Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper (original 2001; edition 2001)

I love books about art and this one did not disappoint. I will always remember the paintings in this book for the author brought the characters to life and it was an absolutely enchanting read ! ( )

Based on the lives of Lydia and Mary Cassatt, the book is handsomely illustrated with colour plates of some of Cassatt's paintings. It really does enrich the text. The book is rather like Cassatt's paintings - delicate yet tough, light but with an edge of darkness. It's a very, very fine book. This, for example: Lydia is contemplating a painting by Mary, of a mother with her child. She thinks about her friend May Alcott, dead post-childbirth. Lydia is ill, she is dying of Bright’s disease. She never married, she has no children. She thinks about women dying in childbirth: ‘Elsewhere now, the bloody sheets, the baby’s cry, the exhausted face, cherry trees on a hillside, dirt tossed onto a box of wood, agony and then absence.’ Very short book, but every word is gorgeous. [March 2003] ( )

What can I say about this book? Chessman has created an amazing fictional glimpse into the life of American Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt, through the eyes of her older sister and sometimes model Lydia. The story, told in 5 chapters and a mere 163 pages, is a fascinating portrait of Mary, Lydia - who suffered from and died of Bright's Disease - and the time period, both artistic and non-artistic. Each chapter is focused on presenting the setting of each painting Lydia modeled for Mary - a written portrait of a painting in progress.

While this is a work of fiction, Chessman has build upon the facts that Mary Cassatt lived much of her adult life in France - where the book is set - and that she had befriended fellow painter Edgar Degas, who is also portrayed in Chessman's novel. Chessman relied on the paintings Lydia modeled for during her final years, and captures what may have been discussed, witnessed and thought of by Lydia, between September 1878 and Lydia's death on November 7, 1882. Chessman delves into Lydia's worries, her frustrations with her failing health and her thoughts of her family that surround her in their fifth floor apartment in Paris.

I found this to be a poignantly beautiful story that I feel captures the essence of the Impressionist era, life in Paris in the late 1880's and, hopefully, a good characterization of the thoughts and feelings of Lydia Cassett in her final years. A stunning story I highly recommend, for both art lovers and readers that take an interest in the human condition in general. The inclusion of glossy print copies of the paintings within the chapters is a nice touch and I enjoyed examining the paintings as much as I enjoyed reading Chessman's story. ( )

I wasn’t familiar with Harriet Scott Chessman until I won an autographed copy of Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper and now I find myself wondering why. In a word, this book is delightful. The writing is artistic and the photos of Mary Cassatt’s paintings that are featured are stunning. This book is a fictional account of the relationship between the American Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt and her sister Lydia. It is set in France in the late 1800’s and focuses on five paintings Mary did of Lydia during that time. Mary and Lydia had an incredibly close bond that only sister’s can share. Lydia was Mary’s favorite model and sometimes struggled to pose because she was battling Bright’s disease, which eventually took her life.

This book is helps you imagine what it was like in Paris in the late 1800’s. I felt like I knew the Cassatts by the time I was through. It is a wonderful story of family, love, strength and endurance. I will definitely be looking for more of Harriet’s work. ( )

I love almost all books that take me into the world of a painting ( )