Warpaint

by Stephanie A. Smith

A haunting tale of friendship and rivalry between three women artists, who've known each other for years, who must come to terms with imminent mortality and artistic Liz Moore, born poor in Minnesota, fought her way to New York in the 1920s, but isn't discovered until late in life; C.C. Davis, a well-to-do New Yorker is Moore's only student, and rival, who, just after WWII achieves some small success, but feels, as she faces cancer in 2002, a failure; and Quiola Kerr, part Ojibwe, once C.C.'s lover, who is caught in the middle, and who, as a painter in the 21st century, has the most doubts about art's value in an electronic world. In April 2002, all three meet a week before C.C.'s mastectomy at a MOMA retrospective for Liz Moore, but their reunion is tense. Still, they try to cope, until C.C. makes an unexpected and controversial choice, one which nearly breaks the bonds these three took so many decades to forge, and forces Quiola to try to confront Liz, who she believes deliberately sabotaged C.C.'s career.

Genres: Fiction

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2012

About the author

Stephanie A. Smith holds a PhD from UC Berkeley and teaches American Literature at the University of Florida. She studied fiction with both Ursula K. Le Guin and Michael Cunningham, and is the author of six novels, including the recent WARPAINT Trilogy (Thames River Press) and two books of criticism, along with numerous essays, chapters, reviews and short stories.

http://www.stephanieasmith.net for more!

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warpaint is a highly original novel, and based on an interesting premise. The dynamic between three generations of female artists, each of whom is in possession of a strong personality, is curious. In the beginning their relationship veers between obvious and mysterious, Liz Moore, the eldest, is an enigma. It is clear that her talent has shaped the way she views the world and those in it, and has perhaps changed her over time - there is something spiky about her.

C.C. has had Liz as a mentor since childhood, which explains the extent to which she tolerates Liz's more acerbic behaviour. As Liz has achieved success in later life, and C.C. faces terminal illness and obscurity, I would have expected there to be more tension between them. It's as though Quiola, a former lover of C.C.'s, is indignant on her behalf. Rather tragically, it seems that C.C.'s love for Quiola has never diminished; although Quiola cares for her loyally, she has had a husband and other lovers between her relationship with C.C. and the novel's beginning.

The different layers to the dynamic are understood through a changing timeline. Although this is an effective device insofar as it allows the reader to understand the characters' respective motives, Warpaint is subsequently more difficult to understand and enjoy. It would have benefited from more clarity and description. Not all of the characters were particularly easy to like which, arguably, made it a more realistic book. However, it detracted from the extent to which I cared about what happened to them.

C.C.'s battle with cancer is harrowing. Her determination and stubbornness made me want her to live, although her ending was perfect. That she did not ask Liz's advice or seek Quiola's affection or sympathy showed a degree of character development that made her suicide all the more striking. It was terribly sad, but she died with dignity.

My favourite element of Warpaint is the depiction of Quiola as the one who is left behind. Trying to forge a new life and fill the vacuum left by C.C., whom she loved (although no longer romantically) and Liz would not have been easy. The reader sees Quiola's strength, and gains more of an insight into her as an individual, which is most gratifying.

Warpaint is a good book, and I'm glad to have read it, but it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. There was a heavy reliance on lesbianism as a plot device, which struck me as a bit gimmicky, but then it was a positive representation which I commend. Whether or not Warpaint appeals to you, I doubt very much you'll have read a book quite like it.

[Natacha Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

These women will live on in my heart and imagination long after this book has been put on the shelf. Bravo, Stephanie A. Smith--Bravo! Looking forward to the next one in the series! :)

[Stephanie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What else? I'm thrilled.