Where the Light Falls

by Katherine Keenum

A stunning debut novel of one woman's struggle with love and ambition during a revolutionary era in the City of Light.

As the Belle Epoque dawns, Paris attracts artists from everywhere. One is Jeanette Palmer, daughter of a prominent Ohio family, who has left Vassar College under a cloud of scandal.

Amid the city’s great bohemian neighborhoods and teaching studios, Jeanette befriends other female artists, as well as an American Civil War veteran named Edward Murer. She begins to achieve a level of artistic success. And her happiness increases as she and Edward grow more intimate with each other.

But Edward is plagued by his demons and addicted to laudanum—and as the world opens its arms to Jeanette, and the society around her is transformed by cultural and scientific innovations, she must resolve a conflict utterly new to so many women: the choice between ambition and love.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, France, Art, Paris, Book Club

480 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2013

About the author

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Katherine graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in English and earned a Ph.D. in medieval studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She worked in the publicity department of the New Orleans Public Schools, taught in the expository writing program at Yale University, and served as the executive editor of the book publishing program of the Council on East Asian Studies at Harvard University. She now lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, John Keenum, and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Where the Light Falls is her first published work of fiction. She is working on a second historical novel, Anonymity, which is set in New York City in the early twentieth century. Its heroine is involved in children’s book publishing, the women’s suffrage movement, and an illicit love affair.

Reviews

[Connie Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a test to see if you will like Where the Light Falls:

1) Do you think Paris was a glamorous city in the Belle Epoque period, where Monet and Matisse and Mary Cassatt were all rubbing elbows in the same arrondissment? or
2) Do you have any interest in the visual arts (painting, sculpture)? or
3) Do you like your female protagonists to have a brain in their head, so that they can balance a love interest with their ambition and talent? or
4) Do you like well written historical fiction?

If you can answer "yes" to any of the above, this book is for you.

This is a novel that you don't want to rush through, because it has such yummy ambiance - there is something to the endorsement on the cover that says it is "as delectable and addictive and a Parisian pastry". You would know Keenum is a smart lady just by reading a few chapters, so it's no surprise to find out that she's worked at Harvard and Yale, but her writing is anything but stuffy - accessible and fun, with memorable characters. A great book to take on vacation, or to read at home if you want to go on a little imaginary vacation to (1880's) Paris.

[hazelwillow · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me a month and a half to read this book, even during my summer break. Why did I bother finishing it, then? Because Keenum unfortunately demonstrates how NOT to break writing rules, giving me, an aspiring writer, some examples of what not to do.

Rule 1: Show, don't tell.
This is by FAR the most irritating thing about Where the Light Falls. Keenum insists on telling us what is happening through intrusive and long-winded narration, instead of showing us what happens through well-crafted scenes. Most frustratingly, in no part of the book is this more obvious than with character development. For example, disagreements between artists Amy and Sonja are spelled out in awkward dialogue from the former instead of demonstrated through a scene depicting their fights. Furthermore, the telling is particularly egregious during any passage featuring Edward. Since he is a quiet and reserved man, the story focuses on his thoughts in order to illustrate his character. Unfortunately, instead of an inspired flashback or subtle symbolism in his daily life, we are told his history through bloodless narration.

Rule 2: Stereotypical characters.
Definitely the second-worst error by Keenum. Her characters are mostly one-dimensional. Jeanette is dreamy, Edward is haunted, Amy is BRITISH, Sonja is POLISH, Emily is wistful, Robbie is dastardly, Sophie is kind, Theodore is a businessman. A related critique is the inability to distinguish between some characters' speaking voices. Robbie, Hippolyte Grandcourt, and Carolus all have the same tendency to make monologues. The latter two are particularly difficult to tell apart, perhaps because pomposity is their one defining trait. And finally, the random lady artists who all sound the same and play no important role, yet have pages wasted on them: Mabel, Louise Steadman, Miss Reade.
Effie and Cornelia Renick are the closest to well-rounded characters, although Effie was somewhat inconsistent. On one hand, she has a tendency to make embarrassing but well-meaning remarks; on the other hand, she is supposed to be intuitive and tactful. It is quite realistic for characters to contradict themselves, but Keenum didn't quite achieve the needed balance.

Rule 3: Clunky dialogue.
Terrible dialogue is the consequence of both taking every possible moment to tell instead of show and creating cardboard characters. Amy's dialogue is particularly awkward - more than any other character, she is used to dump information to the reader via her conversations with Jeanette. Also, her use of British slang, if grammatically correct, is tone-deaf. As Amy has no other traits than her wry Britishness, it just feels like Keenum is trying too hard to establish Amy's background.
Additionally, conversations will take place without the reader having any idea where the characters are and who is present. A dialogue between Jeanette and Effie suddenly is interrupted by a remark from Amy or Mabel without any prior indication that either were present. It is jarring and frustrating.

Rule 4: Poor pacing.
Where the Light Falls is ostensibly a romance. Unfortunately, Jeanette and Edward don't meet until well over a hundred pages into the book, and their romantic sparks don't fly until well over halfway through. There is only so much aimless trampling around Europe one can stand. When the romance finally gets going, it is rushed. Additionally, there is never a clear resolution about the artistic side of the story. There is an offhand, one-sentence plan from one character, and then they go back to focusing on love.

Despite everything, Keenum can craft nimble sentences. She definitely has her own style, which is a little bit flowery without being purple. In fact, this is probably her greatest strength - even as she tells us practically everything and goes off on descriptive tangents, Keenum is quite able to make her story sound pretty.

As much as I disliked this novel, I didn't hate it. Hopefully Keenum can improve and present a more-polished future work.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeanette has been expelled from Vassar College. Jeanette is already to head back home in disgrace until a teacher at the college encourages Jeanette to go to Paris to pursue her painting. She has talent.

Edward fought in the American Civil War. He is now out of the war but fighting a new war. A war with his body. To help with the pain, Edward uses laudanum. He becomes addicted to it. Edward’s friends feel a new location will help Edward, so he is asked to accompany a friend to Europe.

It is in Paris that Edward meets Jeanette. They start out as good friends but as time progresses, their relationship grows into more.

What I enjoy most about books is that they can transport me all over the world and different time periods. Thus part of the reason why I chose to check out this book. Another reason is that it sounded really good. I am not going to say that this book was not good as it was. It read like a poem or one of Jeanette’s painting…flowing and picturesque. However as much as I enjoyed this aspect of the book, I could not get past the fact that I did feel like this book was too long. It seemed that even the author thought so too as much would flash forward chunks of time.

In addition, that there were many different secondary characters that were introduced into this story that at times it was hard to keep them straight and their stories. Lastly, I was expecting this to be a romance book but the romance was there but barely. It was not love at first sight between Edward and Jeanette. Jeanette was busy with her painting and Edward with his addiction to laudanum. Overall, this was a nice introduction to a new author. Where the Light Falls is an enchanting read!

[N.L.B. Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first novel is somewhere between three and four stars for me. Merging two favorite topics — art and Paris — Ms. Keenum's knowledge is accurate, and I am comfortable with her presentation of the city in the late 1800s. She crafts a believable "envelope" for her story. (Reality is a dealbreaker if lacking.)

Her characters are engaging, although the cast is large and sometimes confusing. I understand she needs an ensemble cast for this story, but believe she could have pared the characters without harming the flow. Her portrayal of immigrants, and the exit of American artists to Paris at this time, is consistent with what I've read elsewhere, and by focusing on females, she presents a slightly different "take" on the usual depictions. Her development of France's eastern coast was lovely, although lacking in the senses I mention in the following paragraph, but could have been more enjoyable. Her depiction of laudanum addiction is sensitive and well-used.

I would have liked more descriptions of Paris's sensory impact. I know it has both good and bad smells, and is full of color and sound regardless of the month. From other reading, I know this also was true in the late 1800s. If I can fault Ms. Keenum anything, it would be she didn't include enough of all senses in her writing, and Paris is, as Hemingway said, "...a moveable feast" which merits use of every sense.

SO if you enjoy art, and all things French (except the attitude of the ocassional taxi driver), this might be an enjoyable diversion worth hanging on through a slightly slow beginning.

I'm looking forward to reading more of her work, and congratulate her on her first release.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was both disappointed and impressed with Where the Light Falls, a debut historical novel by Katherine Keenum. It’s a well-written, vivid story, about interesting characters who face compelling conflicts. That the Belle Époque isn’t a period often covered in fiction made this book a welcome change, but at the same time I was disappointed in the way the novel ended, as I felt it didn’t suit the story.

A lot of Where the Light Fallswas told in an almost episodic way. Jeneatte’s adventures in Paris were like a collection of little adventures that, while related, didn’t have a definite chain of events in them. That is to say, I mean, that this is definitely not a plot or conflict-driven novel. This is very much a story about two characters and their day-to-day problems.

And with any character-driven novel, it’s fairly important for the reader to connect with those characters. While I wouldn’t say that Keenum’s characterization had all the depth I would have preferred to read, I can’t really find fault with her either. I didn’t exactly like Jeanette Palmer and Edward Murer as characters, but I didn’t dislike them, and I was sympathetic toward their struggles. In the end, though, Jeanette did fall a little flat, because I think she settled for less than she deserved. More on that, later, though.

Where the Light Falls was, perhaps, a little long-winded. Because of the way each chapter was nearly self-contained, I sometimes felt that what I was reading was truly important in the grand scheme of things, other than to more vividly illustrate what life was like for Jeanette in Paris.

For the most part, life for Jeanette was very focused on art. If you’re the kind of reader who might get bored by lots and lots of painting, drawing, sketching, and critiquing, Where the Light Falls may not be for you.

The only major area of complaint I have for this book is the resolution—I didn’t find it to be satisfying at all. For a good part of the book, Jeanette is in conflict over whether or not she should get married or stay true to her art, as she really can’t do both. If she were married, her husband would require her time, and then there would be babies and social engagements, etc. So while she loves Edward Murer, she isn’t sure if she’s willing to sacrifice her art for him.

I was hoping, somehow, that a compromise would be made, and there would be a way for Jeanette to do both. And while Edward was very supportive of Jeanette’s art, at the end of the day he’s still moving them back to the United States, he still wants children, and he still wants Jeanette to keep house for him. Between all that, how much time is Jeanette really going to have for her painting?

For me it felt like Jeanette just settled, like she gave up. She was truly passionate about art one day and then the next she was getting moony over Edward and doing what he wanted. Some people may disagree, but I was disappointed that the protagonist of this book gave up all of her ambitions for a man.

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[Susan Sherwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the 1870s, Jeannette Palmer, an aspiring art student from Ohio, is forced to leave Vassar College under a cloud of scandal that will potentially mar her family's reputation. She heads to Paris at the beginning of La Belle Epoque with her spinster cousin Effie as her chaperone. Taking lessons from renowned artists, Jeannette begins to understand her unique talents and place in the world as she explores artistic concepts such as line, form, movement, shadow and light. In addition to falling in love with the Parisian art scene, Jeannette also falls in love with Edward Murer, a Civil War survivor who is addicted to the opiate Laudanum.

The author portrays the role of women in society and the social scene during the late nineteenth century in this novel, and includes wonderful tid bits of knowledge about famous artists of the time: Carolus-Duran, Monet, and other impressionists.

This is a beautifully written, descriptive novel of an age past. At times, I felt it was slow and the action didn't move enough, but I'm glad I didn't abandon reading.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immensely enjoyed this book. Keenum did a wonderful job with characters, I felt like I could really relate to them and would be friends with them if I ever found a way to jump into the book! As an art major, I loved the art school aspect of it, and that different artists are mentioned in the book. As someone in their early twenties, I didn't get bored with the plot, but someone younger might have, I think this book is great for adults/young adults who enjoy historical fictions. Keenum did a fantastic job with her period descriptions. I think the dialogues between Edward and Jeannette were realistic and not too cheesy/modern as I've found to be the case in some historical fictions. Great summer read, would recommend to a friend!

[ParisianIrish · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be quite honest, I found this to be a really poor read. The only shinning light comes from some descriptions of the Paris during that time, but I found myself hating this book the more I read it and it was a massive relief to finally have finished it.
My main critic of this book comes from how the characters are introduced and developed. We get good insight into Jeanette, her background and arc, but the development of the other main character Edward is awful. We know nothing about him, what he's going through nor his ambitions. There is a host of other characters that we are introduced to as well, an eclectic mix of writers and artists who treat Paris and Europe like a playground. Again, this is not true, the majority of artists and writers in Paris at that time, were living hand to mouth, this is not what's described in Where the Light Falls. From the moment Jeanette arrives in Paris everything seems to fall into place, her accommodation, her art classes, her friends, her success, there is no insight whatsoever into the struggles young artists like her had to go through.
Another bizarre episode, is the summer trip to Britany where the author takes to a rural intimate setting, but aside from a skinny dipping incident, we learn nothing about any of the characters nor does anything in the way of spectacular happen that might change the course of the plot. The group basically go on holiday and come back to Paris.

The book reads like a version of "Emily in Paris" but set in another time. If you've has the misfortune to see Emily in Paris, please take heed of this warning and do not pick up this book.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jeanette is horrified to learn that she is being expelled from Vassar after helping her roommate elope. She had not idea that by ensuring that love would prevail she would endanger her entire future. Jeanette loves art with every breath in her body. She wants to paint and draw and be a successful artist, and now her dreams are dashed. Before she leaves, her favorite professor pulls her aside and informs her she is indeed talented and that she should consider pursuing her art career in Paris. Paris! It seems hopeless. Until she receives unexpected support from her spinster Cousin Effie. Soon the two are Paris bound where Jeanette intends to make her art career blossom. What she doesn't plan on is losing her heart and having to make the choice between her art dreams and love. Will Jeanette follow her heart or her head?
What I Liked:
*I used to dream of being an artist as a child, but of course, the reality is that is extremely difficult to make a go of it as an artist even by today's standards. I can only imagine the difficulties a woman would face at the end of the 19th century trying to pursue a career as an artist. This book brings out all the struggles and triumphs of a young lady who is able to pursue her art dreams in Paris. I loved learning about all the art. The descriptions of the art and all that goes into becoming an artist are fascinating. I especially enjoyed the Paris setting.
*I truly admired the plucky Jeanette. She is willing to make the many sacrifices necessary to become a successful artist in a time when it was frowned on for a woman to have a career. She keeps pushing and continues to do what she loves and she achieves her goals. Her journey isn't without its struggles, and she was constantly reminded that a woman could not have a career and be married. Would you choose to follow your heart's desire or to marry the man you loved? Not an easy decision for sure.
*I was completely wrapped up in Edward's story. He is a Civil War Veteran who is plagued by his own personal demons. During the war, laudanum was administered freely to soldiers to deaden the pain of injury and alleviate the horrors of the day to day strife of the soldiers. As a result, many people became addicted to this drug with devastating results. Edward continues to fight his addiction over and over again throughout the book. I was intrigued by his story and my heart ached for him. Not to mention, it was certainly an education on the ills of laudanum. I am definitely curious to learn more about the rampant laudanum addiction that existed in this era.
*This is a complex and detailed read. Ms. Keenum takes special care in crafting her characters and she is a gifted writer.
And The Not So Much:
*Even though the book had detail and lovely writing, I struggled tremendously with the pace. At times, the story crawls along and I had a hard time focusing. This book reminds me of something written in the Victorian era. It has a plodding story, and it doesn't really follow the traditional schematic of introduction, conflict, climax and resolution. It felt like a meandering overview of a young girl's life. In fact, there really isn't a definite conflict or even climax in this story.
*I usually love attention to detail, but in this case, I felt like the detail became overwhelming. There was at times so much that it really slowed down the book. Furthermore, there were so many characters coming and going, I had a hard time keeping track of everyone.
*This book has many different story lines that come and go and often times they are never fully resolved. For instance, I was completely interested in the storyline that followed a young man Robbie and his sister. Toward the end, Robbie is caught in a sticky situation and Emily is addicted to laudanum, but I never found out what happened to them. Did Emily beat her addiction?
*The romance does not develop until the last quarter of the book. I wanted so much more from the romance. It is nice and sweet when it does transpire, but I would prefer to have it be the centerpiece of the story.

Where The Light Falls is a beautifully written book that will appeal to a select audience. It is a complex story line that you must be patient with in order to appreciate this book. If you are looking for action and conflict and a fiery romance, this is likely not the book for you. If you enjoy learning about how women managed to balance a career and marriage at the turn of the nineteenth century check this out.
Favorite Quotations:
"For twelve days, the Atlantic Ocean had offered an infinitely subtle range of bright blue, slate blue, jade green, purple; of fire and gold at sunset; of pewter and silver at dusk."
"What she said, though, was that beauty fades, while people always need to eat and drink, so she lived with her mother and saved up until they could open a tavern."
"If you drop incidental tidbits of information every now and again, and seem willing to listen, people will tell you the most extraordinary things."
"It gives you the shivers for somebody to look, really look and see you, doesn't it."
"We are made to love and be loved, Jeanette, lots of different ways; but when two of you are in love, well, then there's a wholeness."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@ Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings. It just dragged for me. I’d put it down and not feel very compelled to pick it up again. I just don’t really get the whole drive of female artists during that time period. They almost seemed more interested in making a statement than actually creating beautiful art. I felt sorry for Edward with his addiction issues. So many addicts seem to have gotten hooked after well meaning doctors fed them medication like candy.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was an interesting book about the late 1800's. a look at how women were viewed and what they could and couldnt do. a great look at the artist world and how it was in france. especially paris. good historical fiction

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. It was confusing in places when only referring to characters as she/he or they and having to figure out who the authour was talking about.

[Sally G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a slow and boring book. I honestly skipped over a lot of the last quarter of it. There just wasn’t anything to it. 😣

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannette Palmer is studying art at Vassar College. She’s a bright, promising student who suddenly because of a ill-planned adventure to help a friend elope is expelled from Vassar. This is 1877, the dawn of the Belle Epoque, a daring, freeing time but not so free yet that such a scandal does not bring ruin to Jeannette and her family’s reputation. To say they are appalled would be the understatement of all time. What are they to do and where shall she be accepted now. It is her spinster cousin, Effie, who suggests that Jeannette should study art in Paris, France, a plan that will transform both of their lives in the most pleasurable way possible!

This is a marvelous journey for both of these cousins and the reader alike. Paris where the finest new artists earn their acceptance through the famous Salon judgments on a year-to-year basis. Jeannette will later meet many of the most famous artists at the time or at least be exposed to their innovative and provocative paintings and sculptures. For acceptable form is the norm and deviation from same could win one fame or ruin within days if not weeks and months. Yet as Jeannette begins her drawing classes and later progresses to painting in oils, we share her learning of how to create line, form, movement, light, shadow and so much more. At a certain point, the reader almost holds one’s breath as Jeannette strives to find what will be her unique artistic mark, the expression of the moods, tones, and hidden words spoken in now empty, silent rooms. Rather than being tedious, the author conveys the mystery and magic of it all.

Edward Murer is the other main character, a survivor of the Civil War who was wounded and kept as a prisoner of war. His addiction to laudanum for physical and emotional pain is an issue that appears and disappears in unexpected cycles. As a war veteran, he is painfully sensitive to the essence of men and women, seeing beyond the facades and yearning to remain aloof from all that is false and devious. No, he doesn’t immediately fall head over heels with Jeannette but instead very, very slowly develops an interest with her and her artistic friends and social acquaintances.

There is where we meet many characters who overcome formidable challenges on every possible sphere – and those who don’t – Paris is really no different than anywhere else! It is, however, the artistic and cultural center of a very specific historical time known as the Belle Epoque and Katherine Keenum renders a depiction of that time with panache that is delectable to experience! A superb work of historical fiction that should be a best seller and would make a grand movie or Broadway show!

[Cecilee Linke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas present from one of my French students. Since she knows I'm into (pretty much) any and all things French, she thought that I would enjoy this novel.

I did enjoy it, but not as much as I hoped.

From what I read on the back of the book, I expected this to be a romance set in Paris during a time period that I do not know much about (mid-1800s, post Civil War). Yes it was set in Paris, but the romance that I was expecting? Not so much.

Here we have the story of a young woman named Jeannette Palmer studying at Vassar College. She helps a friend elope, and because the elopement caused a huge scandal in their hometown, she has been expelled from the school. So she finds herself traveling to Paris with her cousin Effie to study art. While there, she meets Edward Murer, a Civil War veteran who is haunted by his time fighting in the war and is addicted to laudanum, a common opiate painkiller of that time period. Meanwhile, Jeannette becomes more acquainted with her fellow art students and gets to know the art scene in Paris. In between, we get to know some side characters who come and go throughout the story, such as the Reade family, Cornelia Renick, a longtime friend of Edward's, and Sonja, a Polish immigrant looking to make a name for herself in the Parisian art scene.

I particularly enjoyed the setting of the book, Paris in the late 1800s. Having been to Paris twice, I could easily picture what the city might have looked like during that time period. I also relished the author's vivid descriptions of the countryside of Brittany during one of the girls' excursions. Mrs. Keenum was great at making me feel like I was right there in France. I also thought that her treatment of Edward's addiction was well-written.

However, I felt that the book was too long (at least a hundred and fifty-some pages could have been left out and the story would've still been good), the author did far more telling rather than showing (don't just tell me that Jeannette and Edward talked for hours about their lives, show me one of those conversations, especially if their relationship is supposed to be a big part of the story!), and I became lost with all the different characters coming and going. I wasn't expecting a bodice-ripper, but I would have liked for Jeannette and Edward's relationship to be more of a focal point in the story, which is what I expected from the blurb on the back of the book.

This gets three stars from me. A good start, but it could've been better.

[Sara Palacios · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum in exchange for an honest review.

Where the Light Falls is set as the Belle Epoque dawns, and artists find their way heading to Paris in search of inspiration. Jeanette Palmer is no different. Growing up the daughter of a prominent family in Ohio, Jeanette leaves Vassar College after a scandal breaks loose. She finds herself in Paris, amid the city's great bohemian neighborhoods and studios, Jeanette slowly makes friends as she finds her way. One man in particular, Edward Murer, becomes a quick friend and eventually he becomes her lover. But, things become complicated as she learns that Edward is addicted to laudanum and as she attempts to help him fight his demons, she also begins to achieve a new level of artistic success. Will Jeanette be able to make a decision between success and love? Or will she lose both trying?

I absolutely loved the historical aspect of this novel and found the details and the settings quite charming. Katherine does a wonderful job at weaving the story throughout time and creating darling characters with real thoughts and ambitions. I loved Jeanette from the get go and was rooting for her as she pursued her dreams to become an artist. Then, Katherine presents us with Edward, and although older, I can definitely tell where the attraction came from. Overall, this plot is rich with love, guts, history, conflict (both inner and outer) and most of all, creative inspiration. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think you will too.
Rating: 4/5

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was at turns fascinating and frustrating, and I'm still not sure where I stand on it.

The fascinating part was exploring pre-Belle Epoque Paris, with the changing mores and the advent of the Impressionist movement. Because Jeannette aspires to be an artist, there's lots of discussion about the propriety of painting nudes (male and female), the process of learning to be a painter, how the Salon show worked, etc.. Her Cousin Effie was very much the poor cousin, albeit one who wasn't exactly poor, and makes herself indispensable both in New York and Paris, giving Jeannette's life a veneer of propriety in addition to helping them gain entree into a world (that of the Renicks) by becoming a sort of companion to Mrs. Renick.

The frustrating part was that despite 450+ pages none of this is gone into in the detail that I'd like. The bohemian life of some of the artists Jeanette gets to know is not as finely drawn as it could have been. How social life in Paris were changing is not as clearly spelled out (although the fashion changes are). Some things are taken for granted, like the readers familiarity with the 1848 revolution in Germany and why Theodore is unable to return, but Edward is. Etc.

I'm also not happy with the blurbage: this is not an extraordinary debut novel, nor is there any mystery here. It's a perfectly good work of historical fiction that with reasonable success blends the famous (John Sargent) and the imaginary.

ARC provided by publisher.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS by Katherine Keenum is an interesting historical romance set in Ohio and Paris in 1870's. Follow Jeanette Palmer,a young artist who is forced to leave a prestigious school due to scandal. And Edward Murer,a American Civil War veteran with demons. Follow them as they navigate the artist world for women, demons,scandal,ambition,some will follow their dreams while others fight their demons. Jeanette has always dreamt of being an artist and goes to Paris to follow her dreams. Edward and Jeanette fight their attraction,he is much older than Jeanette, as her dreams begin to come true,she learns Edward is addicted to Laudanum,and fighting his own battles. "Where The Light Falls" is a complex,compelling story of love,sacrifice and the struggle women had and still have between a career and love. A wonderful debut for this author. She has captured the time,essence,and life with her engaging characters and intriguing plot.A must for anyone who enjoys women's struggles,women artists,history,conflict and love. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good solid read especially if you are interested in what life could have been like for female art students and artists in 1870's Paris. Get past the first few chapters which are basically a silly setup to get our heroine to Paris. For me the novel really starts to hit its stride with the introduction of Dr. Edward Murer, a Civil War veteran and former POW with understandable demons. His character is beautifully written and rich in detail and as much as he is present throughout most of the book, I wish the novel had started off with him. He would have made a great full character study. I thought the end was a bit rushed and would have liked more time spent on the payoff, but all in all, it is an enjoyable book with a lot of detail of the period and it is easy to become immersed in the artist community (both fictional and historical), together with some good reminders of all the restrictions and tough decisions women faced during this time both concerning their personal and (dare one say it) their professional lives.

[Rachelfm · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a library shelf-browsing bust. The premise is great, but the author has such a strong yen for descriptive writing (which is pretty good) that the plot writing suffers. I also felt that some of the major characters sort of drift in an out and mostly serve as foils for the main character, which I found strangely flat.

Also, it's all pretty tame stuff, which is fine in a character-driven novel. However, it made the "love plot" really get in the way, and it sucked that despite the indications of the previous 400-some pages, the patriarchy prevailed.

I'm not really sure I can put my finger on exactly WHY I wasn't crazy about this, but it reminded me of my several attempts to read Susan Vreeland, where the descriptions of the art grew so unwieldy and the name-dropping so fast and furious that the author's attempt to establish historical credibility was at the expense of the plot and characters.

[Sarah K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It took me months and months to read (which is rare), but it was beautifully written and fascinating to read about the Paris of the 1800s, female artists, and the way these women lived in a male-dominated time. I think what threw me off the most, and why it took me so long to read, was the book's slow pace and numerous characters. I never really got close to any of them, but I did want to see what happened. Worth the read but read it when you have time to think it through.

[Shanie Genereux · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author paints a beautiful picture of her own in words. You feel as if you are there. I did get lost in so many characters. Didn't get to know many of them well. I would have liked to felt like we knew more of what was really going on with the brother and sister...it was wierd..and at the end..the sister is a drug addict. That hit me out of left field. The most interesting part of the book was the end during Edward's rehab...and then it was over. She writes beautifully....just need to weed out the peripherals.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story about an American young woman who travels to Paris to study art. I really enjoyed the plot, but the cast of characters was hard to keep track of; as information was weaved in about each supporting characters I sometimes lost interest; in fact, until the last 25% of the book, I only managed to read small segments at a time.
Overall, a good read, and I would recommend this book to those interested in late 19th-century art, and the art environment in France.

[Noelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. No satisfying story arc. Some nice writing, but with no stand-out characters and no stand-out plot, I'm not sure what I was supposed to love.

The ending is supposed to be happy, but I spend 400 pages with Jeanette the ambitious artist and then all of the sudden I'm supposed to be happy that she may be giving up her art for an older, opium-addicted, boring man? Not my cup of tea.

[Lisa White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched book from a new author. I enjoyed traveling back to the Belle Epoque and to imagine Paris at that time! The artists occupying this story came to life before my eyes and the descriptive detail was so carefully drawn I felt I was standing along side the characters. A lovely read!

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The author managed to paint pictures with her words as she wrote of these struggling artists. She also showed emotions that led up to decisions made by the characters in this long ago era. I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion. I shall remember this any time I see pictures of Paris.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the subject (rebellious American female art student who moves to Paris to paint in the 1870s). The descriptions of art students supporting each other and making do and finding beauty in their sometimes meager surroundings (albeit in that innately gorgeous city) made this an enjoyable if occasionally slow going read...

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather interesting historical fiction about a young lady who travels to France to study art; she meets up with an older man who is struggling with addiction to opiates. The backstories and the way the two meet are what makes the novel so compelling, however; the "love story" is not necessarily what interested me.

[Pamela Beason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a group of young artists studying in Paris. I enjoyed the descriptions of art classes and all the Parisian locations, but after a while the parties and impromptu processions and such seemed a bit repetitious. The passion for art was clear and definitely made me want to take up painting again, though.