Art and Lies by Jeanette Winterson is a dense and profoundly intertextual work of fiction that presents three intertwining narratives involving characters named Handel, Picasso, and Sappho. The book challenges traditional storytelling standards by offering an assortment of prose and points of view, exploring themes of art, philosophy, life, beauty, humor, and obscenity. Winterson's writing is described as refreshing, creative, and insightful, with a focus on reimagining worn-out words and phrases to bring new life to storytelling.

The book delves into the power of words and art to rewrite lives shaped by trauma, pushing readers to engage actively with the text and interpret its intricate layers. While the writing is beautiful, it is acknowledged that Art and Lies is not an easy read, requiring effort and attention to unravel its complexities and appreciate its unconventional structure.

Characters:

The characters are deeply symbolic, each struggling with personal traumas and their relationships with art, encapsulating themes of loss, alienation, and the quest for meaning.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its lyrical, rich prose that prioritizes evocative language over conventional narrative techniques, resulting in a textured and often challenging read.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features three interconnected narratives that explore identity, art, and the trauma tied to their lives, all set against the backdrop of a high-speed train.

Setting:

The setting is primarily on a train hurtling through a dystopian England, allowing for a fluid exploration of time and space.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberately slow and dense, compelling readers to navigate through heavy philosophical reflections interspersed with moments of clarity.

FROM A DISTANCE only the light is visible, a speeding gleaming horizontal angel, trumpet out on a hard bend. The note bells. The note bells the beauty of the stretching train that pulls the light in a...

Notes:

Art and Lies is a novel by Jeanette Winterson that combines three intertwining narratives: Sappho, Picasso, and Handel.

The book doesn't follow a traditional narrative structure, focusing more on evocative language than plot.

Winterson believes reading is an interactive process, requiring effort from both the writer and the reader.

The novel explores themes of identity, artistry, trauma, and the power of words.

Art and Lies is set on a high-speed train, linking the characters in a single day and place while spanning centuries.

Handel is portrayed as an ex-priest turned surgeon, struggling with his humanity.

Picasso is depicted as a young woman driven to madness, finding solace in her painting.

Sappho is a famed lesbian poet from antiquity, alive through her verses.

The writing is often dense and poetic, challenging readers but also creating beauty.

Winterson herself acknowledges the book's complexity, referring to it as her most 'closed piece of work.'

Some readers find the book difficult yet rewarding, feeling the need for multiple readings to fully appreciate it.

The novel is often compared to a 'glazed cream clair' for its rich and sweet prose.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of trauma, mental illness, and existential despair, which may be challenging for some readers.

Has Romance?

Romantic elements are present but woven intricately into the broader themes of human connection and disconnection.

From The Publisher:

One of the most audacious and provocative writers on either side of the Atlantic now gives readers a dazzling, arousing, and wise improvisation on art, Eros, language, and identity. "A series of intense, artful musings that are exhilarating and visionary. . . . Unsettling yet strangely satisfying."-Newsday.

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About the Author:

A novelist whose honours include England's Whitbread Prize, and the American Academy' s E. M. Forster Award, as well as the Prix d'argent at the Cannes Film Festival, Jeanette Winterson burst onto the literary scene as a very young woman…

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