Keeping the World Away

by: Margaret Forster

Published by: Ballantine Books

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

When most of us look at a painting, we will probably first notice the quality, possibly the depth, or even the emotion behind the brush strokes. We might like it (or not) and might even wonder what the artist was feeling at the time it was painted. What we likely won’t consider is the impact the piece of art had on those who’ve had it in their possession.

In the fictional tale of a true-to-life work of art, A Corner of the Artist’s Room in Paris by Gwen John, author Margaret Forster weaves a story of several women whose lives were changed subtly, or not so, while the painting was in their possession. First, the story of the artist who carried great passion but was ever encouraged by her lover to be tranquil, and for a moment, at least, she might have captured it on canvas. And then by gift, theft, sale and inheritance many more women follow, each life touched by the picture of a little attic, a wickerwork chair, and a vase full of primroses.

I can’t honestly say what I thought of this book as a whole. I was captivated by the story of Gwen John and still so by Charlotte, whose tale follows, but after those two, the women began to blend into one. Most of the characters are basically disappointed in men and most of humanity. If they weren’t before they saw the painting, they were after. They seemed to retreat into themselves and solitude. Which is, I guess, the point with a title like Keeping the World Away. There was virtually no dialog and even when there was, it may only be a single line. I suppose you could say that it is enthralling to be so much within a mind, but the secluded minds began to lose any sort of “voice.” If I put the book down for more than a moment, I would come back and not know who I was reading about without looking back again to see.

This is a captivating, yet lonely, tale.

Armchair Interviews says: A unique use of a painting to several people’s stories.