Painting Paris

THE ART OF LOVE AND LOSS Paris, 1908. In Montmartre, painters are creating works that will change the way we see life. Some do it better than others; some fall victim to the pursuit of love as well as art. But it s a time to live deeply and take risks with whatever you care about the most. Painting Paris tells the story of the intertwined lives of an artist, a would-be artist and a collector. The artist, Berthe, is destined by her mixed race to be always on the brink of exclusion, but she takes in the Italian Paolo, who arrives as a painter with more ambition than talent; and they are both drawn to an uncomfortable reliance on the financier Henri, who is struggling with his sexual identity. In three parts, each viewed from different perspectives of character, time and place, the story of aching love and loss unfolds towards a resolution in the 1930s. Another era, another secret to confront, another reconciliation to strive for this is a novel of courage and hope, of yearning and fragility, with a tone of self-reflection that will haunt readers. Assured, exquisitely written, wise in its judgements and insights with a feel for character and the complex relationships between life and art. And Berthe is just a wonderful character. John Mitchinson, founder of Unbound, host of Backlisted podcast. Cover image by Mark Noad.