The Forest Lover

I am a voracious reader and love books, so to pick a favorite is nearly impossible. But this book taught me so much, led me to what is now a favored artist and was truly unforgettable. Had never read Vreeland before and thought of her as a cheesy romance writer, but this is historic fiction at its best. I've read several mire of her works since. I dare you not to fall in love with this story, this artist and this author.

A meditation on the nature of true love, and all the changes we go through (oftentimes self-inflicted) to realize what that truly means. Filled with absurdist plot twists and parodies of literary icons, I was surprised to find myself laughing out loud in spots. A quick read, cool and refreshing as a nicely chilled glass of Bordeaux. A five-star Keillor.

This book is as lush and verdant as the landscape where it takes place. Vreeland's fictionalized account of the life of Emily Carr feels spot-on for the characters, location and time frame. This book puts her up there and beyond other, better-known pioneering women artists and brings her to life in a way that feels real. Reading this makes you wish she were alive today so you could be her friend. I learned so much about Canada and the struggles of the indigenous people that Carr grew to love and wanted to preserve. I, personally, am not normally a "gusher" and certainly not a writer of reviews, but I'm throwing in my opinion on this one after such an amazing reading experience!

The details in this story make this book a literary vision. I finished The Forest Lover a week ago and cannot stop picturing the places that the main character, Emily Carr, visited while on her quest to paint native villages, people, and totem poles. I still feel as though I was on the scene with Emily. The story tells of a woman who is turned off by high society and their so-called morals, and particularly inspired by two people some would consider to be misfits. Emily's adventures and experiences teach her to become a very strong woman and to follow her convictions. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this story. I have read Susan Vreeland's two previous books, Girl In Hyacinth Blue, and Passion of Artemesia. I have looked forward to reading her third book, whatever it would be, and was completely delighted with The Forest Lover. The details in this book surely come from exhausting amounts of research which must have taken Susan Vreeland forever to collect. This book was truly worth the wait! Thanks again Ms. Vreeland... Whatever's next, I'll be waiting...