A chance meeting with a charismatic photographer will forever change Elizabeth’s life. Until she met Richard, Elizabeth’s relationship with Georgia O’Keeffe and her little-known Hawaii paintings was purely academic. Now it’s personal. Richard tells Elizabeth that the only way she can truly understand O’Keeffe isn’t with her mind—it’s by getting into O’Keeffe’s skin and reenacting her famous nude … nude photos. In the intimacy of Richard’s studio, Elizabeth experiences a new, intoxicating abandon and fullness. It never occurs to her that the photographs might be made public, especially without her consent. Desperate to avoid exposure—she’s a rising star in the academic world and the mother of young children—Elizabeth demands that Richard dismantle the exhibit. But he refuses. The pictures are his art. His property, not hers. As word of the photos spreads, Elizabeth unwittingly becomes a feminist heroine to her students, who misunderstand her motives in posing. To the university, however, her actions are a public scandal. To her husband, they’re a public humiliation. Yet Richard has reawakened an awareness that’s haunted Elizabeth since she was a child—the truth that cerebral knowledge will never be enough. Now she must face the question: How much is she willing to risk to be truly seen and known?
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An artist strokes on canvas, beauty and form delivering dreams of far away places, deserts, island paradises all cascading into a woman’s life that’s about to change is within the story line of Barbara Lin Probst book “Queen of Owls”.
A past life becomes juxtaposed with a modern women’s life, her world changes from her own research into Georgia O’Keefe. Her family, schooling and relationships with others morphs into a reflection of the artist’s life. But how closely does it follow, what becomes of this lady who has been so influenced by another’s remarkable life?
Probst has done a remarkable job with imagery that relates her story so vividly. Through out her book one is drawn in by the descriptive language used. Her characters are engaging and help relate the story in a personal way to the reader.
This is a book that would grace any library. I encourage everyone to obtain a copy for themselves.
I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
BOOK REVIEW: (ARC)
Queen of the Owls by author, Barbara Linn Probst
“A chance meeting with a charismatic photographer will forever change Elizabeth’s life.”
Queen of the Owls is an impressive story~ one of self-discovery and transition. You’ll find yourself on an intimate and intriguing journey of one womans need to “see and be seen” as she navigates her way through marriage, motherhood, teaching, and on to the risks she’s willing to take to become the woman she wants to be, the one she’s meant to be. All leading her to the unexpected.
As an Art History Ph.D. candidate, Elizabeth’s studies and teachings have led her into the exploration of artist, Georgia O’Keefe. But as her research probes into the depths of O’Keefe’s complexities, she finds herself dealing with more than her share of unique situations…
A thought-provoking, well written narrative that fills the pages and sparks the emotions with lifes curiosities, excitement, choices and the importance of self~ one Ms. Probst has brought deep meaning and beauty to.
4 Stars
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Bravo to Barbara Linn Probst on her debut novel. This is not normally a genre I would choose to read. As I started to read it, didn’t think I would like it. Starts out as a book about art history and photography. As I continued to read, I realized this book could describe many women. The protagonist, Elizabeth was in a marriage that she “existed”. Her and her husband Ben, a lawyer and a Vietnam vet, had a relationship that was more like “friends with occasional benefits” of lackluster dutiful sex. As Elizabeth works on her dissertation, she is studying the life and career of Georgia O’Keefe and her photographer husband. When she meets a photographer named Richard, she falls for him thinking the my have something special. Her life begins to model O’Keefe’s in many ways. Elizabeth longed for more though she had no idea what it was she was searching for. She falls “in lust” to Richard’s manipulation and becomes his pawn without realizing it. The circumstances that happen will now cause trouble in her marriage, her career and as a mother. The storyline for me was very predictable and for me, showed a woman who was selfish and weak and allow herself to be manipulated while searching for who she was and what she wanted from life. I think the book would allow women to think about what they would be willing to risk while searching for themselves. At what point do you sacrifice yourself for someone or something else? What could be the consequences and could you live with them? What would you risk to be seen, to be alive? At what point do we stop wanting more for ourselves or should we put ourselves first? Is it worth the risk of your husband and family… a career you have worked so hard for? The book was interesting and thought provoking.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book with no promise of a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are honest and are my own.
A beautifully written, realistic and empathetic exploration of woman’s quest for personal fulfillment.
Barbara Linn Probst, Author of “Queen of the Owls” has written an intriguing and enthralling novel. I especially appreciate Barbara Linn Probst’s observations of the Art of painting and photography and symbolic meaning. The Genres for this novel are Literary Fiction and Dramatic Fiction. The story takes place in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters and events.
Elizabeth, is a wife, doctoral student, teacher, and mother of two young children. Her dissertation is on the life of artist Georgia O’Keefe, and the period of her life when she was in Hawaii and her paintings. Elizabeth becomes very conscious of other married couples’ affections, and her husband’s lack of affection. At the same time, Elizabeth becomes obsessed with Georgia O’Keefe’s relationship with a photographer, who used her pictures to express her feelings. The photographer also has an idea of how to utilize this idea.
Coincidentally, Elizabeth meets a photographer who seems to get her feelings of Georgia O’Keefe and takes pictures of Elizabeth in the same poses that Georgia O’Keefe had done. Elizabeth is so intent on her expressing herself, she doesn’t realize that they will be shown in public. How will she handle showing her private feelings?
Elizabeth is a teacher and talks about women and art. She never realizes that her students will see her pose. What will she risk and gain by doing this?
I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of a woman’s role in society, and the importance of family, friends, and colleagues. This is a thought-provoking novel that connects, art and media with emotions. It is a story of sisters, love, hope and making choices. I would highly recommend this unique novel.
Add this one to your spring reading list! Available April 7th, pre-order now!
Queen Of The Owls by Barbara Linn Probst
is the story of Elizabeth, a doctoral candidate, wife and mother who appears to have it all. Always keeping up appearances, no one could guess how lonely and dissatisfied she’s feeling in her marriage, that she’s on a potential fast track to disaster. Or, that losing everything might just lead to the true fulfillment she’s been seeking.
Choosing a segment of artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s career for her dissertation, she feels it important to immerse herself in all areas of O’Keeffe’s life to hopefully gain insight, better understand the work from the artist’s point of view. Becoming increasingly dissatisfied in her own life, she becomes drawn to the nudes taken by Georgia’s then boyfriend Alfred Steiglitz. The idea of stripping one’s self bare and shamelessly looking into the lens for all to see, to become someone no one could deny, became fascinating.
A chance meeting with a attractive photographer and conversations with him about the O’Keefe photos made it all the more tempting. But as her interest grew with both the photos and the photographer, her need to give in, to feel completely alive, grew as well. While the experience might temporarily satisfy her growing personal need for validation, would it be worth the cost? Or, is she simply an unhappy woman giving in to the temptation of an affair with a handsome man?
Most women will find something to identify with in this book, fans of Georgia O’Keeffe as well as those who have never heard of her. This story touches on a woman’s relationship as wife, mother, sister, teacher, student. Educated and naive. Strong, confident, timid and unsure. Being a woman is complex, no one aspect can over ride the others. Except perhaps the need to be true to herself, regardless of consequence.
This is an insightful well written, well researched book that speaks to the complexities of today’s woman. I recommend for any woman who’s struggled with meeting internal and external expectations, while still honoring their personal needs and desires.
I recieved this book by the author. I was so excited to read it for almost 6 months but when I recieved it and started to read it, I got lost a few times and felt like parts would go on forever.
Sorry but I felt like there was too much detail on how people feel n think.
It was a great ending. Anyone who enjoys feeling like you are there should read this book.