record and a minimum of heavy breathing." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"The Forest Lover has many strengths. Vreeland movingly conveys Carr's quest to understand and convey in paint the essence of Northwest forests and native culture. Carr's friendship with Sophie Frank draws her (and the reader) into a very personal understanding of the horrific cost of the attacks on native people and their way of life." Oregonian

Synopsis:

In her acclaimed novels, Susan Vreeland has given us portraits of painting and life that are as dazzling as their artistic subjects. Now, in The Forest Lover, she traces the courageous life and career of Emily Carr, who?more than Georgia O?Keeffe or Frida Kahlo?blazed a path for modern women artists. Overcoming the confines of Victorian culture, Carr became a major force in modern art by capturing an untamed British Columbia and its indigenous peoples just before industrialization changed them forever. From illegal potlatches in tribal communities to artists? studios in pre?World War I Paris, Vreeland tells her story with gusto and suspense, giving us a glorious novel that will appeal to lovers of art, native cultures, and lush historical fiction.

Synopsis:

Vreeland's third novel focuses on the courageous Canadian painter Emily Carr, who blazed a path for modern women by overcoming the confines of Victorian culture. Carr traveled through native villages and wilderness of British Columbia in the early 1900s, often alone, on a quest to paint totem poles and other artifacts before the indigenous traditions died out and the poles were destroyed or sold.

About the Author

Susan Vreeland's is the bestselling author of Girl in Hyacinth Blue, The Passion of Artemisis, and The Forest Lover. Her short fiction has appeared in journals such as the Missouri Review, New England Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, and Tri-Quarterly.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

readericious, September 20, 2011 (view all comments by readericious)
I love this book! While reading it I learned about the Pacific Northwest and it's Native American people. The obstacles Emily faced were daunting while her relatives and friends were so well written I felt like I knew them. The recognition and appreciation she deserved was withheld too long due to a sexist, insular society which was not ready for her or her subject matter.
Susan Vreeland is an amazing writer who took me on a trip to a place I will never forget. I experienced romance, laughter, tears and finally the realisation of a life well lived. The characterisations of people are so well written they came alive. I have been inspired by this book. If I win the lottery, I would immediately purchase one of Ms Carr's totem pole paintings. They are alive and vivid and several would never have been preserved if she had not painted them. Mutual respect, curiosity and admiration for other cultures was integral to her personality. I could not stop reading this book. It impacted me on a visceral level which happens so rarely it is never forgotten. Don't miss it!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
fivefoottwo_eyesofblue, January 17, 2008 (view all comments by fivefoottwo_eyesofblue)
I found this book an excellent read. It gave a wonderful account & insight into the life & times of Emily Carr at a time in history where a woman like Emily had to be exceptionally brave, courageous , determined & strongwilled. Since I live in British Columbia, I was thouroughly enjoying the descriptions of our cities from an earlier era.

I would highly recomend this book to all, & am heading out now to try & obtain more of this author's works. Thank You & happy reading to all!
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(3 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780143034308
Author:
Vreeland, Susan
Publisher:
Penguin Books
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Historical - General
Subject:
Biographical fiction
Subject:
Women painters
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Trade Paper
Publication Date:
20041231
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
464
Dimensions:
7.40x4.50x1.17 in. .83 lbs.
Age Level:
from 18

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Related Aisles

The Forest Lover Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.50 In Stock
Product details 464 pages Penguin Books - English 9780143034308 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "[Vreeland's] robust narrative should do much to establish Carr's significance in the world of modern art." Publishers Weekly
"Review A Day" by , "Vreeland has found perhaps the most appropriate venue yet to express her own exuberant feminism and spirituality. What's more, by immersing herself in Carr's extensive writings, Vreeland has picked up the tenor of the painter's language — her eclectic mysticism, emotional devotion, and single-mindedness. The result is a life story that's sympathetic to a fault." (read the entire Christian Science Monitor review)
"Review" by , "[Vreeland's] dramatic depictions of Carr's daunting solo journeys, arduous artistic struggle, persistent loneliness, and despair over the tragic fate of the endangered people she came to love truly are provocative and moving."
"Review" by , "A sensitive, sober account of an interesting woman and her times, narrated with respect for the factual record and a minimum of heavy breathing."
"Review" by , "The Forest Lover has many strengths. Vreeland movingly conveys Carr's quest to understand and convey in paint the essence of Northwest forests and native culture. Carr's friendship with Sophie Frank draws her (and the reader) into a very personal understanding of the horrific cost of the attacks on native people and their way of life."
"Synopsis" by ,
In her acclaimed novels, Susan Vreeland has given us portraits of painting and life that are as dazzling as their artistic subjects. Now, in The Forest Lover, she traces the courageous life and career of Emily Carr, who?more than Georgia O?Keeffe or Frida Kahlo?blazed a path for modern women artists. Overcoming the confines of Victorian culture, Carr became a major force in modern art by capturing an untamed British Columbia and its indigenous peoples just before industrialization changed them forever. From illegal potlatches in tribal communities to artists? studios in pre?World War I Paris, Vreeland tells her story with gusto and suspense, giving us a glorious novel that will appeal to lovers of art, native cultures, and lush historical fiction.

"Synopsis" by , Vreeland's third novel focuses on the courageous Canadian painter Emily Carr, who blazed a path for modern women by overcoming the confines of Victorian culture. Carr traveled through native villages and wilderness of British Columbia in the early 1900s, often alone, on a quest to paint totem poles and other artifacts before the indigenous traditions died out and the poles were destroyed or sold.

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