The Crimson Portrait, Jody Shields
The Crimson Portrait, Jody Shields
4 Rating(s)
List: $17.99 | Sale: $12.59
Club: $8.99

The Crimson Portrait

Author: Jody Shields

Narrator: Josephine Bailey

Unabridged: 8 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/01/2007


Synopsis

This haunting love story—the magnificent new historical novel by the author of the national bestseller The Fig Eater-makes unforgettably real the ravages of love and war. Spring 1915. On a sprawling country estate not far from London, a young woman mourns her husband, fallen on a distant battlefield. The eerie stillness in which she grieves is abruptly shattered as her home is transformed into a bustling military hospital. Recoiling from the chaos, unhinged by grief, the young widow finds unexpected refuge in a tender young soldier whose face, concealed by bandages, she cannot see. Their affair takes a fateful turn when she confronts—and seizes upon—the opportunity to remake her lover in the image of her lost husband.

The Crimson Portrait is a novel of glittering surfaces that belie dark truths. Its rich cast comes into focus as the novel peels back layers of suspense and intrigue to illuminate the abiding mysteries of affinity and desire.

"Shields's writing weaves dark mythical symbolism with matter-of-fact medical nitty-gritty to reveal what happens when class, ignorance, hopefulness and despair coalesce."—Publishers Weekly

"Lovely writing..."—Kirkus

About Jody Shields

Jody Shields is a former design editor of the New York Times Magazine and a former editor at Vogue, House and Garden, and Details. She is the author of two nonfiction fashion books, All That Glitters and A Stylish History. Jody has also written several screenplays and has a master's degree in art. Her prints are in various collections, including the Museum of Modern Art. She lives in New York.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Annette on September 18, 2019

Based on a true story, Catherine transforms her house into a military hospital per her late husband’s wish during WWI. It is 1915 outside London, as her house changes its status. Her servants leave her but two people, young boy and an old gardener. Once the house fills with suffering men she has a h......more

Goodreads review by Beverly on November 06, 2008

It's 1915 and Catherine finds herself like one of many women, a young widow. Heartbroken and lost, she decides to honor her late husbands wishes to allow the troops to use their beautiful, sprawling mansion as a make-shift hospital. Little does she know how much her decision will change the rest of......more

Goodreads review by Sara on June 22, 2008

WWI, as in any war, has many layers and facets that history has written down somewhere, and forgotten where they placed them. This story is one part of the War that many probably didn't know existed and the author intricately paints a picture of one place and time during the War that was overlooked.......more

Goodreads review by Laura on August 06, 2010

Simply put, I was just bored by this book. The characters weren't interesting enough. The story progressed painfully slowly, and it ultimately fell flat. I kept hoping it would get more colorful and I would feel some emotion for these people...but that moment never came. Don't waste your time on thi......more

Goodreads review by Trogyllium on July 08, 2008

This book was a good summer read. Amazing character development and details about facial muscles and other medical stuff. I really like this author. The end kind of bugged me though. It wasn't conclusive enough for me. Also, some of the characters' interactions with each other were so awkward!! Over......more