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The Art of Peeling an Orange
Rainbow Awards FinalistWhen Carly Rosen is jilted on the eve of her wedding, she embarks on a startling journey of self-discovery. This gender-bending risqué retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, set in sizzling West Hollywood, echoes the ancient story of the lovers in the Underworld. What do you do when the love of your life has eloped with another woman on the eve of your wedding? The other woman is a famous beauty named Anna Garibaldi, and their love story is splashed all over the tabloids, making you die inside. To add insult to injury, the one who has abandoned you dies unexpectedly, having left you a cryptic text message suggesting that you were always the one and only. Where do you go from here for solace, for justice? If you are Carly Rosen, a portrait artist with huge imagination, you use your art to charm your way into the life and inner circle of the alluring Anna Garibaldi, whose seductive and secretive underworld is nothing you could have expected. You say goodbye to life as you know it and take a breathless ride down to the depths of the Land of the Dead, to where passions and dangers await you and nothing is as it seems. Don't forget a coin for the ferryman. Bon Voyage!
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2015
187 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Avilan
7 books28 followersAward winning author Victoria Avilan was born in Israel, where she learned art from her mother, and cared for sick NICU babies as a military nurse. She studied creative writing at UCLA with Australian author Claire McNab. She lives in Southern California with her wife and their Cocker Spaniels.
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facebook page:Victoria Avilan
Please do not use "Victoria Avilan Author." I don't have access to that facebook account.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 27, 2018
This a good book, well-written and more literature than lesfic.
This is also a nightmare.
I read it in one-go tonight, unable to put it down. It was a really fast read, the story is beautiful and dark and sad and annoying. Grief, madness, art and egomania leaks at each chapter.
It reminded me of Invitation to a Beheading by Nabokov : The story enfolds in a dreamlike, phantasmagorical way, with darkness and beauty intertwined.
It's addictive, frightening, and left me with the taste of ashed in my mouth.
I didn't enjoy it but I'm not sure I will ever forget it.
This is also a nightmare.
I read it in one-go tonight, unable to put it down. It was a really fast read, the story is beautiful and dark and sad and annoying. Grief, madness, art and egomania leaks at each chapter.
It reminded me of Invitation to a Beheading by Nabokov : The story enfolds in a dreamlike, phantasmagorical way, with darkness and beauty intertwined.
It's addictive, frightening, and left me with the taste of ashed in my mouth.
I didn't enjoy it but I'm not sure I will ever forget it.
Read
July 24, 2019I think I must have got this free from somewhere because I couldn't remember ever buying it - probably making me a totally non-ideal audience for the book.
This might be a 'it's not you, it's me' type situation but there was a lot here that just ... sorta troubled me in a nebulous ways. But I felt largely out of lane on all of it because the heroine is a queer Jewish woman. And I'm, um, very much not.
What I did like was the thriller-ish set up (the heroine's fiance leaves her to have an affair with a fabulous artist, and is mysteriously killed in a car crash), the unfolding mysteries surrounding the characters, and the very gothic flavour of the narrative. There's art and fires and obsessions and steep staircases cut into cliffs. Y'know. All that exciting stuff. It genuinely kept me reading, and even though I was aware it was evoking the themes of Greek myths, it also left me troubled.
It's things like the fabulous artist, Anna Garibaldi, turns out to be losing her sight, although her other senses have sharpened to compensate which is why she's able to conceal the fact she's mostly blind from the world. Um. I'm pretty sure that's not a thing? I mean, outside of Daredevil. And--not my lane--my understanding is that people with disabilities aren't massively keen on it as a trope.
Also is okay for a white character to call a black character Lady Godiva? Is that not a bit, maybe, fetishy? Also this character, Juliet, as well as being a lisping kleptomaniac obsessed with Anna, is repeatedly described via reference to chocolate (chocolate skin etc) and one point ... even sort of squeezes chocolate on herself to seduce her lover. Again, this is not my lane, but I understand POCs are not super keen on being described in terms of foodstuffs. I mean, I wouldn't be super keen on it myself. And, in general, I think presenting someone as something to be consumed (“I want to dip all of you in chocolate and eat you") is ...a bit dehumanising. Even when there aren't a bunch of complex intersectionalities in play.
Also, there's a fat butch lesbian who is the subject of hilarity and/or disgust, and is rarely referenced in text without a dig at her fatness or her butchness or her fat butchness. Which is the sort of thing that can come across as mean-spirited in most circumstances (at least to me) but seems extra troubling when it's a hostile view of an already heavily stereotyped element within the marginalised community you're writing about and/or belong to. Crapping on the existence of fat butch leatherdykes in book about queer women feels sort of as self-destructive as a crapping on the existence of femme-identifying people in a book about queer men. And, once again, I am so out of my lane I'm about to get pulled over.
Minor personal wibbles: I am not super drawn to ART MAN ART narratives, and this one is taking itself very seriously art-wise. Also, the first time Anna has sex with the heroine she, um, she fists her? And, to be fair, there is consent for this. And maybe it's just because I have a really massive hands or something, but fisting does not seem like a "hey, we barely know each other" sexual activity to me. Or I could just have missed a memo. Maybe I'm sending my lovers off really disappointed, being like "wow, we had sex that one time and he didn't even try to fist me, how rude."
Anyway. There was definitely lots to intrigue me here. But there was also way too much that made me uncomfortable. Your mileage may vary.
This might be a 'it's not you, it's me' type situation but there was a lot here that just ... sorta troubled me in a nebulous ways. But I felt largely out of lane on all of it because the heroine is a queer Jewish woman. And I'm, um, very much not.
What I did like was the thriller-ish set up (the heroine's fiance leaves her to have an affair with a fabulous artist, and is mysteriously killed in a car crash), the unfolding mysteries surrounding the characters, and the very gothic flavour of the narrative. There's art and fires and obsessions and steep staircases cut into cliffs. Y'know. All that exciting stuff. It genuinely kept me reading, and even though I was aware it was evoking the themes of Greek myths, it also left me troubled.
It's things like the fabulous artist, Anna Garibaldi, turns out to be losing her sight, although her other senses have sharpened to compensate which is why she's able to conceal the fact she's mostly blind from the world. Um. I'm pretty sure that's not a thing? I mean, outside of Daredevil. And--not my lane--my understanding is that people with disabilities aren't massively keen on it as a trope.
Also is okay for a white character to call a black character Lady Godiva? Is that not a bit, maybe, fetishy? Also this character, Juliet, as well as being a lisping kleptomaniac obsessed with Anna, is repeatedly described via reference to chocolate (chocolate skin etc) and one point ... even sort of squeezes chocolate on herself to seduce her lover. Again, this is not my lane, but I understand POCs are not super keen on being described in terms of foodstuffs. I mean, I wouldn't be super keen on it myself. And, in general, I think presenting someone as something to be consumed (“I want to dip all of you in chocolate and eat you") is ...a bit dehumanising. Even when there aren't a bunch of complex intersectionalities in play.
Also, there's a fat butch lesbian who is the subject of hilarity and/or disgust, and is rarely referenced in text without a dig at her fatness or her butchness or her fat butchness. Which is the sort of thing that can come across as mean-spirited in most circumstances (at least to me) but seems extra troubling when it's a hostile view of an already heavily stereotyped element within the marginalised community you're writing about and/or belong to. Crapping on the existence of fat butch leatherdykes in book about queer women feels sort of as self-destructive as a crapping on the existence of femme-identifying people in a book about queer men. And, once again, I am so out of my lane I'm about to get pulled over.
Minor personal wibbles: I am not super drawn to ART MAN ART narratives, and this one is taking itself very seriously art-wise. Also, the first time Anna has sex with the heroine she, um, she fists her? And, to be fair, there is consent for this. And maybe it's just because I have a really massive hands or something, but fisting does not seem like a "hey, we barely know each other" sexual activity to me. Or I could just have missed a memo. Maybe I'm sending my lovers off really disappointed, being like "wow, we had sex that one time and he didn't even try to fist me, how rude."
Anyway. There was definitely lots to intrigue me here. But there was also way too much that made me uncomfortable. Your mileage may vary.
June 18, 2017
Spellbinding, magical and simply breathtaking!
If there is one book I would recommend you jump into without reading the blurb, this would be it.
The Art of Peeling an Orange came as a complete surprise and knocked me off my feet. I have to admit, I only picked up this novel because it was free on kindle unlimited, and the title gave way to curiosity.
The tale was woven with attention to detail; each thread complementing the other with a flair of perfection.
There were moments of magical surrealism, awesome dialogues, spellbinding erotica, and mind-blowing chemistry.
You fall in love with Anna Garibaldi too, although you know you shouldn't and you have no reason to. But, you find yourself waiting for her to appear, to grace the pages of your kindle with her presence, and when she does, you know the wait was worth it.
This book will open your eyes to whole new kind of storytelling. One where you cannot escape the narration even if you want to.
So, my advice : Surrender and become Anna Garibaldi's prisoner.
If there is one book I would recommend you jump into without reading the blurb, this would be it.
The Art of Peeling an Orange came as a complete surprise and knocked me off my feet. I have to admit, I only picked up this novel because it was free on kindle unlimited, and the title gave way to curiosity.
The tale was woven with attention to detail; each thread complementing the other with a flair of perfection.
There were moments of magical surrealism, awesome dialogues, spellbinding erotica, and mind-blowing chemistry.
You fall in love with Anna Garibaldi too, although you know you shouldn't and you have no reason to. But, you find yourself waiting for her to appear, to grace the pages of your kindle with her presence, and when she does, you know the wait was worth it.
This book will open your eyes to whole new kind of storytelling. One where you cannot escape the narration even if you want to.
So, my advice : Surrender and become Anna Garibaldi's prisoner.
February 5, 2017
I took a while to finish this book. Mainly because I was reading it incorrectly at first. I was reading it in a too cerebral and logical way and if you do that with this book, you see inconsistencies, repetition and unrealistic writing. This book circles around art and that should have warned me that I should read this book with my heart and spirit not my brain. Does that make sense? The creativity, passion and lust in this book is amazing and I think readers should enjoy that instead of thinking too much while reading. There is a lot lurking behind the words, lots of cultural references and lots of emotion. I enjoyed that and it made me get back to my own writing with increased creativity and for that I give it four stars.
April 26, 2015
A new love for Orange Where Not All is at it Seems
This book was incredible! I was hooked from the start and did not put it down till I was finished, I simply could not! After a night dreaming of these women, this story, I then read it again. This book ran the gamut of emotions and senses. The story's sustenance was hypnotic, addicting, breathtaking, mysterious, sensual and so full of nuances, apprehension and twists that you never saw coming. Even with the sweet release the drama ceased to end. By books end I was well and truly spent. This is one of those books that when you finish and surface to face the real world you can not believe it has not changed. Surely the world can not be the same after such an experience.
Thank you so very much for this wonderful encounter.
This book was incredible! I was hooked from the start and did not put it down till I was finished, I simply could not! After a night dreaming of these women, this story, I then read it again. This book ran the gamut of emotions and senses. The story's sustenance was hypnotic, addicting, breathtaking, mysterious, sensual and so full of nuances, apprehension and twists that you never saw coming. Even with the sweet release the drama ceased to end. By books end I was well and truly spent. This is one of those books that when you finish and surface to face the real world you can not believe it has not changed. Surely the world can not be the same after such an experience.
Thank you so very much for this wonderful encounter.
September 11, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up! This is not your usual romance. I hazard to say more of a drama with a constantly unfolding story. Luckily, I went into the story only knowing the most cursory of things about the plot, which really enhanced the read for me. Thank you to a GR poster letting me know this was free a little while ago on Amazon or I likely never would have picked it up. I'm glad I took the chance on it. I will say it's quite unrealistic. But I tend to expect that when reading about celebrities. It's also unrealistic in ways I would not have anticipated. In a good way.
May 7, 2015
High-Camp Literary Mashup Is A Page-Turner Super-Deluxe Suite on the Top Floor of a 5-Star Hotel!!!
If you want the lure of obsession fueled by the madness of lust right before it collides with the creativity of a wild woman and the finesse of a Courtly scribe, Victoria Avilan’s your girl and The Art of Peeling An Orange is your Book of the Year!
In this anything-but-staid re-imagining of the mythic trope of those lusty would-be Greek lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, The Art of Peeling An Orange by debut author Victoria Avilan is true to the spirit of the Greek drama—except it’s West Hollywood, and it’s two, maybe four, hot lesbians!
It’s the higher (rather than merely high) drama befitting lesbian caricature mixed with a laser-precision counterpoint rendering of real lesbian sensitivities, intelligence and charms. It’s a ton of great lines, wonderful writing and a tense, taut and trail-blazing page-turner of genre-busting amusement and, at times, hilarity of insight and circumstance.
It doesn’t matter whether you like your vodka straight up, or not at all: You’ll be soused ‘by association’ on something you’ve never heard of by the end of Chapter 5. If this copious amount of alcoholic concoction is the modern nectar of the Gods, then West Hollywood is the local distillery!
The Art of Peeling an Orange (TAOPAN) has an amazing, erotically charged and frankly exhausting amount of pretty frank sex. If you prefer that your sex scenes allude to the metaphorical equivalent of saying a slow rosary in the presence of a few dozen chaste but pretty ‘sisters of charity’ in a stained-glass-windowed room with the scent of incense hovering over your penance, then back away from your Ereader. Now! TAOPAN is nothing if not full of irony posing in drag as a kind of erotica but you could miss the subtle ironies for the up-front erotica!
Avilan is a masterful storyteller, and this debut novel reveals a
complete grasp of adventurous fiction writing. Avilan knows how to hook the reader with brilliant pacing, wonderful dialog, an oh-my-God-moment at the end of every chapter, a combination of literary and pedestrian hooks that keeps one swiping screens or turning pages in a marathon of forward movement to find out what happens and why. Six different times I thought the end of the book was near, but Avilan was just getting warmed up. Two dozen times, I said “You’ve got to be kidding!” and then I realized the author was, and a dozen times or more, I said, “I can’t believe she’s got me hooked!”
Woven throughout the deliberately, if somewhat incredible, multi-dimensional characteristics of Avila’s lesbians—lesbians we’ve all met (or been—briefly, of course!) is the avoidance of mere caricatura as Avilan deftly infuses her main characters with equal parts parody and purpose. She has created a delicate balance of real and surreal but never unreal. Sure, much of their existence is over-the-top, but, honestly? That’s what we like about them! In this regard, she pays much tribute to the antecedent referent of Greek mythology as fiction’s proverbial drama queen. If lesbians (and all mankind) be ludicrous, and willful, then may they at least be gorgeous, talented and rich!
Despite and perhaps because of the messes they make, Avilan’s characters still have some indefinable allure, some palpable vulnerability and near holiness. We cannot avert our eyes from a beautiful mess. We’ve all been there. When they call out, we turn and look back even as we stride forward in the glow of chic certainty and au courant confidence. “I’ve got this,” too soon becomes a lament, of sorts, that most resembles “Oh, shit!”
We are so very cool; we haughtily turn around and look back, despite being warned against doing so. We are sure that we have positively got her or absolutely quit her or —or whatever our goal was that sent us storming into Hell in search of the one we want or the one who got away or the one we’re running from, or to. Avilan seems to sense that the difference between “I’m leaving you” and “I’m going to have you,” is a universal cocktail of emotions, thoughts,strengths and weaknesses that offers one of two variations: ‘Straight up or on the rocks.’ Choose your poison wisely as you contemplate if it was the calling out or the turning back around that was one’s undoing.
Beyond that, everything is pretty much everything else. But is it? Avilan toys with our concepts of human sameness while entertaining a
flirtation with originality, difference and personal brilliance; in the
end…well,you’d have to be there, so just read it!
In another bow to the Greeks, or to the many and varied interpretations of the myths, Avilan has wisely chosen to write an “alternative ending,” available on her website. In doing so, this author reveals her hyper-vigilant awareness of and skill with the HEA, while maintaining the integrity of the Greek tragedy trope. I think she had a
ton of fun with this book!
Avilan is quite clear on the theme of love: It makes no damn sense and sex is what we think we want for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. And yet, she suggests, something bigger and stronger bonds lesbian love, and it might be vision. We are different; we see things differently.How we approach our vision is important.
We are visionaries for one another, for better and for worse. We are visionaries whether the person wants it or not, sees it or not, can live up to it or not. We are visionaries when love lends a hand to someone the world has forgot or thrown away or doesn’t have time for. We are visionaries who see beyond the hype of someone’s self-delusion or the star-power accorded them by virtue of their ability to engender a sense of mystery about themselves. And we see the reality of ‘mystery’ as little more than self-delusion gone public, to varying degrees of social acceptance within and without the lesbian subculture. In TAOPAO, lesbians are the wonder women of the worldwide web of wonder. Headquarters: West Hollywood—but also the world.
Lesbianism, she suggests, is an art, and a skill, and a series of close encounters, fatal attractions and gone girls. They come complete with close-your-eyes errors and (mostly) self-generated humor and horrors, as well as wide-eyed amazement and accomplishments achieved (mostly) through a maze of a mysterious and special sisterhood support, replete with sibling rivalry! It is at times both the underworld and the overworld, but it is surely another world. And Avilan might be right! After all, Orpheus did end up on the Isle of Lesbos, albeit in several disparate pieces!
Still, the themes of love and trust, the power of music, literature and art, the variable nature of happiness and even death are universal, and we see this in the ordinary and extraordinary landscape of lives lived rich in detail and yet bereft of direction—until seen through love’s eyes. That vision thing again.
Certainly, the author has almost reached the level of writer as
wonder woman. To be honest, Full-on, five-tilt boogie 5 stars because we should encourage this writer to keep writing. Avilan has abundant talent, an expressive imagination and has produced a published work free from all errors. I look forward to her next book. Brava Ms. Avilan!
If you want the lure of obsession fueled by the madness of lust right before it collides with the creativity of a wild woman and the finesse of a Courtly scribe, Victoria Avilan’s your girl and The Art of Peeling An Orange is your Book of the Year!
In this anything-but-staid re-imagining of the mythic trope of those lusty would-be Greek lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, The Art of Peeling An Orange by debut author Victoria Avilan is true to the spirit of the Greek drama—except it’s West Hollywood, and it’s two, maybe four, hot lesbians!
It’s the higher (rather than merely high) drama befitting lesbian caricature mixed with a laser-precision counterpoint rendering of real lesbian sensitivities, intelligence and charms. It’s a ton of great lines, wonderful writing and a tense, taut and trail-blazing page-turner of genre-busting amusement and, at times, hilarity of insight and circumstance.
It doesn’t matter whether you like your vodka straight up, or not at all: You’ll be soused ‘by association’ on something you’ve never heard of by the end of Chapter 5. If this copious amount of alcoholic concoction is the modern nectar of the Gods, then West Hollywood is the local distillery!
The Art of Peeling an Orange (TAOPAN) has an amazing, erotically charged and frankly exhausting amount of pretty frank sex. If you prefer that your sex scenes allude to the metaphorical equivalent of saying a slow rosary in the presence of a few dozen chaste but pretty ‘sisters of charity’ in a stained-glass-windowed room with the scent of incense hovering over your penance, then back away from your Ereader. Now! TAOPAN is nothing if not full of irony posing in drag as a kind of erotica but you could miss the subtle ironies for the up-front erotica!
Avilan is a masterful storyteller, and this debut novel reveals a
complete grasp of adventurous fiction writing. Avilan knows how to hook the reader with brilliant pacing, wonderful dialog, an oh-my-God-moment at the end of every chapter, a combination of literary and pedestrian hooks that keeps one swiping screens or turning pages in a marathon of forward movement to find out what happens and why. Six different times I thought the end of the book was near, but Avilan was just getting warmed up. Two dozen times, I said “You’ve got to be kidding!” and then I realized the author was, and a dozen times or more, I said, “I can’t believe she’s got me hooked!”
Woven throughout the deliberately, if somewhat incredible, multi-dimensional characteristics of Avila’s lesbians—lesbians we’ve all met (or been—briefly, of course!) is the avoidance of mere caricatura as Avilan deftly infuses her main characters with equal parts parody and purpose. She has created a delicate balance of real and surreal but never unreal. Sure, much of their existence is over-the-top, but, honestly? That’s what we like about them! In this regard, she pays much tribute to the antecedent referent of Greek mythology as fiction’s proverbial drama queen. If lesbians (and all mankind) be ludicrous, and willful, then may they at least be gorgeous, talented and rich!
Despite and perhaps because of the messes they make, Avilan’s characters still have some indefinable allure, some palpable vulnerability and near holiness. We cannot avert our eyes from a beautiful mess. We’ve all been there. When they call out, we turn and look back even as we stride forward in the glow of chic certainty and au courant confidence. “I’ve got this,” too soon becomes a lament, of sorts, that most resembles “Oh, shit!”
We are so very cool; we haughtily turn around and look back, despite being warned against doing so. We are sure that we have positively got her or absolutely quit her or —or whatever our goal was that sent us storming into Hell in search of the one we want or the one who got away or the one we’re running from, or to. Avilan seems to sense that the difference between “I’m leaving you” and “I’m going to have you,” is a universal cocktail of emotions, thoughts,strengths and weaknesses that offers one of two variations: ‘Straight up or on the rocks.’ Choose your poison wisely as you contemplate if it was the calling out or the turning back around that was one’s undoing.
Beyond that, everything is pretty much everything else. But is it? Avilan toys with our concepts of human sameness while entertaining a
flirtation with originality, difference and personal brilliance; in the
end…well,you’d have to be there, so just read it!
In another bow to the Greeks, or to the many and varied interpretations of the myths, Avilan has wisely chosen to write an “alternative ending,” available on her website. In doing so, this author reveals her hyper-vigilant awareness of and skill with the HEA, while maintaining the integrity of the Greek tragedy trope. I think she had a
ton of fun with this book!
Avilan is quite clear on the theme of love: It makes no damn sense and sex is what we think we want for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. And yet, she suggests, something bigger and stronger bonds lesbian love, and it might be vision. We are different; we see things differently.How we approach our vision is important.
We are visionaries for one another, for better and for worse. We are visionaries whether the person wants it or not, sees it or not, can live up to it or not. We are visionaries when love lends a hand to someone the world has forgot or thrown away or doesn’t have time for. We are visionaries who see beyond the hype of someone’s self-delusion or the star-power accorded them by virtue of their ability to engender a sense of mystery about themselves. And we see the reality of ‘mystery’ as little more than self-delusion gone public, to varying degrees of social acceptance within and without the lesbian subculture. In TAOPAO, lesbians are the wonder women of the worldwide web of wonder. Headquarters: West Hollywood—but also the world.
Lesbianism, she suggests, is an art, and a skill, and a series of close encounters, fatal attractions and gone girls. They come complete with close-your-eyes errors and (mostly) self-generated humor and horrors, as well as wide-eyed amazement and accomplishments achieved (mostly) through a maze of a mysterious and special sisterhood support, replete with sibling rivalry! It is at times both the underworld and the overworld, but it is surely another world. And Avilan might be right! After all, Orpheus did end up on the Isle of Lesbos, albeit in several disparate pieces!
Still, the themes of love and trust, the power of music, literature and art, the variable nature of happiness and even death are universal, and we see this in the ordinary and extraordinary landscape of lives lived rich in detail and yet bereft of direction—until seen through love’s eyes. That vision thing again.
Certainly, the author has almost reached the level of writer as
wonder woman. To be honest, Full-on, five-tilt boogie 5 stars because we should encourage this writer to keep writing. Avilan has abundant talent, an expressive imagination and has produced a published work free from all errors. I look forward to her next book. Brava Ms. Avilan!
March 7, 2019
The Art of Peeling an Orange... (what is it with Oranges in the title, anyway?), couldn't bring myself to finish this one, because quite frankly the characters behave like a bunch of high schoolers I wouldn't want to spend an hour with IRL and I did spend way more time with this book, always hoping the story would pick up and go anywhere, which it doesn't it just meanders along, wallowing in self pity.
July 10, 2018
This is one of the most mindbendingly wondrous books I've read in a long time. I'm not quite sure how to describe it though. While the blurb mentions it being "a gender-bending, risqué take on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice", I must confess that on a first read (there will soon be a second and many more), I didn't see too much evidence of gender-bending. While there were plenty of references to Greek mythology, they are explained within the text in a subtle manner. (I've studied Classics and it didn't come across as patronising/over-simplified.) Ugh, I'm rambling again.
As swiftly as Carly's emotions are thrown into turmoil, so the reader is drawn into the swirling vortex of her life and it's intersection with Anna Garibaldi, La Divina. Anna is a famous novelist, poet, dancer, actor director but most importantly of all, she's the woman Carly's fiancée Greg, ran away with the night before they were supposed to get married. Carly goes to confront the woman she blames for ruining her life after Greg dies in a car crash while driving to Carly's after sending her a cryptic text. Once she arrives at Anna's, however, she begins to realise that nothing is as it seems.
I really don't think I've done this book justice in this review but I would really recommend it to anyone. It truly is a joy to read.
As swiftly as Carly's emotions are thrown into turmoil, so the reader is drawn into the swirling vortex of her life and it's intersection with Anna Garibaldi, La Divina. Anna is a famous novelist, poet, dancer, actor director but most importantly of all, she's the woman Carly's fiancée Greg, ran away with the night before they were supposed to get married. Carly goes to confront the woman she blames for ruining her life after Greg dies in a car crash while driving to Carly's after sending her a cryptic text. Once she arrives at Anna's, however, she begins to realise that nothing is as it seems.
I really don't think I've done this book justice in this review but I would really recommend it to anyone. It truly is a joy to read.
May 7, 2019
Tremendous story. I highly recommend reading this first and then the alternate ending. That way you get what you want either way.
May 23, 2018
When I read Avilian's second novel, A Small Country About to Vanish, I liked it so much that I procrastinated reading her first even though I already had a copy. Unfortunately it was not worth the wait.
The Premise
Carly Rosen lost her fiance when he left her for the celebrity and genius Anna Garibaldi. Now he's dead, and Carly wants revenge on Anna, or possibly just to get some of him back. But when she confronts Anna over their relationship, she falls for Anna herself, and then discovers that there are many things Anna is hiding.
Things That Were Good
-The initial premise was interesting. Carly's obsession with Anna after her fiance's death was compellingly dark, and I was on the edge of my seat for their confrontation.
-There's a lot of good prose.
-Jewish MC, though her ethnicity is not as major as that of the protagonist of A Small Country About to Vanish.
-Various secrets, twists and turns I could not have guessed on my own.
Things That Were Bad
-Most mild, the imagery can get overwhelming and overblown. So much artsiness and idolization of Anna that I could gag. But more importantly...
-Elements of ableism.
-Instalove--to be fair, Carly was obsessed with Anna before meeting her, but literally, they have sex the day they meet and from then on they're supposed to be in deep love with each other.
-Elements of racism: The one black character (that I can remember, anyway) is a kleptomaniac obsessed with Anna, and a major character in a romantic relationship with her nicknames her Lady Godiva and keeps on making chocolate remarks. Also a minor exoticized Asian character.
-WTF ending
Overall
Damn it. I really wanted to like this one.
Still would probably read Avilian's next book (if/when it comes out) because judging by her second novel she's improved now but I don't think I can recommend this.
The Premise
Carly Rosen lost her fiance when he left her for the celebrity and genius Anna Garibaldi. Now he's dead, and Carly wants revenge on Anna, or possibly just to get some of him back. But when she confronts Anna over their relationship, she falls for Anna herself, and then discovers that there are many things Anna is hiding.
Things That Were Good
-The initial premise was interesting. Carly's obsession with Anna after her fiance's death was compellingly dark, and I was on the edge of my seat for their confrontation.
-There's a lot of good prose.
-Jewish MC, though her ethnicity is not as major as that of the protagonist of A Small Country About to Vanish.
-Various secrets, twists and turns I could not have guessed on my own.
Things That Were Bad
-Most mild, the imagery can get overwhelming and overblown. So much artsiness and idolization of Anna that I could gag. But more importantly...
-Elements of ableism.
-Instalove--to be fair, Carly was obsessed with Anna before meeting her, but literally, they have sex the day they meet and from then on they're supposed to be in deep love with each other.
-Elements of racism: The one black character (that I can remember, anyway) is a kleptomaniac obsessed with Anna, and a major character in a romantic relationship with her nicknames her Lady Godiva and keeps on making chocolate remarks. Also a minor exoticized Asian character.
-WTF ending
Overall
Damn it. I really wanted to like this one.
Still would probably read Avilian's next book (if/when it comes out) because judging by her second novel she's improved now but I don't think I can recommend this.
September 10, 2017
Touching and mysterious
This book is a real page turner. It's mysteries keep you wondering until the very end. Makes you question the reality behind a facade. Would definitely recommend.
This book is a real page turner. It's mysteries keep you wondering until the very end. Makes you question the reality behind a facade. Would definitely recommend.
March 1, 2015
Exciting!
Ms. Avilan takes you on a tortuous road with deep peaks and valleys. So many "I didn't see that coming"! Excellent first work!
Ms. Avilan takes you on a tortuous road with deep peaks and valleys. So many "I didn't see that coming"! Excellent first work!
August 9, 2017
The art of overwriting.
March 31, 2016
Got this for free ($0) through the Amazon monthly offer, and I have to say: it was worth every cent. I am seriously glad I didn't have to pay for this. Aside from the overwrought writing, melodramatic plotting and cheesy characters, the book was full of unfortunate typos ("dosing," instead of "dozing"), which just added to the misery. I mean, come on. It's 2015: can we please finally dispense with the fat-butch-lesbian-in-bar stereotype? I trudged all the way through this--I have insomnia and I thought it might work better than Advil pm--but alas, no rest for the discriminating reader. I have no clue what book those other reviews are referring to...
June 25, 2017
What I liked best in this book were the descriptions of color and form, which truly are spectacular! I'm not an artist but this story gave me an insight into what it's like to be one.
Other than that, the author was obviously madly in love with one of her main characters, because there were endless descriptions of her appearance, the way she moved and spoke... almost to the exclusion of everything else (except for the non-stop lesbian sex, which was also included at every turn, at the most improbable moments) So much so, that at the end of the book I had just an impression of what everyone else in the story looked like, but could have detailed every aspect of La Davina's persona. I know that the reader is supposed to be as obsessed about her as the characters, but it was a bit much.
Clearly, from a "plot" point of view, characters couldn't just ask the most obvious questions, and had Carly done that, it would have been a different story entirely.
Having said that, I didn't see that ending coming, at all. Good surprise. My only quibble with it was that it seemed rushed? Under the circumstances, I don't think it could have been told differently though.
Interesting to note that there is a published alternate ending - happier, according to reviews - So if this ending leaves you unsatisfied, you could give that a go. I wonder how many people read both and prefer the alternate ending? However, IMO a forced and false happy ending wouldn't have worked nearly as well with the rest of the dark and twisty story.
Other than that, the author was obviously madly in love with one of her main characters, because there were endless descriptions of her appearance, the way she moved and spoke... almost to the exclusion of everything else (except for the non-stop lesbian sex, which was also included at every turn, at the most improbable moments) So much so, that at the end of the book I had just an impression of what everyone else in the story looked like, but could have detailed every aspect of La Davina's persona. I know that the reader is supposed to be as obsessed about her as the characters, but it was a bit much.
Clearly, from a "plot" point of view, characters couldn't just ask the most obvious questions, and had Carly done that, it would have been a different story entirely.
Having said that, I didn't see that ending coming, at all. Good surprise. My only quibble with it was that it seemed rushed? Under the circumstances, I don't think it could have been told differently though.
Interesting to note that there is a published alternate ending - happier, according to reviews - So if this ending leaves you unsatisfied, you could give that a go. I wonder how many people read both and prefer the alternate ending? However, IMO a forced and false happy ending wouldn't have worked nearly as well with the rest of the dark and twisty story.
March 2, 2019
Carly, a talented painter, is practically left at the altar when her long-time boyfriend suddenly becomes enamored of a famous actress, director and author, Anna Garibaldi. In her grief and seeking revenge, Carly asks for an appointment with Anna sending her a photo of a dark portrait she made of the woman. Their meeting leads to a whirlwind relationship and many secrets unveiled throughout the rest of the book.
Like Anna herself, this book takes hold of you as it delves into issues of grief, art, fame, love, sex, and a kind of coming out that is unrelated to sexuality. It is a difficult book to describe because it is not a basic romance, not in the least, yet it is a book about love of many kinds.
Its only weakness is that the action pauses in certain places in the second half as characters tell long stories that help reveal some of their past actions and back stories. I'm not sure how this critical info could have otherwise been conveyed (possibly through moving the reader back and forth through time), but it is a weakness, though not enough to make me rate the book lower than 5 stars.
Like Anna herself, this book takes hold of you as it delves into issues of grief, art, fame, love, sex, and a kind of coming out that is unrelated to sexuality. It is a difficult book to describe because it is not a basic romance, not in the least, yet it is a book about love of many kinds.
Its only weakness is that the action pauses in certain places in the second half as characters tell long stories that help reveal some of their past actions and back stories. I'm not sure how this critical info could have otherwise been conveyed (possibly through moving the reader back and forth through time), but it is a weakness, though not enough to make me rate the book lower than 5 stars.
April 5, 2019
It took me a long time to settle into this book. I think I confused it with another book with a similar color cover. So it took me at least a quarter of the book to start understanding what this book actually is.
For me, this book is an exploration. The characters are far more interesting to me than the details of the plot. Once I accepted that, I could enjoy the book. I found it strangely compelling. I say that in spite of the aspects I didn’t enjoy: even though it frustrated me, the book forced me to continue.
What can I say about the ending?
For me, this book is an exploration. The characters are far more interesting to me than the details of the plot. Once I accepted that, I could enjoy the book. I found it strangely compelling. I say that in spite of the aspects I didn’t enjoy: even though it frustrated me, the book forced me to continue.
What can I say about the ending?
August 1, 2017
Imagine an artist; lifetimes spent in craft; colours, textures, imagery and poetry; imagine grief; raging passions waned by ravaging fires; tragic loss and the illusion of closure - only to lose again. An unforgiving tumult: a bungee jump through the abyss.
For 345 pages (and a steal on Amazon), Victoria Avalon takes readers on this awe-inspiring ride. Needless to say, The Art of Peeling an Orange lives up to all its hype.
A few drawbacks, I'd say, were the shifts in points of view between chapters, which, for most readers might initially be confusing; also the sitcom-like familiarity of the characters (almost cliché) which makes it a little difficult to really connect with the story.
Untimately though, the book is worth reading; well-written, with just enough suspense to keep your attention but not so much as to agitate you; not to mention thrilling romance scenes pleasantly void any cringe-worthy explicitness.
For 345 pages (and a steal on Amazon), Victoria Avalon takes readers on this awe-inspiring ride. Needless to say, The Art of Peeling an Orange lives up to all its hype.
A few drawbacks, I'd say, were the shifts in points of view between chapters, which, for most readers might initially be confusing; also the sitcom-like familiarity of the characters (almost cliché) which makes it a little difficult to really connect with the story.
Untimately though, the book is worth reading; well-written, with just enough suspense to keep your attention but not so much as to agitate you; not to mention thrilling romance scenes pleasantly void any cringe-worthy explicitness.
March 1, 2019
And now for something completely different....this book is a trip! Again a freebie, but the title intrigued me, as did the blurb describing the book as a modern retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Modern it was, set in West Hollywood for the most part, and centering around art, painting to be more precise.
The language used to describe the art in this book is amazing and despite some very crude passages, the writing was completely entrancing.
I could not put this book down.
Modern it was, set in West Hollywood for the most part, and centering around art, painting to be more precise.
The language used to describe the art in this book is amazing and despite some very crude passages, the writing was completely entrancing.
I could not put this book down.
January 6, 2023
this book is written beautifully. the language and descriptions of art and color really draw you in and make it an engaging read. that being said, this book is very sad, and i didn’t love the ending initially. however, after reading the alternate ending written by the author, i ended up appreciating the original one more as it suited the tone of the rest of the story.
the major reason i didn’t love this book (and the reason why i’m torn between 3 and 4 stars) is because the main conflict and ending rely on miscommunication, and it frustrates me when the whole plot could have been avoided with a simple discussion. also, the two main romantic relationships in this book develop very fast and seem rather unhealthy.
while i liked reading this book, i didn’t love the story, and i probably won’t be picking it up again.
the major reason i didn’t love this book (and the reason why i’m torn between 3 and 4 stars) is because the main conflict and ending rely on miscommunication, and it frustrates me when the whole plot could have been avoided with a simple discussion. also, the two main romantic relationships in this book develop very fast and seem rather unhealthy.
while i liked reading this book, i didn’t love the story, and i probably won’t be picking it up again.
January 15, 2018
Tragic, but powerful
This modern day retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice is extremely well written, powerfully emotional, and brilliant. Highly recommended.
EDIT: Looking at some of the low star reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people don't get what this book is: Epic Mythological Drama turned into a modern lesbian romance. (What I'm still trying to figure out is which character represents Orpheus... Near the end, Carly says one thing, but it feels like it's really the other...)
This modern day retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice is extremely well written, powerfully emotional, and brilliant. Highly recommended.
EDIT: Looking at some of the low star reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people don't get what this book is: Epic Mythological Drama turned into a modern lesbian romance. (What I'm still trying to figure out is which character represents Orpheus... Near the end, Carly says one thing, but it feels like it's really the other...)
July 8, 2018
The Art of Peeling an Orange (balled my eyes out) it was sad but so beautifully written that I did not come away with a broken heart...but a pained heart. Sections of this book can read almost like poetry!!! Just beautiful. Such an engaging love story. It's been a long time since I have read a book that was a "sit in an aisle at Barnes and Noble " kind of read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2020
My heart is on fire from reading. My words are aghast at the thought of this book. Very well written and heartfelt. I cannot convey of how much I truly love this book. My love of mythology and Shakespeare plays cannot compare to her writings. In the mood for an eye opener and tears read this book also on audible version.
April 10, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up. This was my first non-YA LGBT romance, and it was a bit more sex (of any flavor!) than I'm used to, but the story (a modern day retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice) was really engaging.
October 3, 2017
Unique!
I recommend this book to lovers of romance and LGBTQA novels. I love that I stumbled upon a novel about characters with fluid sexuality and that the story avoids the heteronormative expectation of explaining that sexuality to the reader or other characters.
I recommend this book to lovers of romance and LGBTQA novels. I love that I stumbled upon a novel about characters with fluid sexuality and that the story avoids the heteronormative expectation of explaining that sexuality to the reader or other characters.
May 17, 2018
Literary Lezfic
Multiple layers of metaphor lace Avilan's complex story of love, secrets, obsession, and a touch of madness. A lush writing style and intellectual treatment of relationships make this an intriguing read.
Multiple layers of metaphor lace Avilan's complex story of love, secrets, obsession, and a touch of madness. A lush writing style and intellectual treatment of relationships make this an intriguing read.
January 22, 2021
This book is heartbreaking, romantic and one you can't put down.
January 14, 2017
A feast for the senses
I am a voracious reader, the power and imagery of this work of art left me speechless in a way very few others have. Immerse yourself and you will not be disappointed.
I am a voracious reader, the power and imagery of this work of art left me speechless in a way very few others have. Immerse yourself and you will not be disappointed.
January 22, 2019
This book has received some mixed reviews, but I feel after reading my review you are going to want to read this story. It has two points of view and is told from the third person perspective. Let’s meet our main players, Carly and Anna.
Carly is an artist and the author provides a lot of her lifestyle. I found it interesting what she chose as her blotting material. The way she paints is an art form in itself and I could visualize what she was working on. She likes to paint portraits and landscapes. She’s obsessed with the past and lives her world through Greek mythology, which is plentiful in the story. She is torn between two sides of her heart. One is love and the other is revenge.
Anna is the second player. She is colorblind and is very mysterious and very complex. Carly has an instant love-hate relationship with her. Anna's vibe was smooth and calm. Never did she raise her voice. She is multilingual, and the author has her speak in these languages throughout the book. I felt that added a nice touch. Anna has the gift of being able to see through loved ones which I felt was beyond words. I learned more things about her as the story unfolded. I felt I was reading about a legend.
In addition, there are a few secondary characters I’d like to introduce, Juliette and Kyra.
Juliette is Anna’s ex-lover and is very much still into her. She does things in the story that will take your breath away as she is sneaky and sly. However, she adds good drama to the story and is a love interest for one of the secondary players.
Kyra is Carly’s sister and can't be fooled. In fact, her presence makes anyone want to confess what they are hiding if they are indeed doing that. She is a good listener but does hold her own judgments.
The author provides scenes from Southern California and it was fun to read about places I've visited. It was exciting to go there in the book. Well done. It will draw you in. I was impressed with how she chose to include Monarch Butterflies in the story, as they are really magnificent insects.
It is easy reading and took me about 4 hours to read. I would recommend one sitting. The pace is moderate, and some scenes will get you tingling. Excitement rises as things unfold between Anna and Carly that you don't want to miss. There is sex in the book, it is tasteful and hot, but not over the top. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
Carly is an artist and the author provides a lot of her lifestyle. I found it interesting what she chose as her blotting material. The way she paints is an art form in itself and I could visualize what she was working on. She likes to paint portraits and landscapes. She’s obsessed with the past and lives her world through Greek mythology, which is plentiful in the story. She is torn between two sides of her heart. One is love and the other is revenge.
Anna is the second player. She is colorblind and is very mysterious and very complex. Carly has an instant love-hate relationship with her. Anna's vibe was smooth and calm. Never did she raise her voice. She is multilingual, and the author has her speak in these languages throughout the book. I felt that added a nice touch. Anna has the gift of being able to see through loved ones which I felt was beyond words. I learned more things about her as the story unfolded. I felt I was reading about a legend.
In addition, there are a few secondary characters I’d like to introduce, Juliette and Kyra.
Juliette is Anna’s ex-lover and is very much still into her. She does things in the story that will take your breath away as she is sneaky and sly. However, she adds good drama to the story and is a love interest for one of the secondary players.
Kyra is Carly’s sister and can't be fooled. In fact, her presence makes anyone want to confess what they are hiding if they are indeed doing that. She is a good listener but does hold her own judgments.
The author provides scenes from Southern California and it was fun to read about places I've visited. It was exciting to go there in the book. Well done. It will draw you in. I was impressed with how she chose to include Monarch Butterflies in the story, as they are really magnificent insects.
It is easy reading and took me about 4 hours to read. I would recommend one sitting. The pace is moderate, and some scenes will get you tingling. Excitement rises as things unfold between Anna and Carly that you don't want to miss. There is sex in the book, it is tasteful and hot, but not over the top. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
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