Shadows & Light

by Francesca Stanfill

This hauntingly romantic story marks the auspicious debut of a young novelist Lawrence Durrell calls “a born writer.” Shadows and Light precisely, poignantly anatomizes the nature of erotic obsession, as a gifted, independent artist falls into sensual thrall to a sophisticated, worldly and ultimately elusive lover.

Allegra Clayton is unconventionally beautiful, sensitive, yet sexually unawakened, an art expert at Sotheby’s and a promising painter in her own right. Hers is the refined, protected world of afternoon teas, solitary creativity and glittering evenings with international society.

Yet from the moment she encounters Alexander Para — formidably charming, finally enigmatic — Allegra finds herself caught in an erotic compulsion that gradually erodes her confidence, her independence, her very sense of self.

Moving from New York to Venice, from the slopes of St. Moritz and the bleached beaches of Crete to an inevitable moment of unmasking and painful self-revelation, this remarkable novel explores the shadows and light of sex, of love and friendship, of seduction and betrayal.

373 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Francesca Stanfill was born in Oxford, England, and grew up in New York City and Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Yale University, where her studies included the History of Art and medieval history.
Her articles have appeared in many publications, including The New York Times Magazine, New York, and Vanity Fair. Her lifelong fascination with the twelfth century and its legendary queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, propelled her to write The Falcon's Eyes, her third novel. She lives in New York.

Reviews

[Anthony Colozza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well on the plus side the writing was pretty good. It is easy to follow and provides a good visualization of the characters and events. However, the story is really lacking. It is like a fictional memoir that isn't really that interesting. The story follows the main character through her life and her short and unfortunate marriage. There is a little drama and some minor surprises but there is really nothing here that is going to keep your interest. If you have time to kill it isn't that bad based on the writing alone but don't expect some profound story that will keep you think long after you are done reading.