Любовниците на Пикасо

by Jeanne Mackin, Джийн Макин, Елена Кодинова (Translator)

Нюйоркчанката Алана Олсън винаги се е чувствала свързана с Пабло Пикасо заради обичта на испанската ѝ майка към него. Наскоро завършила история на изкуството, Алана се опитва да пробие като журналистка в специализирано списание, но през 50-те години на миналия век това е почти недостъпно поприще за жени. Когато все пак получава задача да напише статия за Пикасо, тя вижда своя шанс най-сетне да се срещне и направи интервю с великия художник.

Две жени ще се окажат незаменими нейни помощници със спомените си за страстните им авантюри на Френската Ривиера през 1923 година. Сара Мърфи и Ирен Лагю ще разкрият пред Алана скрити подробности, които ще я доближат до Пикасо много повече, отколкото някога си е представяла. Междувременно обаче журналистката ще трябва да се справя със собствената си реалност, доминирана от напрегнатите отношения с годеника ѝ и надигащата се заплаха от маккартизма в Америка.

И не на последно място – от множеството тайни на покойната ѝ майка, които са на път да преобърнат живота на Алана завинаги.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Art, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Audiobook, France

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 2024

About the author

Jeanne Mackin is the author of The Beautiful American and A Lady of Good Family. In addition to several other novels as well as short fiction and creative nonfiction, she is the author of the Cornell Book of Herbs and Edible Flowers and co-editor of The Norton Book of Love. She lives with her husband in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - why is GR broken? -_- · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Jeanne Mackin for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.23!!**

As much as the world already knows, Alana Olson believes there is more to Picasso's story than meets the eye...and she is DETERMINED to write the perfect article to reveal the truth. As a female journalist amidst a sea of men in the 1950's, Alana has her work cut out for her...and knowing Picasso's philandering ways, there is a part of her that is apprehensive about diving into the past of this master. However, her determination leads the way, and Alana dives into the investigation head-on. Her research leads her to Sara Murphy, who knew Picasso and spent time with him back in 1923... and she has QUITE the tale to tell.

While Alana finds herself wrapped up in her own 'affair' of sorts with a handsome man who owns the hotel she is staying at, the more she learns about Picasso, the more intrigued she becomes...and feels like there is one piece to this puzzle that has specifically led HER here. Finding out the truth behind the many affairs and romantic entanglements that inspired Pablo to create some of his most iconic works and the many muses that ended up in his bed (or wished they had!) What Alana discovers seems like a coincidence...but could there be even MORE to this story than she ever imagined? Will she have the courage to look the artist himself in the eye...and demand the answers she is desperate to discover? Or will her fear, looming political tensions in the world around her, and the internal struggle about whether or not to remain in her marriage keep her distracted from a potentially life-changing truth?

For historical fiction to truly work well for me, it needs three elements: an authentic and atmospheric setting, compelling and realistic characters, and a plot that doesn't get overly convoluted due to messy timelines or sloppy storytelling. I am glad to say that with this book, Mackin delivered on ALL three levels. This is a bit of a slower book to start, and the first bit is narrated by one of the women in Picasso's life, Irene. When the narrative switched, I first thought we were going to receive narration from ALL of Picasso's lovers mentioned in the text (In sort of a round robin way), and although I thought this would be confusing after a while, I thought it was a clever device. Luckily, the narrative switches to Alana and stays there for the majority of the book...and I think this was to the benefit of the story, as it helped me keep details, time, and of COURSE the women, straight throughout.

There's something enchanting about the air of the French Riviera, especially during the time period explored in this story, and even the cover immediately draws you into this era effortlessly. I appreciated all of the nods to the time period and as someone who was relatively uninformed about Picasso prior to reading this book, I felt like I got brought up to speed quickly. References to some of his most famous paintings, from Guernica to The Lovers, helped to bring the story to life and neatly blended the line between fact and fiction. Mackin also mentions in her authors note specifically what was complete fiction versus reference to real life for clarity, and these are the sort of touches that made this an informative experience while still having the 'fiction' feel.

The third act conflict, especially, feels both expected AND very unlikely...but at the same time, there is JUST enough potential for it to BE true based on what we come to learn about both Picasso and Alana that it almost gives the story an air of magical realism. Do you need to suspend disbelief a little? Sure. But since it's only a minor suspension, it felt very in line with the context of the overall story. Mackin's attention to detail in weaving in the political climate of the time, and mirroring the infidelity in Picasso's story with the infidelity in Alana's own present situation, helped to expand the depth and breadth of the narrative too. And of course, there's the character of Picasso...who is a real person, of course, but it's up to YOU whether you sympathize with him, are angry with him...or, like so many in his life, just find him IMPOSSIBLE to truly figure out! 🕵️‍♀️

Though studying Picasso's Lovers through the lens of this semi-fictional tale is only one piece of the elaborate puzzle that was Pablo Picasso, it is his genius that can't truly be put into words. And no one put this inner dichotomy of man vs. art into better perspective than Aristotle himself:"There is no great genius without a touch of madness." 🎨

4 stars

[Teres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look, it’s no secret Pablo Picasso was a womanizer — he went through them as quickly as paint brushes — however, many of his lovers were artists themselves. Sadly, most were seen and/or remembered only as muses for the genius Picasso’s creative expression.

Jeanne Mackin’s most recent work of historical fiction, Picasso’s Lovers, shines a light on some of these women.

Alana Olson, a young art historian and aspiring journalist, hopes to land a piece in ARTNews. Her late mother, Marti, had a strange fascination with Pablo Picasso and inspired Alana’s doctoral thesis on his work.

Alana interviews Sara Murphy, one of Picasso’s models from his days in Paris and summers on the French Riviera.

The story alternates between the 1920s and 1950s as Ms. Murphy regales us with tales of Irène Lagut, Olga Khokhlova, Françoise Gilot, Jacqueline Roque, and others caught up in the painter’s orbit.

I quite enjoyed that Picasso himself took a backseat throughout the narrative. The focus here really is on these rather fascinating and varied women.

There’s also a bit of a mystery that unspools, and while not terribly surprising, it throws a nice curveball into the storyline as well as Alana’s life.

This was my first foray into Mackin’s work, but I wouldn’t mind checking out her other novels. I most certainly will keep her on my radar going forward.

[Kate Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a cover quote, and was transported! Jeanne Mackin paints a bold, sumptuous portrait of a great artist and the women who inspired, frustrated, loved, and loathed him. Aspiring journalist Alana, daunted by her impending wedding and fearful of landing on the wrong side of a McCarthy witch-hunt, buries herself in a new story about the loves and muses of the great Picasso—but the more she learns about his jealous wife, his artist mistress, his American hostess, and the mysterious Spanish maid who captured his eye and brush for one tantalizing summer before disappearing, the more Alana realizes that the true mystery waiting to be unraveled is her own. PICASSO'S LOVERS is an epic, sensuous delight.

[Kerrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picasso's Lovers started slowly for me. When it began focusing on the fictional character of Alana, I enjoyed it much more. Alana is in her late 20s in 1953. She is trying to make it as a writer in a male-dominated world. Her fiance wants her to quit writing when they marry and become his help-mate to advance his legal career. While he offers stability, his traditional values make her feel more like his staff than an equal partner. One of the freelance jobs Alana wants is to publish an article on Pablo Picasso for a prestigious art magazine. To develop a unique perspective on such a well-known man, Alana interviews a wealthy socialite who had been friends with Picasso in 1923. Alana finds herself attracted to another man who owns an inn where she is staying for the interview and begins to question her engagement.

While listening to the socialite, Alana learns of her possible connection to one of the women in Picasso's orbit in 1923. This leads to further investigation, including a trip to France to meet the artist in person. Along the way, the reader learns of many affairs and rivalries between women who were some of Picasso's lovers. Family secrets are exposed, friendships tested, and a whole lot of guilt spread around. There is also a side story about McCarthyism, freedom of expression, and civil rights.

Pablo Picasso was a well-known womanizer, philanderer, and adulterer. In her notes, Jeanne Macklin points out that he is an artist we love to hate or hate to love. He was emotionally cruel and insensitive to many of the women. While studying Picasso, Alana decides what qualities she wants in a man for a long and healthy relationship.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born in Spain Pablo Picasso spent most of his working adult life in France, it’s estimated he drew, painted and created over 20,000 piece of art, but what he was most famous for was his affairs with women, he was a cad and a notorious heart breaker.

American's Sara and Gerald Murphy like to entertain, are friends with talented artists and writers in Paris, including Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway and Dorothy Parker. They invite Pablo Picasso and his wife Olga to a party they hold on the Seine River and Sara feels drawn to the master and he wants her to model for him. The Murphy’s convince the owner of Hotel du Cap in the French Riviera to stay open for the summer, with their three children, they like to sun-bake, swim and the French weren't fans of the beach and they started a new trend.

The story has a dual timeline and it's set during 1923 and 1953 and is told from two main female characters Sara Murphy's and Alana Olsen's points of view and the connection they had to one of the Lost Generations artist’s Pablo Picasso.

Alana Olsen is an inspiring journalist, her mother Anna has recently passed away and her fiancée William is keen for them to set a date for their wedding. Alana isn’t sure she’s ready to get married, as she sits thinking in her mother’s New York apartment and decides she’s going to write an article about Pablo Picasso for the Art Today magazine.

Alana travels to New Jersey hoping to speak to Sara Murphy as she knew Pablo Picasso and she agrees to be interviewed. As Sara tells Alana about her life, the glamorous and tragic incidents that took place and Sara also discusses what happened between her and Picasso, and they uncover an unexpected connection to her mother Anna and no wonder she took Alana to view his paintings.

I received a copy of Picasso’s Lovers by Jeanne Mackin from Headline and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The author uses real events and people to write about Pablo Picasso and what occurs during the drama filled summer of 1923.

Alana discovers her mother has been keeping secrets from her, Anna had always been very vague about her life prior to courting and marrying her husband and did she meet the great man? A story about Alana not only finding out all she can about Pablo Picasso, it’s about her deciding what she wants to in her own life, she’s been like a ship without a rudder since the loss of her mum and she finds her own course.

I did know a little about Pablo Picasso prior to reading this book, I knew he'd been married several times and he was a womanizer. I was shocked to discover he had a long term relationship with Irene Lagut and I guess you would refer to her as his mistress. I can now understand why some people had a love or hate attitude towards the famous artist, Pablo Picasso was a complex and fascinating man, the perfect person to base a historical fiction novel around, it certainly kept my attention, I highly recommend and five stars from me.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit I have not read much about Pablo Picasso beyond admiring his art. It was a little disappointing to read this book and realize how cold and callous he could be. The story started a little slowly for me, but once it centered around the fictional character of Alana I was much more interested and I breezed through the story. Alana wants to be a reporter for an art publication and her trial piece is to write something different than everyone else about Pablo Picasso. She knows this is an impossible task but she is determined to get the career she’s dreamed of in the times when women weren’t encouraged careers. And Alana has a place to start, she found an article her mother had saved naming one of the lovers of Pablo and she lives a day trip away. Alana finds more than she could have dreamed and learns not only about Picasso but herself.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Picasso’s lovers, told from their point of view. As an art historian and writer, Alana Olson sets out to reconnect with her late mother’s memory through their mutual love of Pablo Picasso and his rich and complex history. As Alana interviews two formidable women who ran in his social circle, Sara Murphy and Irene Legut, Alana learns more about her own past, as well as her mother’s, than she ever expected to.

I found this to be such a unique story, having never read any historical fiction novels centered around famous painters. I thought Mackin did a phenomenal job of taking a lesser known figure, and pulling out the stories that make him more human, less ghost. Learning about Pablo Picasso’s philandering ways has only just begun to pique my interest, and I would have liked a little more focus on him and his background.

This story has a slower pace, and although I found the topic and overall story to be very interesting, I struggled a bit with the pacing of it. I was very engaged and curious about where the story was going throughout the first half, but felt less connected during the second half. All in all, however, I would still widely recommend this novel to all historical fiction lovers and those who are interested in major figures within the art world.

Read if you like:
•art history
•multiple povs/dual timeline
•slow burn stories
•complex MCs
•mystery components

Thank you Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for my gifted copies.

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picasso's Lovers by Jeanne Mackin is a captivating blend of art, passion, and intrigue that transports readers to a world where love and creativity collide in unexpected ways. Mackin's vivid prose and deep understanding of the complexities of relationships make this novel a must-read for anyone who appreciates a beautifully crafted.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Pub & PRH audio for my ARC/ALC

As someone who knows very little about Picasso's story, I very much looked forward to learning about his tangled web of women. Mackin's well-researched characterization captures who he seemingly was, and it was definitely informative. As with many historical fiction reads, there were layers to the plot, and the characters' stories were woven together in intriguing ways. I did find the plotline to be largely predictable (not that it promised to be full of shocking surprises), but overall a very solid read. I'd be curious to hear from reviewers who are more familiar with Picasso and have expertise in art history, but as a novice in both, I'd certainly recommend.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about “Picasso’s Lovers” by Jeanne Mackin, Author. In this well written Historical Fiction novel, the artists paints a vivid and story using colorful images and words of Picasso’s Art and the women that he loved. Set in the political background of the times, the author explores the women’s lives and how they were immortalized by Picasso’s paintbrush.

The emotions of the women and the strokes of the drawings and paintings explore Picasso’s personality. Alana is a journalist, who can relate to Picasso’s Art, and is assigned to profile him for a leading magazine. Alana’s deceased mother had paintings of Picassos in her home, and Alana is obsessed with him. Alana does interview some of the women that knew Picasso, and gets a stronger glimpse into his world. Alana has to fight the male dominated field of journalism to make her mark. Will Alana uncover certain secrets and truths about Picasso that will be significant?

I highly recommend this thought-provoking, memorable and unique Historical Fiction novel to others.

[Cindy(groundedinreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picasso’s name has often appeared in the historical fiction novels I read that are set in the 1920s, however, the focus is usually on the writers such as Fitzgerald and Hemingway. I enjoyed learning about what Picasso’s personal life may have looked like through the eyes of the women who loved him. I found this story fascinating as there was an underlying mystery that was uncovered while a journalist was working on a story regarding a lost work of art. Told in dual timelines, the journalist pieces together information obtained by her late mother and finds connections with Picasso’s past. I appreciate the author’s research into the time periods represented in this book through the settings, political climate and the elite privilege.

Thank you Berkeley Pub & PRH Audio for my advanced copies.

[Amy in the Desert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book up until the twist involving Alana, and then I lost interest. Alana wasn't the most interesting character, I'd rather spend time with the Picasso's lovers of the title than her. But it was still a good read.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picasso's Lovers combines two of my favorite things: art and historical fiction.

And because so many of the people and artwork mentioned is real, you should be ready for some serious Googling (I wanted to know what every painting mentioned in the book looked like).

It's a dual timeline book, following Sara in Paris and the French Riviera in 1923, who meets the famous artist (and famous womanizer). And Alana, an art journalist during McCarthy era America, interviewing Sara in hopes of her next big break.

I loved that so many of the people mentioned, from Sara to Irene Lagut, were real people. It made me feel like I'd taken a mini art history course. The setting along the French Riviera would make this a perfect book to add to your beach bag, or add a little bit of sunshine to your dreary winter days. Mackin makes such good comparisons, too, of how the men see women as a means to an end: something to pose for a painting, or someone to pose as a perfect spouse to further their own career.

I had a hard time understanding some the choices the characters made,especially around relationships. But as Mackin wrote so well in her author's note, we can only "learn from history...when historical attitudes are accurately represented." It's obvious from the title, though, that infidelity would play a major role, and maybe that should have clued me in that this was not the best book for me. I didn't expect the infidelity in the modern day storyline, though, or the seeming lack of regret Picasso's lovers had. Nor was I fan of the two accidental pregnancies.

Thank you Uplit Tours for my copy of the book!

[Eva Francova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pablo Picasso, nejen, že to byl velký umělec, ale k jeho životu patřily i ženy. Měl několik manželek a spousty milenek. V tomto románu se přeneseme na jih Francie a budeme sledovat „souboj“ milenek o to, která bude vyobrazena na Picassových dílech.

Picasso není zrovna můj oblíbený malíř a jeho dílo ani moc neznám, proto jsem se s chutí pustila do tohoto zbeletrizovaného životopisu, abych si k němu našla cestu. A jak se to podařilo?

Jak už to je u „béžovek“ zvykem, celou knihu jsem si dohledávala další informace o umělci, hlavně pak jeho obrazy. Vždy, když jsem o některém z nich četla, jsem ho potřebovala i vidět a propojila si ho tak s příběhem o tom, jak zrovna obraz vznikal (alespoň podle knížky). Díky příběhu jsem se tak dozvěděla spoustu nového, což mám na knihách ráda.

Ale jinak mi bohužel knížka nesedla. Dlouho jsem se nemohla začíst, vůbec mi nesedl autorčin styl a tím mě to prostě nepohltilo tak, jak by mělo. Když jsem se na konci knihy dozvěděla, co byla pravda a co si autorka přidala, trošku mě mrzelo, že větší důraz tam byl dán na tu smyšlenou linku.

Za mě tedy slabší knížka, ale i tak si ji ráda zařadím do mé sbírky „béžovek“.

[Jonathan (Jon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

𝘼 𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤’𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙩—𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝.

I don’t usually read historical fiction that often, it’s usually hit or miss for me. However, this book sounded so interesting, so I made sure to pick it up from NetGalley.

The story focuses on the love interests in Picasso’s life (whether you like him or not, his life was interesting). It’s told in dual timelines, which I really enjoyed. I also really loved Alana’s character in this.

It did start off a bit slow and took me a while to get into. I had to put the book down every so often when it dragged. However, the characters were woven together nicely and it was a solid historical fiction story.

It’s a well-written story and super unique filled with family secrets, friendships, and guilt. It was interesting reading about these women.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just WOW ❤️

I know little about art, and even less about artists, so I was completed fascinated with this view into Picasso, a blend of fact and fiction.

This is truly historical fiction at its best.

I was able to listen and read this one. The formats were both great, but the motion picture format would be even better. This would make such a great movie! I'll be waiting...

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well researched and delightful book. I don't know much about Picasso and I love love books about real people, but told and focused on the people AROUND them. This book intrigued me and even when I could see certain things coming, the way that it was told through different POVs and seeing their inner reflections and discovers kept me reading as quickly as I could. The writing is beautiful and I could not help comparing all of the Mccarthyism to so many current events. This book has given me the urge to go visit an art gallery, but also look into more female artists especially of the past who were overlooked and almost forgotten with time.

Also I listened to the audiobook and it was great, I recommend this format!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy to review!

[Adriana Ferrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads andJeanne Mackin for the Giveaway win. I loved it!

This book was written in two periods of time which worked well in telling the story of the many loves of Pablo Picasso, as seen through the women’s eyes. The author strived to have all the characters come across as real, flaws and all, each with their own unique way of dealing with Picasso, who was a difficult man to get involved with.
I enjoyed researching the works of art that are mentioned in the book, as well as the lifestyles and lavish parties of the artists of that time. But the best part for me was the setting: the beautiful beaches, the salt air, the smell of lavender and thyme. Excuse me while I pack my bags for Antibes!

[Erin Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly transported to the art scene of France in the 1920s and 50s. I didn't know much about Picasso (other than being a well-known womanizer) personally, so I was fascinated to learn more about Picasso and his art through the women around him. Perfect blend of fact and fiction.This is historical fiction at its finest.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it was not the plan, but I both love and hate Picasso a little more after reading this? Like, I am about to go glare at his work in art museum over emotions that these characters put me through.

I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.

[Emily Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25. Slow starter. Reminded me a lot of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I don’t think it’s coincidental.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really a nice surprise. The book mainly highlights the women in Picasso’s life in the 1920’s. It did not immortalize the artist, and also highlighted the artistic brillance of the women artists.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name]

Release: January 23, 2024

[Emily Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this book! By far my favorite I’ve read this year and sparked my curiosity for historical fiction!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books this year that have taken place in the 1950s and mentioned Picasso, even, specifically his painting, Guernica, so when this ARC became available I was curious to read it. Picasso had many lovers and he was not nice to them. I'm not totally sure why he married anyone. I mean he only had 2 wives, but why when you won't be faithful anyway? I'm assuming he was not a good father after reading this. Art was his life and if the women were always second to his art and discarded I can only assume he was that way with his kids. This book is about Alana in 1953. Her mother has died and she wants to find out who her mother was. She interviews some women who knew Picasso and finds out something happened in the summer of 1923. Had her mother actually known Picasso? She starts to realize her mother had many secrets before she was born. Alana is engaged to a guy who doesn't want her to work and her boss does not want a female working for him so some of this book is about Alana deciding her future and finding out her past. I did enjoy it and then of course I had to do a deep dive into Picasso on the internet.

-Pablo's women usually loved him more than he loved them.

-Sufficient to say, some artists think a touch of madness makes them more interesting, or at least gives them more license. It certainly gives them more publicity. Pablo knew he didn't need license. All he needed was his art.

-We cling to things tighter when we fear we are losing them.

-I think it is easy to believe we are happy in poverty when in fact we are happy merely because we are young and our cares do not overwhelm us.

-"I hate this time of day. When the light dies and you have to learn all over again, every day, that the universe is not kind or malicious, it is indifferent."

-Perhaps when a man like Picasso paints you, that is as close as he gets to love.

-"Sometimes we reveal more of ourselves when we are in costume. We are freer."

-Pablo Picasso belongs to his art, not his women.

-"Ah. That is a hard thing about secrets, that you don't know people have them till you begin to discover them, and suddenly you must question so much."

-Picasso seemed to use up and then discard women the way other men replace automobiles, always on the lookout for the newest model.

-If he can't paint it or sculpt it, it does not exist for him.

[enjoyingbooksagain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn’t know to much about Pablo Picasso other then his work as a artist. But this books blurb pulled me in along with the name Picasso.
I like reading about famous people and how they live their life’s behind closed doors and Picasso had a interesting one. Seems like to Picasso women were used as muses that he used for his art he would draw inspiration from them, paint them then have sex with them all while being married seems like that was the norm in his life. But back in the day it was a different era and different time I guess. There is so much information in this book the author did a great job you can tell researching and learning about his life.
If you are a fan of Picasso or like me just like reading about famous people life’s and what makes them tick so to speak read this he was quite the womanizer, and so much more wouldn’t it be nice to have a piece of his art work 😊. Thank you netgalley

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pros:: This was an interesting historical fiction book! It's a fabulous way to tell how Pablo Picasso treated his love of art (passionately) and his love of women (lots of passion!). In a dual timeline of 1923 in France and then 1953 in New York City. The main thread of the 1923 storyline was with the Murphy's -- Gerald (a wealthy American artist) and his wife, Sara, raising their three children in France and having Pablo Picasso as a friend. Learned about Picasso's wife Olga, and son Pablo, his lover, Irene Lagut (artist and muse for "The Lovers" painting) and, Anna, a fictional maid that takes care of the Murphy and Picasso clan while they summered in southern France. The majority of the plot revolves around 1953's Alana Olsen, an art journalist trying to write a magazine article about Pablo Picasso. Alana is also learning about the history of her mother, Marti, or, her real name, Ana Martina. Some of the themes of 1953 include Communism scare in the USA, discrimination, dictatorship, the challenge (putting it mildly ) of a woman working. To even things out, there are several romances -- the main one being with Alana having to choose between two men, William Greene (the safe choice who is a lawyer) or Jack Brennan (the inn owner and WWII vet). A couple of great sentences include "But there is another form of violence. William's. That insistence that I was here to smooth his path, to be his helpmate that my own dreams and ambitions needed to be secondary to his. That I was secondary." 53%

Will definitely be inclined to pick up another of Jeanne Mackin's books.

Cons:: Not much. When the characters from 1923 recognized Alana in 1953 without too much trouble, it was too easy. Would have liked Alana to have to reintroduce herself and tell the folks (especially the ones like Lorraine (the cook) who worked in hospitality and saw a lot of people over the last 30 years) to remember Alana. It made sense that Alana looked liked Ana, but 30 years and a major war is a lot of time to forget a maid (Anna) that worked in hotel for a couple of months.

Cover art :: 4 out of 5 Great use of scenery and models. Too bad the female is once again showing the reader her back.

[Shannon Pifher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved hearing about Picasso’s life. The promise of this book was to immerse myself into the lives of the women of Pablo Picasso, his Lovers.

But did the book do this… not really. The main character is completely fictional. It is the 1950’s and Alana is engaged to William. William is very excited to marry Alana so she can be his stay at home wife. Except Alana doesnt want to do that. She wants to write articles for an art magazine. The magazine gives her an impossible task: write a story about Picasso, and be sure to interview him.

Alana starts with traveling to another town not so far away where one of Pablo’s known lovers lives. She stays in a little Inn in the town and a series of events allows her to interviews Sarah. Sarah paints a beautiful scene of the summer she spent with her husband, Picasso, Picasso’s wife and children at the time, a few other characters, and Alana’s mother. Alana falls in love with the owner of the Inn after just one night. He is everything her William is not and she just knows that he is the one for her (vomit). I honestly felt so bad for William. Every time Alana talked I rolled my eyes. Everything she said and did was a cliche and HORRIBLY written. I only enjoyed the chapters of immersion with Picasso.

I wish this had been told from several of his lovers points of view. All of the Lovers mentioned, except Alana’s mother, were really his lovers! Why did the author have to add and base the book off of a fictional character who is not likable in the slightest?

[Stephanie ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for the free copy of the book!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary audio!

This book will be published on January 23rd.

I am unsure how to rate or write about this book. Prior to this book, I had very limited knowledge about Picasso's personal life and as I started reading, I began googling and looking up the different art he drew based off his lovers.

This had a mix of historical figures but with a fictional twist. Honestly I was much more interested in Alana's storyline especially in the second half of the book. I wish we could have explode more of his relationships with the women instead of just focusing on primarily one and there was another that kind of played a role but only in the beginning and the end.

The writing itself was very beautiful and I could feel like I was in there with them in Europe. And I think the author did a great job with research and turning Picasso's fascinating life into this fictional work.

I paired this book with the audio and I think that is what helped propelled me to keep going with the book. There were three different narrators used and I thought they all did a wonderful job for the point of views of Irene, Alana & Sara.

Also can we get some commotion for the cover?! I am absolutely obsessed with it and I want to know more about it!

Check this book out if you enjoy art, European culture in the early 1900s definitely give this one a read!

Memorable quotes for me:
"After all these years, my pulse continues to race when I look at him. No other man has affected me like this, and I want his pulse to race, too. I want more than the artist's gaze: I want longing."

"Children are so vulnerable. When our sons had died, we thought we would never be able to carry more grief, and there it was, not grief but the fear of it. What if...?"

"Sometimes we reveal more of ourselves when we are in costume. We are freer."

"Pablo Picasso belongs to his art, not his women."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picasso's Lovers by Jeanne Mackin is an entertaining dual timeline historical fiction that kept my interest from beginning to end.

This historical fiction has it all: history, passion, mystery, suspense, emotion, passion…all tied in together between the 1950s and 1920s and bridges together people and events across two different times and continents.

I always like a novel where I learn something while being entertained…and this fit that bill. I also enjoy a good HF that can incorporate true historical figures with fiction.

This was a creative and interesting narrative that brought together several figures, including Pablo Picasso, and shines a light on some of the women that surrounded him and helps explain and untangle some of the mysteries shrouding this complex artist (for better and for worse).

The author’s ability to compare and contrast not only the two time periods, but also the social changes and standards during these respective times definitely gives the reader something additional to think about.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Berkley Publishing Group for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/23/24.