The Flames
Author: Sophie Haydock
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Genre: Historical Fiction
Year of release: 2022
Release Date: 16th March 2022
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Synopsis
Every painting tells a story, but what if the women on the canvas could talk…
ADELE: passionate, fierce, obstinate. The daughter of a bourgeois family in 1900s Vienna, she rails against the strictures of her class and longs for freedom.
GERTRUDE: spirited, single-minded, possessive. The sister to budding artist Egon Schiele, she longs for an exciting life away from their tempestuous family home.
VALLY: determined, independent, proud. A model for celebrated artist Gustav Klimt, she has carved her way out of poverty and is now forging a brave new path for herself.
EDITH: quiet, conventional, loyal. Or is she? Younger sister to Adele, Edith is overlooked and wonders if there is another version of the woman she might become.
Four flames, four wild, blazing hearts, longing to be known. All four will become muses to the charismatic but controversial artist Egon Schiele. In an elegant bohemian city like Vienna, everything seems possible – until an act of betrayal changes everything. For just as a flame has the power to mesmerize, it can also destroy everything in its path . . .
Review
Every painting tells a story, or should that be, every muse might have a story to tell? Vienna is just welcoming the 20thcentury, the city is viewed by many as the city suited for those with wealth, art and music can be found around every corner. Egon Schiele is at long last making a name for himself in the art world, a world that opens every door that is available if you’re a man.
Four women are more than willing to become the flames of Egon Schiele’s paintings each one developing strong feelings of love and admiration for the controversial artist, but will these women remain the same after they’ve sat for the moody artist or will the art, he brings to life put a lasting stain on each of their lives? Is it a privilege to be a muse or better to be an observer?
Before I read this book I knew nothing of the Austrian expressionist painter, Egon Schiele nor Adele, Gertrude, Vally, and Edith his muses at the centre of his paintings, so I was curious and a little worried to add this to my pile as I’m not knowledgeable in the art world; but it turns out I had nothing to fear as so much of this book is written in such a way you don’t need to know anything about the arts to appreciate this book. The Author has succeeded to weave fact into fiction and implementing one of this reviewer’s favourite writing techniques Dual Perspective a hook that will always make me read a book.
The Flames has some of the most memorable characters I’ve come across in the books I have already read in 2022 I felt as if I knew each of the women not just as Schiele’s muses but as individuals, I found all characters three dimensional and even though I didn’t love all the characters I did find them interesting and well suited for the plotline.
In Gertrude’s younger years I found her admiration of her older brother somewhat touching, but as the story progressed, I believe this detail made for a somewhat uncomfortable reading; even if she envied his freedom and admired his artwork it just felt a bit off putting to be that enamoured with a sibling.
This reader became somewhat greedy in the closing chapters feeling as if I needed more time or perhaps even a different ending for Adele Harms, I still can’t help but feel she got the raw end of the stick all way around.
The Flames has plenty of plot to unveil a welcome detail if you’re like me an avid reader of the Historical Fiction genre the plot pacing will be a welcome addition to your time amongst these pages, but if you’re not one for a lot of stories split up over a long period of time it could possibly feel like the book is never ending which is something to keep in mind.
Only a couple of details were predicted before they took place but that’s because of the period rather than the Authors writing skills, having now finished the book I will say I still find myself letting my mind wonder to these people and it’s because of this I can safety say without a doubt this was most defiantly an enjoyable read.
I’d describe The Flames like a Historical Romance as the forbidden love trope plays a considerable part in this book.
The Flames has a strong ending as I mention above, so much detail is covered by the time you reach the closing chapters you soon see there really is no other detail to cover and this makes for a satisfying conclusion. Overall, I’m pleased to say I added this to my library, and I can safely say I highly recommend this book to a mature audience readers of Historical Fiction should investigate adding this book to their bookshelf.
