Guest poster december 2, 2010 i read vanora bennett s book, portrait of an unknown woman and immediately started looking up her other books. It tells the story of a woman, liberally educated for that time, and her relationships with her adoptive father, her husband, and a. Over the course of the next six years, holbein paints two nearly identical portraits of the more family, his dear and loyal friends. Portrait of an unknown woman, begins with hans holbein arriving to paint the family of sir thomas more. Portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett librarything. Site includes bibliography and brief author biography. Portrait of an unknown woman a novel by vanora bennett. Portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett about the book the year is 1527. Vanora bennett in an epic tale set against a backdrop of civilwar torn sixteenthcentury europe, portraitist hans holbein the younger flees to the safety of tudor england in order to escape artistic censorship. In vanora bennetts novel portrait of an unknown woman, kings confidante sir thomas more and portraitist hans holbein safeguard a. The heart has secrets, but the canvas betrays desire the year is 1527. The english renaissance is in full swing under the young king henry viii. Portrait of an unknown woman is an intelligent, thoughtful and interesting historical novel which weaves a vivid, whatif fictional story around the beautiful and.
Central to the storyline is a young woman who meant much to both of them. Vanora bennett born 1962 is a british author and awardwinning journalist bennett grew up in london, the eldest daughter of the flute player william bennett and the cellist rhuna martin, and read russian and french at the university of oxford. Portrait of an unknown woman ebook by vanora bennett. The great portraitist hans holbein, who has fled the reformation in europe, is making his first trip t.
Buy a cheap copy of portrait of an unknown woman book by vanora bennett. Accessories such as cd, codes, toys, and dust jackets may not be included. Normally when i fall in love with a book that is not its official version, i will buy it once it hits the shelvesbut not this one. She has a wonderful writing style, and gives some valuable advice for other writers out there. Vanora bennett born 1962 is a british author and awardwinning journalist. Portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett overdrive.
Intelligent, headstrong, and tenderhearted, meg has been schooled in the healing arts. Meg griggs is a ward of sir thomas and the beginning is told in the first person through her eyes. Based on the rise and fall of humanist author and statesman sir thomas more during the english reformation and the german. Portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett goodreads. Firsts book of the week, 2006 bennett creates a vivid mental life for one of historys. The story primarily focuses on thomas mores foster daughter, meg griggs, but bennett also gives the reader a realistic peak. The young german painter hans holbein, who has come to london to seek his fortune, is delighted when he gets a commission to paint the family of thomas more, one of englands leading statesman and men of learning, at his country home in chelsea. Portrait of an unknown woman, by vanora bennett the. Portrait of an unknown woman historical novel society. I loved this book, and immediately wanted to rush off and look at holbeins paintings.
Vanora bennett s portrait of an unknown woman is a fascinating, well researched historical novel about two 16th century men, sir thomas more and artist hans holbein. It is the story of a young woman on the brink of sensual awakening and of a country on the edge of mayhem. I read vanora bennetts book, portrait of an unknown woman and immediately started looking up her other books. Book recommendations for people who like portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett. Now, they take centrestage, nudging literary fiction back to the wings. The great portraitist hans holbein, who has fled the reformation in europe, is making his first trip to england under commission to sir thomas more. Vanora bennetts portrait of an unknown woman is a fascinating, well researched historical novel about two 16th century men, sir thomas more and artist hans holbein. This imaginative look into the lives of the more family, embedded as they were into the very heart of the religious wars that forever changed english culture, appears to have been grounded upon analysis of the composition of the more. If you liked portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett, here are some books like this. That, unfortunately, was the case with portrait of an unknown woman.
Portrait of an unknown woman reading group choices. Possible ex library copy, with all the markingsstickers of that library. Read portrait of an unknown woman a novel by vanora bennett available from rakuten kobo. Portrait of an unknown woman mingles art, politics and family drama to evoke the period when humanism was taking root in england. She lives in north london with her husband and two children. I dont really know why they called it portrait of an unknown woman since the art aspect of it played precious little role in the book over all. You know how when you discover a new author, you just want to go back and read everything they have written. In this, journalist vanora bennetts first novel, meg giggs, adopted daughter of sir thomas more, springs brilliantly to life. It was an arc and the cover art was not used on the finished version. Portrait of an unknown woman a novel by vanora bennett isbn. List of books by author vanora bennett thriftbooks. As the protestant reformation sweeps across europe to lap at englands shores, relations between her king and the catholic church. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.
Mar 29, 2007 the heart has secrets, but the canvas betrays desire. In the year 1527, the great portraitist hans holbein, fleeing the protestant reformation, comes to england under commission to sir thomas more. Portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett, 9780007224937, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Pages contain marginal notes, underlining, and or highlighting. Review of portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett. See all books authored by vanora bennett, including portrait of an unknown woman, and the white russian, and more on thriftbooks. Portrait of an unknown woman large print book, 2007. Historical novels once lurked in despised corners labelled genre fiction. The heart has secrets, but the canvas betrays desire. Romance, intrigue, politics, religion and art come together in vanora bennett s first novel, set against the backdrop of 16th century england at a time when protestants, catholics and humanists were set on a collision course. Inna feldman has fled the pogroms of the south to take refuge with distant relatives in russias capital. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Each plays a part in one young woman s fight for survival, and for love, in revolutionary russia.
Halfway through the book, there is a say what moment, and im not sharing. Portrait of an unknown woman audiobook by vanora bennett. Vanora bennett has books on goodreads with 26273 ratings. Vanora bennett author vanora bennett is a journalist and writer.
Portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett, 9780061252563, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Atwoods take on portrait of an unknown woman the background for this taut historical novel is the uneasy reign of henry viii and the pursuit of the kings great matter, a divorce from catherine of aragon to marry anne boleyn. In the course of six years, holbein will become a close friend to the more family and paint two nearly identical family portraits. Click here to view a trailer for portrait of an unknown woman. Vanora bennett s most popular book is portrait of an unknown woman. A fascinating tale, skilfully told and highly recommended. A wellresearched, totally plausible, engrossing what if story of one of englands most influential families. Vanora bennetts portrait of an unknown woman is a fascinating, well researched historical novel about two 16th century men, sir thomas more and artist hans. Click here to watch a video of vanora bennett discussing the history behind portrait of an unknown woman. Vanora bennett is the author of two acclaimed novels, portrait of an unknown woman and figures in silk, and an awardwinning journalist. At the center of portrait of an unknown woman is meg giggs, sir thomas mores 23yearold adopted daughter. Portrait of an unknown woman book by vanora bennett. Books by vanora bennett author of portrait of an unknown woman.
With a striking sense of period detail portrait of an unknown woman is an unforgettable story of sin and religion, desire and deception. Bennett grew up in london, the eldest daughter of the flute player william bennett and the cellist rhuna martin, and read russian and french at the university of oxford. Each plays a part in one young womans fight for survival, and for love, in revolutionary russia. Set against the turmoil, intrigue and, tragedy of henry viiis court, portrait of an unknown woman vividly evokes 16thcentury england on the verge of enormous change. In vanora bennett s novel portrait of an unknown woman, kings confidante sir thomas more and portraitist hans holbein safeguard a secret that. Vanora bennetts romping debut offers a portrait of the artist, hans holbein. In portrait of an unknown woman, vanora bennett brings some humanity, flaws and all, to the cardboard image.
Vanora bennetts most popular book is portrait of an unknown woman. Vanora bennett faberge jewels, the mysterious rasputin, and a priceless violin. Portrait of an unknown woman book central rappahannock. Portrait of an unknown woman, by vanora bennett the independent. In the course of six years, holbein will become a close friend to the. Portrait of an unknown woman vanora bennett author. Beginning in 1527, we get to know the family of sir thomas more through the eyes of one of his wards, margaret meg griggs. Portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett kirkus. Portrait of an unknown woman audiobook vanora bennett. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. An obsession with russia and caviar, bennett proves equally adept at breathing life into a novel of the turbulent period. Portrait of the unknown woman by vanora bennett i just hate it when a good book ends in a hurry. But closer examination of the second painting reveals several.
Protestant hans holbein paints a portrait of catholic sir thomas more and his family as king henrys passion for anne boleyn pushes england to its break with rome. Oct 12, 2007 portrait of an unknown woman by vanora bennett, 9780007224937, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Vanora bennett has written a beautiful historical romance, a very personal story of actual events told from the viewpoint of a woman who was there, and who was profoundly affected by them. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Books by vanora bennett author of portrait of an unknown. The story is seen through the eyes of mores young ward meg. Romance, intrigue, politics, religion and art come together in vanora bennetts first novel, set against the backdrop of 16th century england at a time when protestants, catholics and humanists were set on a collision course.