I so enjoying reading novels about artists so when TLC Book Tours offered me a copy of Dali Summer by T.J. Brown at no charge for my honest review I was very happy.
About Dali Summer:
Her wild and vivid visions inspire an icon…
Nothing is more important to prim, colorblind Dolors Posa than family and living down the shame of her illegitimate birth, but when the sudden onset of fantastical visions threaten her sterling reputation, she must search for answers before the inhabitants of the tiny village of Cadaqués brand her as demente— crazy like her mother. In a quest to stop her hallucinations, she befriends a beautiful, intoxicating fortune teller and her handsome anarchist brother, as well as becoming a reluctant muse for thirteen-year-old Salvador Dali. In a summer that changes everything, Dolors must choose between her family’s reputation and a life filled with adventure, friendship, rapturous color and the possibility of love.
Set against the political upheaval of 1917 Spain, Dali Summer captures the fierce spirit of Catalonia, the generosity and stubbornness of its people and the blossoming promise of a woman who thought life was bland and empty and had long ago passed her by.
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About the Author:
Well behaved women rarely make history. Teri Brown lived that quote way before she ever even heard it. The two things she is most proud of, (besides her children), is that she jumped out of an airplane once and she beat the original Legend of Zelda video game. She is a novel writer, head banger, pet keeper, math hater, cocktail drinker, booty shaker, book reader, city slicker, food fixer, French kisser, rule breaker, wine sipper and word scribbler. She loves her husband, kitties and chocolate.
Find out more about Teri at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
My Opinion:
Dolors is a proud young woman who is obsesses about maintaining her reputation. She is a child of parents whe were not married and her grandmother despises her. She is determined to not make the mistakes her mother did. But sometimes life does not always allow us to follow the path we want to, does it?
Dolors is color blind and lives in a world where women are not really appreciated. It is 1917 and Spain is roiling with political upheaval. She is worried about her brother as he is hanging with a wild crowd. She also starts to have disturbing dreams. Dolors finds many people working against her but she knows how to survive. Relying on her few faithful friends she gets by but then the summer comes and with it a sort of freedom as she meets Salvadore Dali and he opens her world and leaves her with decisions to make.
This was a interesting change in historical fiction for me. Spain makes for an exciting location as I don’t tend to read many books that take place in that country. If you don’t know Salvadore Dali – he of the crazy mustache – or his art it’s worth googling to help understand a bit as you read the book. It’s … different. I cannot say that he is one of my favorite artists but he certainly made an impact in the art world.
I do enjoy reading a book that presents a complicated and unique female character and I got that with Dolors. She rises from she thinks is her lessor place in life to find that she is much more than the mistake her grandmother keeps telling her she is. Her early life might be stagnant but she has her eyes opened by a man with an artistic vision far ahead of his time.
Rating:
4
The Giveaway:
Two lucky US readers will get to read Dali Summer; one by paperback, one digitally. Just enter as many ways as you would like on the Gleam widget below. The first winner pulled will get their choice, the second winner will receive the one left. Full rules are on the widget. Good luck everyone.
