by Jennifer Cody Epstein
ages: adult
First sentence: “When the session is over, Yulaing retreats to the chipped sink in the atelier’s corner.”

I don’t know how to start this. After my recent experience with historical fiction, you would think I would be more wary about reading more. But, perhaps my experience was that I was too close to the subject, and that hindered my enjoyment of it.

Well, nothing could be further from my life than that of the Chinese painter Pan Yuliang.

Epstein’s book reads like a good Zhang Yimou movie — a harsh, brutal, lush, hopeful, soaring, and gripping glimpse into China’s past. Yuliang was sold into prostitution at age 14 by her uncle, in order to pay off opium debts. After several years in the brothel, she is rescued by Pan Zanhua, a government worker who ends up taking Yuliang as his second wife in order to avoid scandal. It’s through Zanhua, though, that Yuliang was introduced to art, and because of him that she managed to find her true calling in life.

Not that it was easy: it was difficult for a woman in China in the 1920s to get into an art program, it was controversial for artists to paint nudes, and after she got a scholarship to Paris and later Rome, it was difficult and controversial for her to go back again. But, through it all, she stayed true to her art, her passion, even when it cost her dearly.

Sure, there’s probably that line-blurring, and perhaps someone will even complain that Epstein didn’t get it “right”. But, for me, Epstein’s novel is a lush look into the world of postmpressionist art, the politics of China as well as Yuliang’s life over several decades. It might sound like a lot to handle in one novel, but Epstein makes it work. She even makes present tense narration — something which usually grates on me — work beautifully. It’s a lyrical first work, and makes one hopeful for what Epstein has to offer us in the future. My only complaint is that it didn’t come with pictures; thankfully, Epstein has rectified that by putting samples of the artist’s work up on her webpage.

Of course, as always with a TLC tour, there are a myriad of opinions to choose from. Be sure to check them all out:

Tuesday, June 2nd: The Literate Housewife Review
Wednesday, June 3rd: Book-a-Rama
Monday, June 8th: She is Too Fond of Books
Tuesday, June 9th: S. Krishna’s Books
Wednesday, June 10th: Becky’s Book Reviews
Thursday, June 11th: Redlady’s Reading Room
Monday, June 15th: Dolce Bellezza
Tuesday, June 16th: Peeking Between the Pages
Wednesday, June 17th: A Work in Progress
Thursday, June 18th: Beth Fish Reads
Monday, June 22nd: Pop Culture Junkie
Tuesday, June 23rd: Do They Have Salsa in China?
Wednesday, June 24th: Bookworm with a View
Thursday, June 25th: So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
Friday, June 26th: Savvy Verse and Wit
Monday, June 29th: Nerd’s Eye View

Buy it from: Amazon, Powell’s, or your local independent bookstore