The Artist - Book Review
Genre: Historical fiction | Contemporary fiction
Author: Lucy Steeds
Year: 2025
Pages: 292 (paperback proof copy)
I was initially intrigued by the premise of The Artist and the focus on art - my interest in this book in part stems from my creative background studying art and photography at school. I even studied art all the way through my schooling, from when I started primary school to my final year of secondary school. Because of this, I really appreciated the descriptions of the setting and artistic pursuits, and I think art lovers in particular will really enjoy and appreciate Steeds’ carefully thought out prose.
Provence, 1920. Aspiring journalist Joseph is invited to the house of reclusive painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe. Ettie silently moves through the house, as she always has, creating the perfect conditions every day to make her uncle’s genius possible.
Over one sweltering summer, everyone’s true colours will be revealed. Because Ettie is ready to be seen, even if it means setting her world on fire.
I absolutely adored this book, and I feel that no matter what I write, I won’t be able to do this story justice. I find it so hard to believe The Artist is Steeds’ debut novel; each word seems so carefully used to craft a beautifully immersive tale.
And The Artist is such an atmospheric read; you can really feel the claustrophobic heat and haze of summer in the French countryside, the stench of rotting food, the textures of the canvas, the paints, the longing of the characters to break free from their confines. The Artist provided a great means of transport to warmer climates as I sat reading this in the middle of winter here in the UK. The characters feel real and alive on the page - the aftermath of The Great War really grounds Joseph as a character and the mysterious nature of Ettie adds to the reader’s intrigue of the character. I knew about 40 pages in that this was going to be a fantastic debut, and I wasn’t wrong. I didn’t want to put the book down.
The Artist is such a nuanced story; there’s so much more to the story than what you can see on the surface. It’s a beautifully written, complex tale about two characters struggling in isolation, loneliness and grief. Both protagonists are well-rounded and portrayed so realistically.
The Artist was such an enjoyable read and I’m so sad to have finished it. I’m keen to see what else Steeds writes next.
For my art lovers out there, if you’re looking for another book that blends your artistic and bookish passions, I highly recommend checking out I, Mona Lisa by Natasha Solomons - it’s a sweeping historical tale told from the perspective of the Mona Lisa painting.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
*The Artist will be published in the UK on 30th January 2025. A big thank you to John Murray Press (imprint of Hachette) for sending my colleague an extra proof so she could give me her extra copy - I’m so glad I got the chance to read it early (this post isn’t sponsored, I just wanted to rave about this lovely book!)