INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“A must-read for anyone who loves history and art.” –Kristin HannahFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the smash bestseller Orphan Train, a stunning and atmospheric novel of friendship, passion, and art, inspired by Andrew Wyeth’s mysterious and iconic painting Christina’s World. “Later he told me that he’d been afraid to show me the painting. He … iconic painting Christina’s World.
“Later he told me that he’d been afraid to show me the painting. He thought I wouldn’t like the way he portrayed me: dragging myself across the field, fingers clutching dirt, my legs twisted behind. The arid moonscape of wheatgrass and timothy. That dilapidated house in the distance, looming up like a secret that won’t stay hidden.”
To Christina Olson, the entire world was her family’s remote farm in the small coastal town of Cushing, Maine. Born in the home her family had lived in for generations, and increasingly incapacitated by illness, Christina seemed destined for a small life. Instead, for more than twenty years, she was host and inspiration for the artist Andrew Wyeth, and became the subject of one of the best known American paintings of the twentieth century.
As she did in her beloved smash bestseller Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline interweaves fact and fiction in a powerful novel that illuminates a little-known part of America’s history. Bringing into focus the flesh-and-blood woman behind the portrait, she vividly imagines the life of a woman with a complicated relationship to her family and her past, and a special bond with one of our greatest modern artists.
Told in evocative and lucid prose, A Piece of the World is a story about the burdens and blessings of family history, and how artist and muse can come together to forge a new and timeless legacy.
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This imaginative story of the woman portrayed in Andrew Wyeth’s “Christina’s World” is heartbreaking but also inspirational.
Christina Olson was truly a remarkable person in many ways. Her increasing disability brought on by a rare genetic disease did not dissuade her from living a difficult rural life at the beginning of the last century. Always the dutiful daughter, she cared for infirm parents while doing the many manual tasks of every day life, cooking, cleaning, sewing and putting by food needed to survive the harsh Maine winters.
Her relationship with Andrew Wyeth was particularly interesting. Both suffered from disability and each had an artistic sensibility. Both saw a beauty in the austerity of rural life and his iconic portrait brings that feeling to the forefront.
It’s a thought provoking book and a glimpse of rural America at the turn of the last century.
On of the best historical fiction’s I have ever read. Can’t Wait to read more by this author.
Didn’t want it to end. Learning about Andrew Wyeth’s profound artistic talent and understanding Cristina’s world was fascinating to read!
I’ve seen the painting and wondered about the backstory. This novel puts an explanation out here that engages and offers some context for the painting. I loved the characters.
I enjoyed learning about the women in the painting, Christina’s World.
Great read about a lady who was real but this was a fictional account of her life .She was featured in Andrew Wyeth ‘s paintings.I never looked at a painting and understood the subject better.
Loved reading the back story about the artist Andrew Wyeth and this amazing woman. Compelling and inspiring
One of the best books I have read. Any fan of Wyeth should read this book.
It is the story of Andrew Wyeth and his painting Christine’s World. He spent most summers in Maine and was a friend of Christine’s and her brother. Good story about a great painting.
Couldn’t get into it
Enjoyed the characters….
Loved this book. I was born and lived in Maine most of my life an was always fascinated wit Andrew Wyatt’s Art and Christina’s World . The book was written so well that I was captivated by Christina’s life
This is an exceptional glimpse into the circumstances and relationship between Andrew Wyeth and his muse, Christina Olson. It is plausible, informative and heart wrenching.
This book is based on real people. I love historical fiction so I enjoyed it. The characters and story are very believable and likable. It is a little depressing at times, but also inspirational.
Characters who resemble real life in all its challenges and strength in the face of them.
I’ve always wanted to know more about “Christina’s World.” We’d just returner from a cruise off the Maine coast including a stop in Rockland and the Farnsworth. Perfect time to explore the Wyeths.
My book club read this book & felt they learned a lot about the artist & his model.
I had the chance to discuss this book with fellow writing retreaters. For a break from our work, we took a field-trip to the Brandywine River Museum of Art to see Andrew Wyeth’s (one of the major characters in the book) artwork as well as that of his entire artistic family. Going to that exquisite museum and seeing a portion of the family’s body of work really added to what I understood and found compelling about the novel, and also what I liked and feel is compelling about the Wyeth family business. But, the novel’s central character isn’t Wyeth, it’s Christina, the model for one of his most famous paintings, Christina’s World. Her life is revealed as profoundly sad, but also at times hopeful, and always realistic. Her physical limitations make her fascinating and shape how she responds to everything around her from the love of her life, to family, to friends like Betsy who ends up marrying Andrew Wyeth, to Wyeth himself.
Like Andrew’s art is shaped by his immediate world–whatever was right in front of his nose he has the ability to travel and experience a variety of places. In contrast, Christina lives an extraordinarily small existence, rarely leaving her family home/property. Some of the incredible limitations are put upon her and reveal her strength and some of the difficulties seem to be magnified by her choices. Her friendship with Wyeth provides a view into his process, his character, his finished projects. It’s a great book, although it is dark due to its authenticity. So worth the read.
Lyrical writing that weaves a small story into something wonderful
If you are lke me and admire the artwork of Andrew Wyeth, you must read this book. I have visited the Olson house in Maine. This book brings it to life, much like Wyeth’s art. I felt as if I were there with Christina and Andrew.