So Many Precious Books, So Little Time: Review & Giveaway: Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum

Book Description:

Inspired by actual events in author Katherine Keenum’s family history, this novel originated when she learned that her great-grandmother had been expelled from Vassar College for helping her roommate elope, and thereafter went to Paris to study art with Corolus-Duran. Coming across a Vassar catalogue for 1879, which contained proof of the dismissal, Keenum realized the depth of this story; so full of adventure, love, and scandal, that she began writing her own story which was to become WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS.

In WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS protagonist Jeanette Palmer gets kicked out of Vassar College in the winter of 1878 for the scandal of the century, her life is turned upside down. With her dreams of becoming an artist rapidly deteriorating, she decides to risk everything and move to Paris at the dawning of the Belle Époque, where her ignominious behavior is likely to be less damaging to her family’s reputation. Paris attracts artists from everywhere, including Jeanette, the daughter of a prominent Ohio family. Amid the city’s great bohemian neighborhoods and studios, Jeanette meets an American Civil War veteran named Edward Murer. As she beings to achieve artistic success, Jeanette’s relationship with Edward begins to flourish—but he is plagued by addiction and personal demons. Just as the world opens its arms to Jeanette, she finds herself torn between pursuing a burgeoning career and following her heart.

My Thoughts:

Over all, I really liked this book. The characters are well written and the writing was like poetic prose and descriptive. This is a fairly long book 480 pages. I do happen to like chunky books as long as they need that to tell the entire story. However, I felt this book could have done with some tighter editing.

I found Jeanette's longing to have a career versus a married home life to ring true for the time. I'm not much into romance stories so the light romance between Jeanette and Edward was a good balance for me. The only thing that didn't really work for me or perhaps was just too rushed was the ending and how Jeanette made her decision. To be fair, it could just me. It just seemed a bit to neat and tidy at the end.

I loved the backdrop of 19th century Paris and the Belle Époque era . It seemed well researched and authentic, the way I love historical fiction to be.

This is Katherine Keenumfirst book and I hope it wont be the last. I recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers. Please not I am taking a bit off my score, mostly for the need for tighter editing.

3.5/5

About Katherine Keenum:

Katherine Keenum holds a Ph.D in Medieval Studies from the University of Texas . She is a former editor of the Publications Program for the Council on East Asian Studies at Harvard University and has also taught writing at Yale. She lives with her husband in Worcester , Massachusetts . WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS is her debut novel. Visit her at http://www.katherinekeenum.com.

Thanks to Jessica Butler of Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group USA, I am giving away one copy of this book. Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 20, 2013.

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