Fugitive Colors

by Lisa Barr

Stolen art, love, lust, deception, and revenge paint the pages of veteran journalist Lisa Barr’s debut novel, Fugitive Colors, an un-put-down-able page-turner. Booklist calls the WWII era novel, "Masterfully conceived and crafted, Barr’s dazzling debut novel has it all: passion and jealousy, intrigue and danger." Fugitive Colors asks the reader: How far would you go for your passion? Would you kill for it? Steal for it? Or go to any length to protect it?

Hitler’s War begins with the ruthless destruction of the avant-garde, but there is one young painter who refuses to let this happen. An accidental spy, Julian Klein, an idealistic American artist, leaves his religious upbringing for the artistic freedom of Paris in the early 1930s. Once he arrives in the “City of Light,” he meets a young German artist, Felix von Bredow, whose larger-than-life personality overshadows his inferior artistic ability, and the handsome and gifted artist Rene Levi, whose colossal talent will later serve to destroy him. The trio quickly becomes best friends, inseparable, until two women get in the way—the immensely talented artist Adrienne, Rene’s girlfriend with whom Julian secretly falls in love, and the stunning artist’s model Charlotte, a prostitute-cum-muse, who manages to bring great men to their knees.

Artistic and romantic jealousies abound, as the characters play out their passions against the backdrop of the Nazis' rise to power. Felix returns to Berlin, where his father, a blue-blooded Nazi, is instrumental in creating the master plan to destroy Germany’s modern artists, and seeks his son’s help. Bolstered by vengeance, Felix will lure his friends to Germany, an ill-fated move, which will forever change their lives. Twists and turns, destruction and obsession, loss and hope will keep you up at night, as you journey from Chicago to Paris, Berlin to New York. With passionate strokes of captivating prose, Barr proves that while paintings have a canvas, passion has a face—that once exposed, the haunting images will linger . . . long after you have closed the book.

The Hollywood Film Festival awarded Fugitive Colors first prize for “Best Unpublished Manuscript” (Opus Magnum Discovery Award). The novel has been optioned for movie development by Hollywood producer Arthur Sarkissian (Rush Hour trilogy, While You Were Sleeping).

Genres: Historical Fiction, Art, Fiction, Historical, World War II, Holocaust, Jewish

400 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 2012

About the author

Lisa Barr is the New York Times bestselling author of WOMAN ON FIRE, THE UNBREAKABLES and the award-winning FUGITIVE COLORS. Her new historical thriller, THE GODDESS OF WARSAW debuts on May 28th, 2024. In addition, Lisa served as an editor for The Jerusalem Post, managing editor of Today's Chicago Woman, managing editor of Moment magazine, and as an editor/reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. Among the highlights of her career, Lisa covered the famous “handshake” between the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat, and President Bill Clinton at the White House. Lisa has been featured on Good Morning America and Today for her work as an author, journalist, and blogger. In exciting book news: Actress Sharon Stone has optioned rights to adapt WOMAN ON FIRE for film.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down and don't know where to begin with this review... there's so much going on.

The story sucked me in with its beautiful prose and held my attention...from the prologue to the final satisfying moments when the story comes full circle.

The story covers romance, art, politics, deception, revenge, betrayal, loyalty... a little bit of everything... but most of all it's about cross-cultural friendship bonded by a love for art, focusing on the rivalry between Rene Levi and Felix Von Bredow, and the role of mediator played by Julian Klein.

I was there "in the moment" witnessing the drama unfold amongst the 20-something-year-old artists who have varying artistic talent.
I was there "in the moment " experiencing the conflict and turmoil of love won and lost as their lives intertwine and destinies are shaped by the presence of two women, Adrienne and Charlotte.
I was there "in the moment" relishing the artwork portrayed via sensuous and vivid descriptive writing.

Passion burns brightly, risks are taken, choices are made - all in the name of art and friendship. Some of these choices have far-reaching and devastating effects on their lives.

Unforgettable and highly recommended!!
If I had my way, I'd give it 8 to 10 stars!!

[Skip · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful sleeper, Lisa Barr's book is ostensibly about the Nazi's theft of art during the 1930s, but she weaves of story of love, lust, friendship, jealousy and artists. Young Yakov Klein is uninterested in studying the Torah: all he wants is to become an artist, sketching and stealing art books from the local library. After being banished from home, he eventually wins a scholarship to a famous Parisian art school, but instead falls in with three young Bohemian artists, who convince him to study with them instead: a German aristocrat (Felix), a French guy (Rene Levi), and a French woman (Adrienne), who the rebranded Julian Klein loves at first sight. At their mentor's studio, a gorgeous model creates tremendous strife for the friends, and the boys eventually head to Germany to study with a famous German expressionist. Felix succumbs to patriarchal pressure to join the family business (and Nazis), his jealousy of his friends' artistic talents and the Nazi's persecution of modern art lead to unspeakable results.

[Renee Babcock · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried so hard to like this book because on paper it's got stuff I like, but I found it tedious at best. I don't honestly understand all the 5 star reviews, because this book just isn't that interesting. The characters aren't that interesting, nothing really happens, the pacing is off, and I didn't get the sense of place I wish I had. It takes place in well worn territory (Europe in the 30s, just pre WWII) so it really needs to stand out. I just kept putting this down and reading far more interesting things, and finally I gave up because I just didn't care. I wanted to like Julian, the main character, because he seemed sympathetic to me, but even so, I just didn't care, so I stopped. Life is too short to waste on books that aren't holding my attention.

[Jennifer-Eve Workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

This is going to be one of those reviews that I do where I hardly make any sense. There are not enough ways to describe just how much I loved this book!!! As a huge history buff, I love reading a book wrapped around actual historical events. The author Lisa Barr did an excellent job of describing the atmosphere in Europe prior to World War II.

Yakov Klein, a Hasidic Jew, knew at an early age that painting was his life's passion. Even though he is forbidden to indulge in this sinful act, Yakov finds a way. Stealing art books from the library, secretly drawing and hiding his work finally comes to an end when he is caught up in a moment of frenzied drawing of a merchant woman while at the market. He soon becomes a spectacle gathering the attention of fellow Jews. By the time he gets home, Yakov's father throws him out of the house. Leaving in the middle of the night, Yakov leaves behind his grieving mother and his heritage to pursue his love of art.

After Yakov sheds his name and becomes Julian arrives in Paris to attend a famed art school. Before reaching the school, he befriends three fellow artist who talk him into abandoning the school to study with them with a local famed artist. This decision thrusts Julian into a world of heartbreak, jealousies leading to betrayal, torture, and even death. Soon Julian is going from just wanting to paint to helping his closest and only friends from betraying one another to becoming a spy deep in the heart of Germany during a torturous and horrific time.

This book is one of those books that really doesn't get dusted over on your bookshelf. I have already read this book twice and have had three of my best friends buy it and love it as much as I do! This is definitely an excellent read!!

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwrought, melodramatic, unrealistic. There are parts that are well-done, especially the middle section during Julian and Rene's imprisonment. The historical truth of Nazi art theft is compelling and holds the rest of this implausible story together. But the characters are simply unbelievable in nearly every way. And the florid pearl-clutching writing. Dear me. Had to read this for book club, otherwise I would have given up on it.

[Pam Jenoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this story of passion and betrayal among the painters struggling to survive Hitler's ruthless war on art and humanity. Beautifully written and unforgettable.

[Goldie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fugitive Colors by Lisa Barr offers a sensuous and stunning entry into the art scene in Europe during World War II. This work of profoundly engaging historical fiction delves into the passion and peril of those artists who were then in the thrall of creating a wide array of modern art genres. Entartete Kunste — "degenerate art" is the term the Nazi spin doctors created to justify prohibiting, destroying and also secretly hoarding some of the works of emerging avant garde masters such as Klee, Mondrian, Munch, Chagall, Kandinsky, Nolde and over one hundred more.

Barr's riveting scenes sear with the heat of in-the-moment abstract expressionist innovation, in contrast to many earlier grand masters who would stand at easels carefully placing each stroke. She reminds us of how magnificently radical these artists were in their time, how outsider their ways in contrast to classical realism and even their Classical Impressionist forebears.

Rene began to caress the wall with midnight blue pigment, lightly dragging his brush across the white plaster, creating an undulated effect. He then added in light dabs of orange, and the texture changed completely. Julian had never seen anything like it. As the music picked up, Rene's body began to twist as he painted. He swept from left to right, blending in various shades of yellow, green and red into the blue... His full lips were parted, his breath was heavy, his eyes opened and closed rapidly as if surprised. His neck muscles seemed to be bursting through his skin. Rene looked at once monstrous and inhumanly handsome. He did not paint. He was the paint.

This insider-styled story can't help but fascinate. The action is given over through the eyes of Julian, a young Orthodox Jewish American who abandons his difficult family in service of his essence — drawing, painting-art.

When he spotted Ernst Engel's work, he had to make a conscious effort to keep his hands at his sides. He leaned forward and read the plaque: "Women Bathing." It was gorgeous, sensual and forbidden. The colors were shocking. The lake was pinkish, the sky golden, the naked bodies free-flowing with burgundy and splashes of indigo. Julian yearned to touch the painting, to feel the depth of the texture against his fingertips...

Julian may yearn to paint, but trysts and jealousies between artist friends and Nazi horrors steadily intrude with vicious intensity. The ethical dilemmas he will face yield important questions for contemplation and discussion, particularly whether to put your life and integrity at risk for a friend, or lover, or for the sake of saving works of art. Today, just over 60 years after the Holocaust, incredibly, it is not so difficult to imagine art being stalked like a fugitive. Here in America numerous fundamentalists attempt to prevent various forms of art and books from appearing in public institutions. The wielding of degenerate Nazi power is well and extensively articulated by Barr:

"Hartt," began the Baron, "you will compile the lists of artists whose work we will confiscate and the museum directors who refuse to cooperate with us. They must be dismissed from their positions immediately. Start with Berlin's Nationalgalerie, particularly the Kronprinz-Palias, it should be purged of all its modern art. Dismiss everyone who works there, effective immediately... I expect a full-scale plan on my desk at the end of this month...
"Exactly how far can I go?" Streibel piped up.
"Far enough," the Baron answered. "The key to our success is to spread fear. Once there is real fear out there, I promise you it will perpetuate and do the work for us..."

Have you, for example, perhaps viewed Emil Nolde's surviving light and life-filled color-full canvases? 1,052 of his works were taken by the Nazis, most were slashed or burned. While Fugitive Colors focuses on the evolution of Abstract Expressionism, art forms declared "degenerate" also included: Bauhaus, Fauvism, Cubism, Impressionism, Dada, New Objectivity, and Surrealism.

The Nazis exhibited the works they stole in an Entartete Kundst exhibit in Munich, featuring over 650 paintings, sculptures, prints, and books by 112 artists from July 19, 1937 until November 30 before taking the show to eleven other cities in Germany and Austria. Famously, on the night of July 27, 1942 in the gardens of the Galerie National du Jeu de Paume in Paris, works by Miro, Picasso, Ernst, Klee, Leger and Picasso were destroyed in a bonfire. According to Stephanie Barron, author of Degenerate Art: The Fate of the Avant-Garde in Nazi Germany, 16,558 works were expropriated during this time. A good number of works were secreted away by Goebbels and other Nazis leaders in hopes of future appreciation in value. Some that were found buried after the war are thought to be among the substantial collection in the Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. Major museums in Paris, Munich and New York are among those with significant collections open to the public.

Lisa Barr's Fugitive Colors is more than good reading; it is an important form of honoring the legacy of the abstract expressionists. She advances our appreciation of this genre of painting by creating readable sensations of the sort usually reported by synesthetes — where the senses switch places — tasting a color, seeing a sound, hearing a touch — a rare accomplishment.

Powerful pacing, well-developed characters, expert twists of the plot and the capacity to effectively convey genuine human and artistic sensibilities informed by in-depth period research result in a book that is hard to put down. This work of historical fiction won the Hollywood Film Festival's manuscript "Opus Magnum Discovery Award." Fugitive Colors by Lisa Barr is a book you won't be likely to forget.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may not have chosen to spend my anniversary this year in Nazi Germany, where no one could be trusted, watching as the life was stripped from sensitive artists and as great works of art were stripped from our world culture—yet I was compelled to. The interpersonal dynamics between three young artists as their idealism met with the aggressive controls instituted by Hitler (himself a frustrated artist) kept me creeping back to the book while our lobster broiled. I was well aware of my middle-class privilege as I did so, with the question posed to the protagonist—how far will you go for your art?—haunting me. I will not soon forget Julian, Felix, and René, and the emotional and physical consequences they faced for being born to paint. To see beyond what appears to be, to the truth within. The greatest nations on this earth all take great pride in their cultural treasures, and the right to expression must be guarded. This book is an inspiration and a relevant cautionary tale for our times. It would make a great book club discussion book.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a melodrama and potboiler revolving around 1930's Nazi efforts to criminalize "degenerate" modern art in pre-WWII Germany. There were enough twists and turns to the plot to keep a reader engaged (a runaway orthodox Jew who wants to be an artist, romantic liaisons and jealousies aplenty, plus some "Indiana Jones"-type exploits as two main characters escape from a concentration camp), but I struggled to feel properly engaged with the characters, few of whom felt realistic. The tale DID make me want to know more about this time in history and the plight of artists under the Nazi regime. Would it have helped if I had any particular interest in or awareness of modern art? Possibly. (I also concede I'd have enjoyed it more in non-COVID19 times, when I could have held a physical book in my hands rather than an electronic tablet -- I DO relish the ability to flip back and forth in a book to check plot-points, and even to see how far along in a book I am. My Hoopla download allowed for neither of these pleasures.)

[Stina Johansson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is annoyingly unbelievable. The premise and intentions are good but to ask us to believe that 2 Jewish artists went to vacation in Germany during the rise of Nazism, then got sent to Dachau and escaped!!!? Then escaped from several other situations and kept bumping into Felix like he's the only Nazi in Europe...on and on, unbelievable storylines continue. I get it, they live to paint. This book has some interesting points but overall poorly written.

[Jennifer S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julian (nee Yakov) Klein escapes his Orthodox Jewish upbringing to go to Paris and paint in the 1930's. He becomes part of a group of young, passionate painters and friends (or friendly rivals) - until one friend is summoned to return to Germany to share in the family business. Everything, of course, goes downhill as Julian and his best friend (also Jewish) travel to Nazi Germany to paint.

Although the novel does a masterful job of recreating the Reich's systematic appropriation and/or destruction of art and artists, I found the protagonist annoyingly spineless. Starting in Paris when he is asked to lie for one of his friends, he consistently knows what the right thing is to do and then gives in to someone's pleading. I really just wanted to shake him and say "just do what you know you should and stop giving in to other's begging...." That said, I enjoyed the last 1/3 of the book better than the first 2/3 - maybe because Julian finally did what he needed to.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 1930s, the Nazis carried out a highly organized mission to eradicate modern art. Young American artist Julian (formerly Yacov) Klein meets bohemian artists in Paris and moves on to study and paint in Germany. Interesting story for the history, detracted by anachronistic dialogue and events: "Yeah, right, said Julian." And the Nazis deface Expressionist paintings in 1936 with spray paint, not invented until 1947.

[Jennifer Blakesley (Trask) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another WW2 historical fiction 😂. This time with art thievery which is a different view of the history of that time, and one that maybe not a lot of people consider. The first 3rd of this book builds up the interpersonal relationships of the characters, which really gives the reader a good insight into their dynamic. The rest of the book is all the terrible things that happen to the protagonist and his dear friends. I will admit that it seemed to drag a bit, and this isn't even a long book. I wanted a conclusion for the characters and each time they seemed close, something else would happen and it got to be a bit much and unbelievable. However, by the end I was really committed and wanting a resolution; sweet sweet revenge. While I liked the writing and character development, I wasn't enthralled in the whole story like I was hoping to be. But I really enjoyed the ending which mostly made up for it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Jew in Germany at the beginning of Hitler’s reign was not a good plan. Being Jewish and an Expressionistic painter was much, much worse. Julian Klein has stayed in Paris learning to specify his art. He is very good but also very innocent in many ways. He makes close friends in Felix Von Bredow a child of the Reich with no artistic talent whatsoever; Rene and Adrienne – lovers and quite talented and Charlotte the model who everyone lusted after.

Before Julian hit Paris he was Yakov Klein, Hasidic Jew who stole art books from the library and drew in secret as it was against the laws of the Torah to depict art. He sold bundles of socks on a street corner and dreamed of things he shouldn’t. Then, he was caught drawing and Yakov ceased to exist.

This book is full of tears, stories of hate and cruelty and is absolutely one of the best I’ve read this year. Ms Barr has done such an great job of putting together her cast so that they go through the pages effortlessly; flying from Paris to the hatred of Germany where Felix and Rene fall in love with the same woman; to Dachau to the final chapters.

For a first novel this is such a compelling book that I had to read it over in some places to be sure I had it correct. It isn’t funny but it is a special story to be savored even if it makes you uncomfortable.


Lisa Barr’s debut novel, FUGITIVE COLORS, which won first prize at the Hollywood Film Festival for “Best Unpublished Manuscript” (Opus Magnum Awards), is a suspenseful tale of an artist’s revenge after World War II. Julian Klein, a young American artist, leaves behind his religious upbringing for the artistic freedom of Paris in the 1930s, only to find himself trapped inside a world in which a paintbrush is far more lethal than a gun.

An artist-cum-unlikely spy, Julian is forced to contend with jealous inferior artists who attempt to destroy those with true talent. Love, Friendship, Betrayal and Passion painted in FUGITIVE COLORS are never black and white. Like an abstract painting, Julian’s turbulent journey is emotionally charged as he tries to save his friends and rescue some of the most important pieces of Modern Art – including his own.

A journalist for 20 years, Lisa Barr served as an editor for five years at the Jerusalem Post in Israel, and managing editor of Moment Magazine and Today’s Chicago Woman. Most recently she served as a staff reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her work ranges from covering terrorism and politics to celebrities, lifestyle, sex and relationships. In addition, she's contributed to numerous publications worldwide. She earned her master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.

Her popular website and blog: “GIRLilla Warfare: A Mom’s Guide to Surviving the Suburban Jungle (http://girlillawarfare.com) launched in May, 2012. Lisa lives in the Chicago suburb of Deerfield, Illinois, with her husband and three teenage daughters (lots of Girl Drama, and fodder for her next novel …).

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fugitive Colors Fugitive Colors is a story about art, painters, love, revenge and redemption. The story takes place just prior to WWII and is about a group of painters that live and paint in Paris. An American, Julian Klein is the main character of the story. An idealistic young man who left America and his family because he did not want to conform to his father's rules. His father is a cruel man and does not understand Julian's desire to paint. 
 
Felix Von Bredow is a painter who is not as talented as Julian and Renee Levi, the third friend and fellow painter. Enter two women, Adrienne, Renee's girlfriend and Charlotte, the artists model. The mixture of these people is volatile to say the least, but it makes a great story. Time evolves and enter the Nazi's who are persecuting Jewish painters and confiscating their artwork. This story takes place over a long period of time
 
I know nothing about art or artist's but I found this book fascinating. There a lot of Holocaust books written lately but this one is in a class by itself, character driven and a believable story line that could very well have happened. the Hitler and his Nazis were cruel and inhuman people and it is always heartbreaking to read about the atrocities committed against a race of people. 
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the writing is very descriptive and enables the reader to almost be there. I love historical fiction and this time frame is especially interesting. I would highly recommend this book. I loved it!
 
 
 
 

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of endless intrigue centered in France and Germany during the early years of Hitler’s initiative to control the art world by eliminating degenerate art and artists ensuring only racially pure art. The story is moving and the characters complex, at times indecision was too much and caused me to be very frustrated. It does capture the difficult choices people were making to save art, deny their own beliefs and ethics when it was doubtful other choices could even exist. Morals were stripped to accommodate positioning by some. Some describe the book as; love, lust, deception, betrayal and revenge painting the pages, I agree and would add melodramatic at times. It is an interesting way to view this terrible part of history and relate a story of how challenged young artists have been historically.

[Tina Simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and moving novel about a young American man, Julian Klein, an Orthodox Jew from Chicago who runs away to Paris in the mid 1930's leaving his family to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. His first day there, he happens to meet three other artists at a cafe.
Ms. Barr writes eloquently about the relationships between these friends and how the effects of imminent war will change them both personally and professionally. It is sometimes with a lump in one's throat and at other times with bile as the reader learns the choices they each make, some with amazing inner strength while others are shown to have been born with no moral compass. A MUST READ!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely fantastic read and I was hooked from the first page. Characters were well rounded, the pacing was wonderfully done, and the story had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Julian's struggle with his friend's betrayal is heartrending, as are the terrible things he experiences at the hands of the Nazi party. Simultaneously a story about friendship, love, betrayal, jealousy, politics, religion, art and passion, Fugitive Colors offers far more than expected at first glance.

I highly recommend this for literature and historical fiction fans. Be warned: the ending is a tearjerker!

[Gabrielle Feldman hazan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Barr is a wonderful author. Fugitive Colors is a beautiful work of historical nonfiction. This is a story which will captivate you from the very beginning all the way till the end. You will be sad when it's over because the author has a wonderful ability to develop these characters and create this world you will get swept up in. I loved it!!!

[Rochelle Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Barr has written a masterful story of friendship and survival amongst Nazi Germany's art world. I loved this story of three friends and the jealousy, loyalty, and passion that drew them apart. The author's knowledge of art woven through the passages made for a truly beautiful and visual read. Her writing reminded me of the some of the greats, and I already miss the characters. Bravo.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished it because I was interested in the topic (and to a lesser extent, the plot), but the writing is disappointingly amateurish. It did get a little better in the second half though.

[Meredith Schorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing!

Lisa Barr is incredibly talented. Fugitive Colors gripped me from page one and never let go. Sad and haunting. I can’t believe it was her first novel.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very intense and well researched novel set primarily in the pre WWII period in Paris and Germany about young painters who are exploring the more modern aspects of painting at a time when the Nazis were coming to power and labeling that kind of art as degenerate. Although I knew about the Nazis "collecting" art from museums and Jewish collectors, I wasn't aware of the fact that they sold off a lot of modern art through Swiss bankers as a way of funding the Nazi rise to power. This novel combines the history of Nazism and art along with a personal (fictional) story of three young artists, two who were Jewish and one who was the son of a German baron (and Nazi) who start out as friends, but end up as bitter enemies when the German artist feels inferior to the other two and punishes them and claims their artwork as his own after putting them in a concentration camp. Don't read this if you can't take a lot of despair along with your art history, but it is powerful and well worth reading if you can take it. I understand the author is working on a prequel, which I am looking forward to reading.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 4 and a half stars on this one. The 3 main characters are painters in Paris when the book starts but their journey into Hitler's Germany propels the action. There is a very sinister feel to the writing as the action progresses. Rene, madly in love with the model, Charlotte, is the most gifted artist of the three, while the German, Felix, struggles to keep up. Julian, the American, is also gifted but he is a new arrival on the scene and his talent becomes more apparent towards the end of the story. Both Rene and Julian are Jewish and they take the rather surprising decision to accompany Felix to his homeland to study with Ernst Engel, a noted painter in the avant garde movement. All three men become entwined in the Reich's plan to destroy modern painting. The book is fast paced and the writing is superb. Along the way, the reader learns about Avant Garde artistry.

[Victoria Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I read of Lisa Barr, I loved it. I couldn't put it down, I love the historical environment, in Paris, one of my favorite cities in the world. The book starts in Chicago, the year is 1926, Yaakov Klein was born an artist, he's very interested in pursuing a career in painting. Unfortunately, his father does not agree with his plans, Yaakov must take a decision. He changes his name to Julian, then he moves to Paris, in order to make his dreams come true. He will meet interesting people like René Levi, Felix Von Bredow, Charlotte Béjart, among others. The situation in Europe has turned hostile, everyone is in danger, even talented artists. Yaakov, now Julian, must decide what to do if to stay in Europe or return to the US. Such an incredible book, that I hope is made into a movie one day. I felt like I was inside the mind of a painter, which is awesome. The story is excellently written that was easily read in one sitting.

[Magdelanye · Rating 5 out of 5]

We French tolerate Jews but don't accept them, even if we are one. p61

luck had a ay of changing all too quickly....good signs do not exist. 249

It is the art that matters to us. We come and go but our art lives on, p127

Stories also live on, as do the repercussions of our acts, whether we are conscious of this or not.
Nothing remains secret. The ruthless pillaging of art and persecution of artists by the Nazi regime was carried out brazenly, systematically, officially sanctioned and considered urgent.

In this brilliantly colored historical novel Lisa Barr paints an intimate picture of a time of questionable morality and ethical atrocities. Her characters reflect the events of the day without being caricatures, surprising the reader until the very end.

Painting...does not have to be object related. Things are obsolete; it is the emotion that is essential. 98

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing and unputdownable, Fugitive Colors is a book that brilliantly combines historical fiction and suspense. The characters and their story of love, revenge, and jealousy kept me on the edge of my seat, heart in my throat. The characters in this book, a group of young artists living in Paris and Germany as Hitler and the Nazis come into power, are friends, artists, and lovers who encompass the feelings, the sacrifices, and the evil that existed at that time. The power, the rage, and the terror of that time leaped off the pages and into my soul...the images, the raw emotions, the righteousness....pierced my heart.

[Sharlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of my favorite WWII genre novels.

[Montana Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to have finished all of Lisa Barr novels.
This one is no different with true character development, pulling you in with every shocking event. Loved every minute of it!

[BookishlyJewish]

This review originally appeared on my blog BookishlyJewish

There’s a type of extremely popular WWII book that, for personal reasons, I do not gravitate towards. You know the books I am referring to. There’s typically a woman in a wool coat on the front, standing before either a European landscape or coastline, wearing a hat that is meant to scream 'I am historical fiction', and a pair of pumps that are just sensible enough for the treacherous journey she is embarking on. She may or may not be holding a valise.

Have no fear. These books are not hurting for lack of my enthusiasm. There are entire agents and editors whose sole manuscript wish list item is “WWII literature of all genres." They fill display tables at bookstores and airports where they sell better than ice cream on a summer day and I’m happy for both their authors and their readers that they exist in such numbers. However, BookishlyJewish tends to rely on guest reviews for them because WWII and its related atrocities is not a topic I am capable of consuming as casual entertainment for a variety of personal reasons. So if my review of Fugitive Colors by Lisa Barr shows an embarrassing lack of knowledge of the conventions of this genre I am hopeful you will forgive me. I have not, nor do I aspire to, write in this sphere. I do not even intend to further read it much. But this book, which actually does not contain any scenes that take place during the actual war, caught my eye because it focused on a unique angle- stolen art. The story details not just how Nazis used confiscated art to fund the war, but also how jealously over the ability to produce art and control culture fueled many Nazis and their collaborators towards a hatred of high profile Jewish artists.

The story features Julian, a formed Hassidic Jew from the U.S., who leaves the fold to study art in Paris where he meets the extremely talented artist Rene, his enthusiastic but ungifted friend Felix, and his fiancée Adrienne. What happens next is fairly run of the mill love and friendship triangle stuff - Julian falls for Adrienne, Rene relentlessly cheats on Adrienne with an artists model while Felix stews at them all due to his inability to score with the girls or produce art deemed valuable by the who's who of art society that is constantly fawning over Rene. When Adrienne and Julian finally get together, Julian is struck with guilt for what he views as a betrayal of Rene and therefore follows him into what is quickly becoming Nazi Germany to help repair the relationship between Rene and Felix.

Putting aside our objections at Adrienne being treated as forbidden property because of a fiancé who has cheated on her, strung her along, and generally treated her like dirt, we must also contend with our hindsight leading us to scream at the absolute awful decisions these two Jewish artists are making by pursuing their Nazi sympathizing friend right into the heart of the Rhineland. This is not the last time in the book we will have to do so. The action is fast and furious and almost always caused by extremely awful decisions made by the main characters for dubious reasons. Since the book takes place in the period immediately prior to WW II during the radicalization of Germany, we also get a peek at a concentration camp that is being used to hold political prisoners before the war breaks out and it is full scale converted into a slaughterhouse for Jews. 

While all of the above is certainly stuff that will capture the eye of most readers of this particular genre, I stuck along not for the plot, but for the wonderful depictions of art and what it means to produce it. Equally captivating was the depiction of what failed artistic ambitions can do to a person. Felix, who has all the wealth in the world to comfort himself, is radicalized by his desire to be a great artist. He is constantly being turned away by those he would impress - many of them Jews. Adding salt to the wound is the fact that his friend Rene - also a Jew - seems to come to artistic acclaim so naturally.

This struggle to achieve success in a field whose rules are completely unclear and ever shifting, brings to mind thoughts I have had when combing museums and realizing I am clearly not a great art connoisseur because I often enjoy pieces on the street corner far more than those on display at auctions. If an artist isn’t reliant on gallery sales, remember Felix is extremely rich, why care what “people in the know” think about his or her art? Haven’t many great artists been mocked in their time only to be deemed masters by later generations? Who even are these supposed taste-makers, and who gave them the keys to the kingdom? 

It's easy for someone on the outside to mock, but I've seen similar cycles in my own field. I have never been able to produce much in terms of visual art, but I do try and tell a good story, and I enjoy recognition for that as much as the next person does. Gaining access to readers often means convincing an insular group of "publishing professionals" to pick your story. Writers must make it through a barrage of gate keepers who will tell them they are worthless over and over again. Self publishing has evened out a small part of the playing field, but that wasn't available in Felix's time. Besides, he probably still would have been a Nazi. Because as much as those who perform unthinkable acts of hate would like to blame others for their actions, the fault usually lies deeply buried within themselves. A sense of both insecurity, self loathing, and entitlement leads them to think the world owes them something and that it is completely normal to use violence to obtain what has not been freely given. No amount of accolades is going to cure that.

Content warning: The book features a lovely prologue showing how Julian's artistic talent is a gift from God, but then included what I found to be a cliched version of leaving an ultra religious community. From the authors note, it seems this addition was made at the request of a critique group. I wish the author had opted to discard that particular feedback. Stories of leaving an insular religious community are as varied as the people who choose to do so, yet we always seem to be given only one type of narrative. For me, this story had very little impact on the coming plot or character development. I would therefore encourage my readers who find such tales painful, to simply skip it. There’s been a lot of talk about the way such stories are depicted in media, by people more qualified than I am, but a lot of it occurred after the publication of this book. So simply consider this a content warning for those that need it. 

The cover of the edition of Fugitive Colors that I read did feature a European landscape, the Eiffel Tower, but there was no human figure. Instead it focused on intriguing shading. I could feel the intentions of the artist who created it. That’s a good match for the book. It was a worthy read for me because of how it allowed me to relate to art. I was able to suspend my disbelief at the egregious choices everyone seemed to be making for reasons I could not discern, because the art kept pulling me along. Hopefully, whatever way you choose to engage with art of any form, this book will provide some insights into that process for you too.