Still Life by Sarah Winman

​I’ve just caught up with Still Life and what a worthwhile destination!

I know little about art and art history, but, like so many people I suppose, I ‘know what I like.’ That sounds a bit limp doesn’t it? Well, there is nothing limp about the characters and their journeys in this quite wonderful book which takes us from a war-torn Italy to contrasting experiences in different parts of London and then back to the vivid light and shade of Florence once more.

I did get a little bogged down with some of the artistic/Firenze references, especially later in the book, but it didn’t detract to the extent that I no longer wished to visit Florence. I do. More so having read this book.

The characters are extremely well-drawn - even (especially) when taken out of their usual geographical contexts. We follow each one as they make their own journeys forward, sometimes after much reflection on experiences that were or might have been. 

It felt very much as though we were looking at a still life painting with the author’s warm and beautiful words bringing each of the components to life and telling their stories. And what stories they are – funny and engaging and often poignant – as real life is, still or otherwise.

Strong women with attitude and ambition are given the chance to fight back against the seemingly pre-ordained control of men. I loved that this ran across societal lines in the way that it did. Peg is someone I won’t forget for a very long time. 

My favourite character, though, was the quiet and contemplative Pete, who I really identified with (apart from the fact I cannot play the piano). I found myself willing him along that unknown path to happiness that only arrives with real meaning.

The writing style of the book is a little unnerving at first and needs to be persevered with. However, I quickly found myself wishing I could be as bold and adventurous with language as she is and removed from the little island of security I’ve created for myself.

Perhaps the central message of the book is one of hope. Against all the natural and unnatural preferences this little band of brothers and sisters come up against, still they move forward, encouraged to do so by all of us mere readers, heartily wishing that life was really like that. 

---