Still Life

  4 Reviews

It is the unlikeliest of connections - Ulysses Temper, a young British soldier and Evelyn Skinner, a sixty-four-year-old art historian - and in the unlikeliest of meeting places - the wine cellar of a Tuscan villa that is being bombed towards the end of WWII.

But it is a connection that has a profound effect on Ulysses in the decades ahead as he and his friends and family create a new life in Florence, far from London's East End.

Celebrating beauty, love and art, this satisfying story of Ulysses and Evelyn's intertwined lives is brimming with beautifully drawn characters living life to the full.

Comments from BDS Reviewers

"A very satisfying read."

"I loved everything about this book. The characters so beautifully drawn, the love and friendship, the descriptions of Florence and the art works, the food, the music and the joy."

"Wonderful characters. Not too many, not too few."

"Delightful, charming and heart-warming, and thankfully no saccharine."

"There are emotional highs and lows but it is not emotionally manipulative."

"The characters can make the reader smile, laugh and even cry."

"This is a solid read, but definitely worth it. It should appeal to readers who have grown up with stories of life during and after World War II when life was slow to become easier."

"The interaction between the characters is reminiscent of Steinbeck's 'Cannery Row'."

Reviews

KURO 001

16-03-2023

The first few pages don't really grab but after a few pages you sort out the characters and are hooked. Lack of speech marks was a little annoying, however an enjoyable read.

DUNED 111

13-03-2023

Half our group loved this book and half couldn't relate to it. 6 of us LOVED the writing and humour. Lovely story of friends who care for each other and lived their lives.

CULV 001

06-03-2023

We shared mixed feelings about the book. Some people got only to the 1st part (still in London) and others who kept reading really enjoyed it.

It was an artwork, full of life, friendship, art, food, poetry and literacy.

This book is beautifully written, bringing smells and tastes of Italy to the reader spanning thirty years of the lives of a group of wonderfully drawn disparate characters.

A long book (for book club) as Sarah Winman gave a lot of details, but a great getaway book.

AUCK 352

02-03-2023

Most loved this. Characters 'well drawn' and very well developed relationships. Quite 'lilting' in the way it is written with some very realistic male conversations. Rather fantastical in many ways.