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Hold Still
Hold Still is set in 1860s London and Paris, and is a fictional account of a short period in the life of Joanna Hiffernan, the muse and model of both James Whistler and Gustave Courbet.
Cherry Smyth has created an enthralling picture of what must have been a remarkable woman. How did a young girl, just seventeen when she met Jim Whistler, admittedly with beautiful red hair, and a vivid personality, inspire talented painters to create wonderful paintings such as: Whistler’s Symphony in White, No.1: The White Girl and Courbet’s La Belle Irlandaise?
Hold Still tells the story from Jo’s point of view. Her father instils in her a sense of self and Jo grows up to be a free spirit, a suffragette avant la lettre. Jo draws you in on her journey and her growing sense of her own artistic identity.
The novel offers a wonderful insight into the artistic process; the rivalry and at the same time the supportive camaraderie. At the heart of the story is love, which shapes Jo’s life: She loves him looking at her, feels as if she is made for his gaze, is made anew in it.
You get a fresh understanding of how women in Victorian society were supposed to behave. Jo tackles this head on, and it is this courage that enables her to progress from seemingly being used as an artist’s model, to turn this into the break she needs to make her way in life.
Read Hold Still for an interpretation of Courbet’s notorious The Origin of the World’s genesis, with a highly plausible explanation of the absent head and face of the model.
Cherry Smyth has created an enthralling picture of what must have been a remarkable woman. How did a young girl, just seventeen when she met Jim Whistler, admittedly with beautiful red hair, and a vivid personality, inspire talented painters to create wonderful paintings such as: Whistler’s Symphony in White, No.1: The White Girl and Courbet’s La Belle Irlandaise?
Hold Still tells the story from Jo’s point of view. Her father instils in her a sense of self and Jo grows up to be a free spirit, a suffragette avant la lettre. Jo draws you in on her journey and her growing sense of her own artistic identity.
The novel offers a wonderful insight into the artistic process; the rivalry and at the same time the supportive camaraderie. At the heart of the story is love, which shapes Jo’s life: She loves him looking at her, feels as if she is made for his gaze, is made anew in it.
You get a fresh understanding of how women in Victorian society were supposed to behave. Jo tackles this head on, and it is this courage that enables her to progress from seemingly being used as an artist’s model, to turn this into the break she needs to make her way in life.
Read Hold Still for an interpretation of Courbet’s notorious The Origin of the World’s genesis, with a highly plausible explanation of the absent head and face of the model.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2013
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 12, 2014
Hold Still, début novel by art critic and poet Cherry Smyth continues the trend, narrating a significant period in the life of artists’ muse and model Joanna Hiffernan, the woman now widely believed to be the face behind Gustave Courbet’s controversial painting; L’Origine du monde (soon to be displayed in the Relish en-suite bathroom if I can find a nice frame!) Charting her relationship with temperamental American artist James Whistler, her blossoming one with the tremendous Courbet and the general pitfalls, hopes and dreams of being an artists’ muse, a Victorian woman of humble origins and an aspiring artist all in one, this novel lived above and beyond its tantalising blurb and nicely unassuming book jacket to entertain and enlighten me all the way through the gloomy January days.
Flitting between the bohemian, intellectual circles of mid 19th-century Paris and London (a big tick location/time wise for any novel I might care to read), Smyth has harnessed her work as an art critic and curator to lend authenticity and vivacity to this fictionalised account of a remarkable woman’s life, an account that, as far as I can tell, seems as true to the real tale as we could possibly be. Certain moments throughout Jo’s dramatic, romantic tale can seem at odds with the image we have in our mind of a typical Victorian woman; displaying an independence of mind, body and spirit that we admire in our own, 21st-century selves:
‘ She is laughing, her body’s pleasure distilling into clarity and boldness, red as a matador’s cape. This is the fire she has stolen, the trail of bright flame, her own power.’
p.250
18750483Some modern authors may have a tendency to throw our modern attitudes and fancies onto their period characters without much thought. Although still living somewhat on the whims of the men she loves, Jo’s strength, intelligence and modernity seems genuine, a rejection of those ‘real women’ of a Dickensian persuasion who often seem a little too sensitive and fatalistic for their own good. Her modest beginnings could have spelt a very different life for her, much like that of her Bridget. Instead, Smyth has afforded us a glimpse into this woman’s exciting world. A world I wouldn’t really have had a clue about (despite an active interest in art) without reading this wonderfully entertaining novel. Much like Gallic Books, pioneering publishing house Holland Park Press have discovered a real gem in Cherry Smyth. All you lovers of fancy book covers place aside your shallow thoughts aside in favour of content. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Flitting between the bohemian, intellectual circles of mid 19th-century Paris and London (a big tick location/time wise for any novel I might care to read), Smyth has harnessed her work as an art critic and curator to lend authenticity and vivacity to this fictionalised account of a remarkable woman’s life, an account that, as far as I can tell, seems as true to the real tale as we could possibly be. Certain moments throughout Jo’s dramatic, romantic tale can seem at odds with the image we have in our mind of a typical Victorian woman; displaying an independence of mind, body and spirit that we admire in our own, 21st-century selves:
‘ She is laughing, her body’s pleasure distilling into clarity and boldness, red as a matador’s cape. This is the fire she has stolen, the trail of bright flame, her own power.’
p.250
18750483Some modern authors may have a tendency to throw our modern attitudes and fancies onto their period characters without much thought. Although still living somewhat on the whims of the men she loves, Jo’s strength, intelligence and modernity seems genuine, a rejection of those ‘real women’ of a Dickensian persuasion who often seem a little too sensitive and fatalistic for their own good. Her modest beginnings could have spelt a very different life for her, much like that of her Bridget. Instead, Smyth has afforded us a glimpse into this woman’s exciting world. A world I wouldn’t really have had a clue about (despite an active interest in art) without reading this wonderfully entertaining novel. Much like Gallic Books, pioneering publishing house Holland Park Press have discovered a real gem in Cherry Smyth. All you lovers of fancy book covers place aside your shallow thoughts aside in favour of content. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
November 3, 2013
Hold Still is set in 1860s London and Paris, and is a fictional account of a short period in the life of Joanna Hiffernan, the muse and model of both James Whistler and Gustave Courbet.
Cherry Smyth has created an enthralling picture of what must have been a remarkable woman. How did a young girl, just seventeen when she met Jim Whistler, admittedly with beautiful red hair, and a vivid personality, inspire talented painters to create wonderful paintings such as: Whistler’s Symphony in White, No.1: The White Girl and Courbet’s La Belle Irlandaise?
Hold Still tells the story from Jo’s point of view. Her father instils in her a sense of self and Jo grows up to be a free spirit, a suffragette avant la lettre. Jo draws you in on her journey and her growing sense of her own artistic identity.
The novel offers a wonderful insight into the artistic process; the rivalry and at the same time the supportive camaraderie. At the heart of the story is love, which shapes Jo’s life: She loves him looking at her, feels as if she is made for his gaze, is made anew in it.
You get a fresh understanding of how women in Victorian society were supposed to behave. Jo tackles this head on, and it is this courage that enables her to progress from seemingly being used as an artist’s model, to turn this into the break she needs to make her way in life.
Read Hold Still for an interpretation of Courbet’s notorious The Origin of the World’s genesis, with a highly plausible explanation of the absent head and face of the model.
Cherry Smyth has created an enthralling picture of what must have been a remarkable woman. How did a young girl, just seventeen when she met Jim Whistler, admittedly with beautiful red hair, and a vivid personality, inspire talented painters to create wonderful paintings such as: Whistler’s Symphony in White, No.1: The White Girl and Courbet’s La Belle Irlandaise?
Hold Still tells the story from Jo’s point of view. Her father instils in her a sense of self and Jo grows up to be a free spirit, a suffragette avant la lettre. Jo draws you in on her journey and her growing sense of her own artistic identity.
The novel offers a wonderful insight into the artistic process; the rivalry and at the same time the supportive camaraderie. At the heart of the story is love, which shapes Jo’s life: She loves him looking at her, feels as if she is made for his gaze, is made anew in it.
You get a fresh understanding of how women in Victorian society were supposed to behave. Jo tackles this head on, and it is this courage that enables her to progress from seemingly being used as an artist’s model, to turn this into the break she needs to make her way in life.
Read Hold Still for an interpretation of Courbet’s notorious The Origin of the World’s genesis, with a highly plausible explanation of the absent head and face of the model.
March 14, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I loved being transported back into the extraordinary spheres of the 1800s art world in Paris and London, and meeting the colourful cast of characters that inhabited them. The feeling I had whilst reading Hold Still, was one that reminded me of Lewis Carroll’s story, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Alice, falling down the rabbit hole with ever more eccentric creatures and characters floating up past her. Where was Joanna Hiffernan heading and when would she land? The powerful character portrayals are vividly brought to life, and I felt as if I was accompanying them on their various sojourns across France and London.
Arresting descriptions of coastal scenery in France, and all perspectives on landscape and interior spheres are totally captivating. Turning each page I felt as if I was walking through dimensions of canvas, immersed in the scenery both depicted and lived in by the various artists in the novel. Ingenious! My only grumble is that I did not want the story to end.
Fay.
Arresting descriptions of coastal scenery in France, and all perspectives on landscape and interior spheres are totally captivating. Turning each page I felt as if I was walking through dimensions of canvas, immersed in the scenery both depicted and lived in by the various artists in the novel. Ingenious! My only grumble is that I did not want the story to end.
Fay.
May 26, 2022
Long on imagination, if short on evidence, this is an entertaining book about the private life of Whistler’s muse, Joanna Hiffernan. It supposes her as an artist, contributing to the art of Whistler and Courbet as an equal collaborator and discovering herself as an artist, although there are no extant copies of any work by her.
September 3, 2017
I will say that this topic for a story is a great idea. I think if there is any grey area in a famous, historical person's life that means it's practically calling to an author to take a stab at what their life might have been like. I especially love books having to do with the inspiration of famous works of art. It lifts the veil of mystery about the work - even if the story is just fiction.
However, even if this type of story is right up my alley, my approval of the topic is all I can really recommend about the book. I hadn't meant to take this long to read and review a book, especially since I am on winter break from work and imagined I would get through a ton of books. I could say that I got caught up in getting engaged and becoming a manic wedding planner or that I got caught up in the holidays, but what really happened is I could not for the life of me get into this book. For some reason 6 pages max was all I could get through, until I just sat myself down one day and powered through it. The introduction seemed messy to me because Jo's relationship with the first painter, James Whistler, is just sort of thrown at you and you're forced to accept it and move on. I don't think there was enough introduction to either characters or their chemistry. Their relationship is the main focus of the book so you certainly see there is chemistry there but it's just something you accept because that's where the story takes you. I also couldn't stand the main character, Whistler, or 90% of the other characters with the exception of Gustave Courbet. Jo's decisions were very frustrating with no real change for the better, Whistler was whiny and selfish, and the other artists seemed very hoity toity about art that as the reader I didn't feel a part of their world. Maybe I need to learn more about art? No thanks.
I was surprised I didn't latch on to this book at all because it definitely falls in line with what I usually choose to read. If you're looking for historical fiction books about muses or artistic inspiration I feel like there are many other books that satisfied me more than this did. As short a read as it is, I would say skip this one.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
However, even if this type of story is right up my alley, my approval of the topic is all I can really recommend about the book. I hadn't meant to take this long to read and review a book, especially since I am on winter break from work and imagined I would get through a ton of books. I could say that I got caught up in getting engaged and becoming a manic wedding planner or that I got caught up in the holidays, but what really happened is I could not for the life of me get into this book. For some reason 6 pages max was all I could get through, until I just sat myself down one day and powered through it. The introduction seemed messy to me because Jo's relationship with the first painter, James Whistler, is just sort of thrown at you and you're forced to accept it and move on. I don't think there was enough introduction to either characters or their chemistry. Their relationship is the main focus of the book so you certainly see there is chemistry there but it's just something you accept because that's where the story takes you. I also couldn't stand the main character, Whistler, or 90% of the other characters with the exception of Gustave Courbet. Jo's decisions were very frustrating with no real change for the better, Whistler was whiny and selfish, and the other artists seemed very hoity toity about art that as the reader I didn't feel a part of their world. Maybe I need to learn more about art? No thanks.
I was surprised I didn't latch on to this book at all because it definitely falls in line with what I usually choose to read. If you're looking for historical fiction books about muses or artistic inspiration I feel like there are many other books that satisfied me more than this did. As short a read as it is, I would say skip this one.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
December 29, 2013
Did I enjoy this book: Yes.
Scandalous and sizzling.
I’m glad I read this book on my kindle because I’m afraid the pages of a paperback would have caught fire during some of those sex scenes.
Ok. I think I’ve cooled down enough to write my review. Shew!
Smyth’s writing is more poetry than prose. The story flows from the point of view of a young wanna be artist who models for the more established painters. Her artistic perception picks up every slight detail of behavior and expressions (think: Sherlock Holmes).
The character development in this novel is Shakespearean. Jo, especially, has depth and mystery. She explores all the emotional intricacies of love, experimental sex, economic realities, and cultural/gender expectations.
The story line is linear with each scene eloquently descriptive with multilayered imagery and themes.
Would I recommend it: I would. Note: This book would definitely receive an R rating for sexual content.
Will I read it again: No.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/12/re...
Scandalous and sizzling.
I’m glad I read this book on my kindle because I’m afraid the pages of a paperback would have caught fire during some of those sex scenes.
Ok. I think I’ve cooled down enough to write my review. Shew!
Smyth’s writing is more poetry than prose. The story flows from the point of view of a young wanna be artist who models for the more established painters. Her artistic perception picks up every slight detail of behavior and expressions (think: Sherlock Holmes).
The character development in this novel is Shakespearean. Jo, especially, has depth and mystery. She explores all the emotional intricacies of love, experimental sex, economic realities, and cultural/gender expectations.
The story line is linear with each scene eloquently descriptive with multilayered imagery and themes.
Would I recommend it: I would. Note: This book would definitely receive an R rating for sexual content.
Will I read it again: No.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/12/re...
December 2, 2013
My favourite genre at the moment is fictional re-imaginings of the lives of historical figures – the centre of the Venn diagram between truth and fabrication. Smyth’s novel suits my current mood beautifully. This is a fictionalisation of a few years in the life of Jo Hiffernan: artist and model. She modelled for Whistler’s The White Girl (left), Courbet’s La Belle Irlandaise, and, probably, his sensational L’Origine du Monde. Hold Still largely focuses on her time with James Whistler, spent between London and France in the 1860s; the fluctuations of their passionate relationship form the main drama of this novel. I felt sad for Jo at times, as her ambition is subsumed by her caring roles for her mother and then Whistler, but there are brighter scenes too and an uplifting conclusion. It is almost allegorical in its exposition of a woman defined by male gaze, yet striving for autonomy.Read more at http://eveproofreads.com/2013/11/22/h...
January 4, 2023
‘A masterpiece in B major’
A beautifully crafted poetic account of the life of Jo Hiffernan, the muse of James Whistler and Gustave Courbet. The prose of Cherry Smyth sways with sheer elegance just like a brush on canvas. The graceful imagery is strongly rooted in the author’s broad intellectual knowledge. Every page could be turned into a separate painting, each a masterpiece on its own. Just like in Alfonso’s Cuaron film Roma, in which every shot represents a photograph. From deeply touching and witty scenes to sensual and wildly captivating sexual passages, Hold Still fills the reader with sheer excitement. A true jewel of a book.
A beautifully crafted poetic account of the life of Jo Hiffernan, the muse of James Whistler and Gustave Courbet. The prose of Cherry Smyth sways with sheer elegance just like a brush on canvas. The graceful imagery is strongly rooted in the author’s broad intellectual knowledge. Every page could be turned into a separate painting, each a masterpiece on its own. Just like in Alfonso’s Cuaron film Roma, in which every shot represents a photograph. From deeply touching and witty scenes to sensual and wildly captivating sexual passages, Hold Still fills the reader with sheer excitement. A true jewel of a book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews