Laurie Lico Albanese

Color illustration and map on lining papers.

A Novel

Stolen Beauty

Jamie Mitchell

I’ve long since been a fan of Klimt, so when I randomly found this on a library shelf a few weeks ago I picked it up simply because it had a pretty cover and interesting title, but I knew I needed to read it as soon as I opened it up l and saw Woman in Gold and read Klimt’s name in the synopsis. Despite long being an admirer of his, I had no idea about the story and history behind some of his works. This novel was beautiful from start to finish. I don’t normally enjoy books that bounce between time periods and different perspectives, but the stories tied together so well that this time it didn’t bother me. I thought the ending was slightly rushed, but I still wound up crying on and off for the last 30 or so pages. I absolutely loved it.

Kymberly L McNabb

I’m a fan of other people’s stories so when I found out that this story was based on a true story I couldn’t put it down. I loved the strength of both women, their culture and heritage, and the details of their experiences.

Renee Blankenship

Stolen Beauty is a novel about love and passion and strength in the face of evil. It's about the power of art and its lasting legacy. Stolen Beauty follows the story of a young woman, Adele Bloch-Bauer, as she navigates a man's world in early 1900 Vienna. A woman of intellect and curiosity, Adele struggles to find her place, in a time where women are to be seen and not heard let alone smoke or attend coffee shops. During the rising art movement in Vienna, Adele meets Gustav Klimt (the painter) and is immediately taken with him. He requests to paint her, seeing the strength, power, passion and desire that is just under her mask of propriety and in so doing embarks upon the creation of some of his most famous works of art, with Adele as his muse. Their love affair and mutual respect is something Adele craves and is unable to find in her own marriage at the time, creating a passionate atmosphere for the work Klimt is creating in his studio. Some of my favorite passages were the ones that brought Klimt and Adele together in the studio.

And alongside, in alternate chapters, is the story of Adele's niece Marie. Fleeing Germany as Hitler invades, Marie faces her own demons in her new husband and way of life. Time moves forward, as Marie and her husband eventually escape to America. Following in the shadows is the fate of The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer (or The Woman in Gold as the Nazi's renamed it), the portrait Klimt created of her Aunt Adele. This portrait is something that haunts Marie until late in her life, when the story finally concludes.

I found these chapters to be a bit disjointed from Adele's. Im not sure if that is because I was so attached to Adele's character and her relationship with Klimt, but these sections of the story seemed just a bit less in comparison. I didn't feel a strong connection with Marie and I know that had something to do with it. I also felt the concluding chapters were a bit rushed, but mainly because I feel like I didn't get to know Marie very well or appreciate her relationship with Adele.

All in all, I loved this story! Like I've mentioned before, I really enjoy books that revolve around artwork or artists from the past and this one did not disappoint! I've seen a few of Klimt's pieces in museums and have always been intrigued by his use of the metallic gold and silvers along with the symbolism in paintings like The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer and The Kiss. I loved reading this fictionalized account of Adele's life, life in Vienna at the turn of the century and Klimt's artwork.

Jacelyn

Mariya Tuchinskaya 

I absolutely loved this book. When I watched the Woman in Gold a couple of years back I found that the story of Maria Altmann and her family resonated with me as it reflected some of the experiences of my own family during the war. I was also fascinated by Adele Bloch Bauer who seemed to loom over the story although she only appeared in a few scenes, which is why hearing her story from her own perspective was so interesting to me. I continue to admire Maria for her courage when it came to tackling the challenges that life threw at her and for always fighting for what is right.

Jane Krauss

I'll be honest, I was inspired to read the book from watching the film, Woman In Gold. I was wonderful to read the story behind the woman who was painted. It was brutally honest and shows that maybe we shouldn't say that woman of the upper class was always perfect and the model of modesty. This book also goes into depth of the life of 'non-Christian' members of the upper-middle class.

Stolen Beauty A Novel

Reviews