The Sensualist: An Illustrated Novel

by Barbara Hodgson

A scholar’s search for her husband unfolds a hallucinatory tale of vengeance in a mystery illustrated by the artist and author of The Tattooed Map.When her journalist husband suddenly goes missing, art historian Helen Martin travels to Vienna to find him. But soon after her arrival, she finds herself entering a strange world of twilight, dream logic, and danger. Traveling by train with a mysterious box of wonders, Helen’s search for her husband takes her headlong into a tense mystery with provocative links to the past. The clues Helen must piece together—jewels, notes, ancient anatomy texts—are all presented to the reader in Barbara Hodgson’s illustrations. Both a complex thriller and an investigation of the senses, The Sensualist explores the limitations of looking and the boundless power of seeing.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Art, Fantasy, Ebooks, Adult Fiction, Unfinished

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Barbara Hodgson is a book designer with a degree in archeology and a diploma in graphic design. She began her career in book design by working for Douglas & McIntyre, moving from freelance designer to art director prior to taking on freelance work for other publishers and ultimately forming the book-packaging company Byzantium Books with Nick Bantock in 1993.

Designing books led to writing books: Hodgson is the author of No Place for a Lady, Dreaming of East, and Italy Out of Hand, all published by Greystone Books, and several other highly praised non-fiction books. She is also the author of four acclaimed illustrated novels Lives of Shadows, Hippolyte’s Island, The Sensualist, and The Tattooed Map.

Hodgson’s books are unique in that they combine her writing with a multitude of illustrations of various types drawn from a wide range of sources, including engravings, lithographs, photographs, stereo-cards, postcards, movie stills, and pulp magazine and novel covers. These days, the flea market is the consummate collector’s primary source of research and inspiration.

Barbara Hodgson lives in Vancouver.

Reviews

[Magdelanye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never judge a book by its cover is a cliche that invites caution and warns about being duped by design. In the case of the Sensualist, because the book itself is so gorgeous, I was braced for disappointment in the writing.

In fact, I had to be wooed a bit, because the opening is grotesque and it took a while for me to warm up to Helen Martin, scholar of antique anatomical illustration, in which I have not the slightest interest. Yet in spite of Barbara Hodgsons lack of an attempt to present her as even remotely likable, quite soon I was enamoured of Helen. Although she is presented as someone who is probably quite mad, as the story unfolds she reveals an unflappable wit and an unexpected wealth of compassion and warmth, steadfastedness and courage.
She has come to Europe on a wild goose chase, and on the way as we follow her progress to and from Vienna, a mystery unfolds that corresponds to her own position. For she has been dead to her marriage and consequently stalled in her own life, dead to the life of her senses. There are two
conclusions to her awakening. one a neat solution to the mystery, and one a maddening tangle of threads.

Parralleling the fantastic element of the story and enclosed in it is the immpecably researched history of the 16th century anatomist Andreas Vesalius.The ingenious use of a box and the plentiful rare illustrations gave a fascinating account.


I cannot say much more without spoiling the plot and the delight of each of her encounters.
Helen is a no nonsense kind of woman, and the aplomb which she exhibits as each of her senses comes alive, provides some hilarious juxtapositions. The writing is gorgeous in its simple complexity and carries one along late into the night. Definately a magnificent book to come back to.

[Craig Lawver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tale, beautiful book

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated mystery follows Helen Martin on a very strange journey. An expert in antique anatomical illustrations she goes on a trip to track down her missing husband, all the while feeling not quite herself. She goes through several strange transformations a little like poor Gregor Samsa, she's never sure who she'll be when she wakes up. Mostly i just loved the strange images that are scattered throughout.

[Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cross between The Club Dumas & The World According to Garp. It starts off wonderfully, eccentric characters, strange circumstances, oddities galore. Unfortunately, much like The C.D., it bogs down in the middle with too much about what drawing came from what block carved by what guy and when? Barbara Hodgson fails to tie all the elements together; by the end, most all of the questions I had about the reality that this book presents were still unanswered.

[Kate Lansky · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest problem with this book, beyond the disconnect others have commented on, was that the main character just didn't seem to know her profession. By the end of the book, I felt like this could have happened to anyone, that what she did for a living meant nothing. It was deeply, deeply frustrating for me!

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the art - antiqued layers of mystery. The characters and plots started off with the same, rich layered appeal. But somewhere about halfway it all fell away. I thought her book, "The Tattooed Map" was a better reflection of the writer and artist.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was great potential here, but it was unrealized. The plot lines scattered in all directions. What resolution was offered was patchy and haphazard. Like the box of relics that turn to dust - so do the various elements in the story.

[Ariane · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the top 3 list of my favorite books. Part mystery, part travel novel, part introspection. It had me hooked from the first page.

[Cindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmm. Where to start? Strange, weird... just plain bizzare? Had to finish to see if it resolved. Nope. Too many loose ends. Too many questions unanswered. Clever idea, poor execution.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up used somewhere and took it home primarily because there were pictures. When I saw it was published by Chronicle Books I was excited, because they are one of my favourite publishers. I wasn't sure about the story at first when it started, but I fell in love with the story. It is so surreal, and weird, and everything is so twisty. It reminded me a bit of Slavic Absurdist writing. So happy I came upon this delightful read.

[Josée Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gothic, mysterious and surreal historical novel with illustrations throughout. I loved the info on early anatomist Andreas Vesalius and the anatomical and "cabinet of curiosties"-type illustrations.
The surreal happenings and characters in this book would make for a great book club discussion.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute treasure every bookshelf should have. The story along with the illustrations will completely immerse all of your senses... the only thing missing is literal scratch and sniff. Amazing book, I'm always recommending this book to people.

[Elizabeth Desole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had this book in my to-read pile for so long and was really looking forward to it. But it fell flat. The story was too surreal for me and felt like a thin attempt to create a story around the lovely illustrations. It felt like a gimmick to me

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

A self-indulgent collection of words and punctuation masquerading as a story.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting

[Jaymee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anatomy, history, (dis)embodiment are some of the focus of this novel. Not quite sure whether it's interestingly nice or just strange: it's that kind of book. The visuals were beautiful; however, the text and story don't seem to deliver, despite its promising premise. Hodgson could have done so much with her researches on the history of anatomy, including the themes which she chose--disembodiment and disjointedness--but somehow they fail to capture one's emotions and attention. That said, the visual additions (pop-ups, pages from anatomy books) seem as if they were only included to spice up an otherwise plain story.

[Dimitri Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I say to my kids when they ask me about a book one of three things. When ask about this book by my daughter I told her "Poppy had to drag himself through this one sweetie". The opening line is awesome but the book doesn't quite live up to it. The lead character doesn't seem to know her job and the book itself spends way too much time trying to teach the reader things the main character needs to know but that we might not in order to enjoy the story.

[Sarah Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have an exceptional tolerance for stories that don't quite make sense, for plots with huge missing pieces that require one to trust that the author will eventually clear things up. The Sensualist truly tested my patience in regards to surrealist mysteries. however, it also kept me curious and connected. this is a book to take on if you have several hours to commit to getting involved, not one that can be picked up and put down again casually. but if you do have the time, it's a odd and intriguing adventure.

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me just sum it up in one word: weird. I don't even know why I kept reading...it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. Something about the writing kept me going, but the story was twisted, convoluted and downright strange! The best part of the book: the heavy paper it was printed on. Even the illustrations (which, I admit, were part of what drew me to this book, along with the 50 cent price tag) were somewhat disappointing. But it does contain a flip-out diagram of a head, if that is of interest...

[Austin Peters · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only reason I gave this book a full star is because of the amazing pictures. I was only able to get about 2/3 of the way through this book before setting it down and not being able to bring myself to pick it up again. The writing is drab and the story uninteresting, not to mention confusing. Who knows, maybe the end was worth it; I'll never know.

[Elana]

The story of the Vesalius print becomes too complicated and the story of Martin becomes too simple. Otherwise brilliant use of illustrations of the contents of the box. The senses were played to much more towards the beginning of the book and were less enthralling later on. I think I would have to read this book again to be sure I picked up on everything.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strange and wonderful and unpredictable book - but you'd better have a taste for a certain level of scholarship & historical minutiae if you want to enjoy it. Not to mention a lack of tidy resolution of the main character's life dilemmas. Lots of fun, with intriguing artwork throughout. Fun fun. Glad I read it.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ignoring the fact that the plot of this book makes v. little sense (and that those sense-making parts are sometimes hilariously overwritten), it was an enjoyable, disturbing, and sometimes beautiful read.

[Apple Austria · Rating 3 out of 5]

i couldn't wait to finish it cause i knew that i would only understand what the whole race to vienna was all about once i'm done.. true enough.. i loved how the two timelines met.. i loved how it confused me.. =)

[lynna · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like this book... it's mystery is interesting... it's exploration of the senses is subtle and weird at times... the ending was a little weak.

[DoctorM · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery about anatomical illustrations, and about Vienna. Beautiful to look at, eerie to read.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Ms. Hodgson's writing but I LOVE the art! It's what makes all her books for me. The story line of this one was a bit obtuse at times but, after all, it is a mystery.

[Caleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

So very mystical and captivating, although it seems impossible to give such otherworldly tales a satisfactory ending.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

[Belinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very strange