Drawing Lessons: 08/04/20

Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands is about a woman taking a trip to Provence after a year of caring for her husband who was diagnosed with a rapid form of dementia. Arianna attends a two week long artists retreat.

After a slow start that lingers over Ariana and Ben's relationship, marriage, children, and his rapid decline, the novel settles into a delightful armchair tour of the landscape that inspired Van Gough. If you have any artistic inclinations, you will find yourself inspired to paint or draw.

Besides renewing her love of art and finding the creative energy to express herself after years spent with running a restaurant and being a parent, Arianna also finds love. Here's where I disagree with what's essentially the third act.

Yes, Ben isn't the man she spent her adult life with. Yes, he never will be again. Yes, he will probably die soon. But she's still married to him. If this new love of her life is the real deal, he would be willing to wait the few months for her. Shouldn't she go home to at least get her old life in order and possibly bury her husband before starting a new relationship in another country?

Four stars

Comments (0)

Comment #1: Thursday, August 06, 2020 at 14:56:14

Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out

I would have trouble with the premise of the third act too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Comment #2: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 21:16:00

Pussreboots

If you stop the book before her side trek, it's a good book. Thanks for the comment.