What do you think?
Rate this book
Davida: Model and Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Augustus Saint-Gaudens was the premier American sculptor from 1880-1920. Though married he fell in love with his model, Davida Johnson Clark and their love affair lasted more than twenty-five years. This fictionalized account will introduce the reader to some of the great art, historical facts, and the moral values of that era.
The author is the great-granddaughter from this union and her purpose in writing the book is to bring recognition to Davida and remove any negative stigma to her. Her grandfather suffered his whole life from being labeled a bastard while growing up and this story is intended to remove that label.
How can a love affair last for such a long period of time? What affect did it have on his career? How did his wife and son cope with their being a second family?
This is a compelling and beautiful love story that has needed to be told.
The author is the great-granddaughter from this union and her purpose in writing the book is to bring recognition to Davida and remove any negative stigma to her. Her grandfather suffered his whole life from being labeled a bastard while growing up and this story is intended to remove that label.
How can a love affair last for such a long period of time? What affect did it have on his career? How did his wife and son cope with their being a second family?
This is a compelling and beautiful love story that has needed to be told.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2016
5 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Karen Ingalls
10 books79 followersMy first book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir won first place in Women's Health and a finalist in Cancer for the National Indie Excellence Award 2013; and was a finalist in both Cancer and Self-Help categories for the Midwest Independent Publishers Award 2012. All proceeds to to gynecologic cancer research.
My first novel is Novy's Son about one man's search for love and acceptance from his father.
David: Model & Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens is a fictionalized biography of America's preeminent sculptor in the 1880-1920 era.
http://www.outshineovariancancer.com
http://www.kareningallsbooks.com
www.outshineovariancancer.blogspot.com
www.kareningalls.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/KIngallsAuthor
http://facebook.com/pages/Outshine-An...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-I...
http://www.amazon.com/Outshine-An-Ova...
http://www.amazon.com/Novys-Son
http://www.amazon.com/Davida-Model-Mi...
My first novel is Novy's Son about one man's search for love and acceptance from his father.
David: Model & Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens is a fictionalized biography of America's preeminent sculptor in the 1880-1920 era.
http://www.outshineovariancancer.com
http://www.kareningallsbooks.com
www.outshineovariancancer.blogspot.com
www.kareningalls.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/KIngallsAuthor
http://facebook.com/pages/Outshine-An...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-I...
http://www.amazon.com/Outshine-An-Ova...
http://www.amazon.com/Novys-Son
http://www.amazon.com/Davida-Model-Mi...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 24, 2018
Anyone who knows that the heart has a mind of its own will love this story; those who aren't privy to that fact need to read it as well. As the saying goes, "true love never runs smooth", and this beautiful, yet inherently sad, story based on the author's great-grandmother demonstrates just such a case, that of meeting the right person at the wrong time.
I recently read an article (https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/...) about relationships that noted finding one's soul mate often followed a karmic relationship which was less that pleasant, i.e., some sort of cosmic payback that needed to be done. Unfortunately, not everyone can walk away from that first encounter, which was the case for Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It's ironic that the one who accepts the responsibilities of the marriage and stays, even while maintaining a love relationship as well, is often judged more harshly than those who get a divorce.
While this is a fictionalized account from the viewpoint of Saint-Gaudens's mistress, Davida Johnson Clark, it nonetheless told a touching story backed up by a tremendous amount of research that made it come alive. The author is entirely honest in the back of the book regarding what was fictionalized. As someone who has done genealogy research, I can say that it is very possible to feel as if you know someone from your past, whether it's through genetic memory or perhaps spiritually channeling the individual. While there is a fair amount of speculation given that documentation as well as various records could not be found, nonetheless the story has the feasibility required to establish its credibility.
Songs and poetry galore have been written expressing the irony of forbidden love. It has always been part of the human condition and probably always will be. Sundry times and cultures have been more tolerant than others, and I found it ironic that Augustus Saint-Gaudens was half French; had this relationship occurred there, perhaps it would have been less of a scandal than it was in America. Nonetheless, he and Davida were as discreet as possible, though the situation was undoubtedly excruciating for them both, their son growing up with a stigma that affected his entire life.
I knew I'd heard of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, but I'd forgotten where, until I came to the part in the book that talked about him designing coins in addition to statues and plaques. Truly he was a great artist of his times, a perfectionist whose work remains today.
Shortly after finishing this book, I was listening to 80s hits via my satellite TV provider and they played "Saving All My Love For You" by Whitney Houston. If this story were made into a movie, that would certainly be part of the soundtrack. While it's easy for the world at large to be judgmental about such things as unfaithfulness, it's important to recognize the difference between continuous, random illicit affairs versus those that last with one specific individual for decades. In a different place and time, those caught in such a situation would have better options.
Those who have experienced such a situation as well as those who need to understand so as not to judge them so harshly, might also want to read, "If Only There Was Music: The Poetry of Forbidden Love". https://www.amazon.com/Only-There-Mus...
This is not a particularly unique situation as many have discovered personally. Finding your soul mate is seldom a painless experience.
Pick up your copy of Davida on Amazon here. https://amzn.to/2K5D1Qn
I recently read an article (https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/...) about relationships that noted finding one's soul mate often followed a karmic relationship which was less that pleasant, i.e., some sort of cosmic payback that needed to be done. Unfortunately, not everyone can walk away from that first encounter, which was the case for Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It's ironic that the one who accepts the responsibilities of the marriage and stays, even while maintaining a love relationship as well, is often judged more harshly than those who get a divorce.
While this is a fictionalized account from the viewpoint of Saint-Gaudens's mistress, Davida Johnson Clark, it nonetheless told a touching story backed up by a tremendous amount of research that made it come alive. The author is entirely honest in the back of the book regarding what was fictionalized. As someone who has done genealogy research, I can say that it is very possible to feel as if you know someone from your past, whether it's through genetic memory or perhaps spiritually channeling the individual. While there is a fair amount of speculation given that documentation as well as various records could not be found, nonetheless the story has the feasibility required to establish its credibility.
Songs and poetry galore have been written expressing the irony of forbidden love. It has always been part of the human condition and probably always will be. Sundry times and cultures have been more tolerant than others, and I found it ironic that Augustus Saint-Gaudens was half French; had this relationship occurred there, perhaps it would have been less of a scandal than it was in America. Nonetheless, he and Davida were as discreet as possible, though the situation was undoubtedly excruciating for them both, their son growing up with a stigma that affected his entire life.
I knew I'd heard of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, but I'd forgotten where, until I came to the part in the book that talked about him designing coins in addition to statues and plaques. Truly he was a great artist of his times, a perfectionist whose work remains today.
Shortly after finishing this book, I was listening to 80s hits via my satellite TV provider and they played "Saving All My Love For You" by Whitney Houston. If this story were made into a movie, that would certainly be part of the soundtrack. While it's easy for the world at large to be judgmental about such things as unfaithfulness, it's important to recognize the difference between continuous, random illicit affairs versus those that last with one specific individual for decades. In a different place and time, those caught in such a situation would have better options.
Those who have experienced such a situation as well as those who need to understand so as not to judge them so harshly, might also want to read, "If Only There Was Music: The Poetry of Forbidden Love". https://www.amazon.com/Only-There-Mus...
This is not a particularly unique situation as many have discovered personally. Finding your soul mate is seldom a painless experience.
Pick up your copy of Davida on Amazon here. https://amzn.to/2K5D1Qn
November 7, 2017
Davida is the story of a young girl coming to America from Sweden in the late 1800's. She and her mother worked at an inn until Davida is offered the chance to model for the artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Augustus and Davida fall in love and embark on a long relationship. They have an illegitimate son.
The story is told in a touching and romantic manner, albeit tragic. I really like history and appreciate the amount of work that goes into research and understanding the customs and nuances of another time period. This is well-done in this novel with lots of care to detail.
The story is told in a touching and romantic manner, albeit tragic. I really like history and appreciate the amount of work that goes into research and understanding the customs and nuances of another time period. This is well-done in this novel with lots of care to detail.
March 15, 2019
Davida by Karen Ingalls is a beautifully written love story based on the real-life model and mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a 19th century sculptor. As a young girl, Albertina Hultgren immigrates to the United States after the tragic death of her father, a woodsman. She misses her father’s fanciful stories about visiting the forests to gain insight from mystical creatures.
After adjusting to her new life in Hoboken, New Jersey, Albertina makes life-long friends and learns to speak English. At a Christmas party, where her mother and aunt have prepared the meal, she captures the attention of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. He impetuously lifts her chin and exclaims she has exquisite beauty and would like to do a sketch of her someday. Her mother reluctantly allows Albertina to pose in his studio after he convinces her that his intentions are honorable. As he creates his art, using Albertina as a model who is publicly known as Davida, they fall deeply in love and she becomes his mistress. She accepts the terms of their relationship, knowing the liaison could create a scandal that could jeopardize his career in a Victorian society. This is ultimately a love story about a woman who gives her unconditional devotion to an acclaimed sculptor and shares his passion for his artwork, regardless of her hardships and the stigma of giving birth to their son out of wedlock.
Author Ingalls’ prose is as eloquent as the artistry she projects in the story. Davida is depicted as the epitome of the Greek goddess, Diana, who finds solace and strength from nature to reach into her inner soul and to find her true self. The love story comes across as almost mythical because Davida sacrifices almost everything to make sure Augustus achieves the pinnacle of his true passion to create masterpieces. Davida is a heartfelt story that fills you with both joy and tears. The paperback is beautifully formatted and reflects the artistry in the story.
For those who believe in true love, Davida is a must read by Karen Ingalls, the only surviving great-grandchild from the union of Davida and Augustus. She fills in the minimal facts about their union with her own imagination of how a Swedish immigrant becomes the true love and mistress of an acclaimed artist.
After adjusting to her new life in Hoboken, New Jersey, Albertina makes life-long friends and learns to speak English. At a Christmas party, where her mother and aunt have prepared the meal, she captures the attention of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. He impetuously lifts her chin and exclaims she has exquisite beauty and would like to do a sketch of her someday. Her mother reluctantly allows Albertina to pose in his studio after he convinces her that his intentions are honorable. As he creates his art, using Albertina as a model who is publicly known as Davida, they fall deeply in love and she becomes his mistress. She accepts the terms of their relationship, knowing the liaison could create a scandal that could jeopardize his career in a Victorian society. This is ultimately a love story about a woman who gives her unconditional devotion to an acclaimed sculptor and shares his passion for his artwork, regardless of her hardships and the stigma of giving birth to their son out of wedlock.
Author Ingalls’ prose is as eloquent as the artistry she projects in the story. Davida is depicted as the epitome of the Greek goddess, Diana, who finds solace and strength from nature to reach into her inner soul and to find her true self. The love story comes across as almost mythical because Davida sacrifices almost everything to make sure Augustus achieves the pinnacle of his true passion to create masterpieces. Davida is a heartfelt story that fills you with both joy and tears. The paperback is beautifully formatted and reflects the artistry in the story.
For those who believe in true love, Davida is a must read by Karen Ingalls, the only surviving great-grandchild from the union of Davida and Augustus. She fills in the minimal facts about their union with her own imagination of how a Swedish immigrant becomes the true love and mistress of an acclaimed artist.
April 18, 2019
Davida: Model and Mistress of Augustus Saint – Gaudens by Karen Ingalls is the story of unconditional love, written with extreme sensitivity, as it is also the story of author’s great grandmother – Albertina who was hired as a model by a sculptor. I penned down the following verses while reading this book:
Drifting into dreams of forbidden love,
Intoxicated by the jaunt of innocence,
Forgetting self to live within moments,
Hiding behind the mist of circumstances,
She flew on the clouds of ignominy.
Love for a married man or was it infatuation that Albertina couldn’t escape? Since this is a fictionalized account of their lives, nobody knows what were the real circumstances. Gus gives a new name to his model, admires her beauty so much that she accepts whatever time he offers to her, confessing his inability to divorce his wife, even after she gives birth to a son, out of wedlock! Those were the times when the rich and the mighty had many illicit affairs and Augustus Saint – Gaudens, a renowned sculptor was no exception. But Albertina refuses to be rational and takes pride in dancing to his tunes!
Karen handles the story delicately by incorporating Albertina’s love for nature and fairies that guided her. Her determination to face her family and society despite her doubts, her guilt and her helplessness has been portrayed poignantly. Her efforts to find solace in the forest and the message she got from her fairies “Davida, follow your heart” bring out her internal struggle but she emerges stronger and resilient. It is Louis, her son who steals your heart in the end though his emotions have not been given much space in this book.
Drifting into dreams of forbidden love,
Intoxicated by the jaunt of innocence,
Forgetting self to live within moments,
Hiding behind the mist of circumstances,
She flew on the clouds of ignominy.
Love for a married man or was it infatuation that Albertina couldn’t escape? Since this is a fictionalized account of their lives, nobody knows what were the real circumstances. Gus gives a new name to his model, admires her beauty so much that she accepts whatever time he offers to her, confessing his inability to divorce his wife, even after she gives birth to a son, out of wedlock! Those were the times when the rich and the mighty had many illicit affairs and Augustus Saint – Gaudens, a renowned sculptor was no exception. But Albertina refuses to be rational and takes pride in dancing to his tunes!
Karen handles the story delicately by incorporating Albertina’s love for nature and fairies that guided her. Her determination to face her family and society despite her doubts, her guilt and her helplessness has been portrayed poignantly. Her efforts to find solace in the forest and the message she got from her fairies “Davida, follow your heart” bring out her internal struggle but she emerges stronger and resilient. It is Louis, her son who steals your heart in the end though his emotions have not been given much space in this book.
September 18, 2018
Having read and loved “Novy’s Son” I was intrigued to learn about Novy’s parents. This story started out with the life of a girl Albertina who left Sweden with her mother for a new life in America. Written in first person enabled me to experience this journey with her. I loved her peaceful life with her mother, aunt, and uncle in America. The details about Swedish culture were fascinating and added another depth to this story. I delighted in her trips into the forest to connect and find answers. I appreciated learning about all the artwork and how it would feel to be a model for it. Although Ms. Ingalls didn’t know much about Albertina/Davida, she still created a story about her great-grandparents that was spell-binding. Albertina’s innocence and obedience to her mother, merged with her curiosity and emotions blending into a story that felt very real to me. I understood the woman who went from Albertina to Davida. I felt for everyone person involved--including the wife. For Davida to love that unconditionally, even with society’s disapproval, shows not only a tragic situation, but one where she had so much strength and respect for that love. This was an amazing read that I got lost in. What a legacy that their great granddaughter wrote about. I highly recommend this if you love art, history, human relationships--or a love story.
February 2, 2018
Traveling to the U.S. in 1876 with her mother, Albertina (Davida), a young Swedish girl will become a beautiful woman and later model for talented and well-known American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The eventual union between artist and model, the author's great-grandmother and Augustus Saint-Gaudens produced a son, Louis. Saint-Gaudens, however, is married. “Bastard” was a term used for someone who had no social standing or recognition. He and his mother could not go out together where they might be recognized by people who were familiar with Saint-Gaudens’ wife, who had also given Saint-Gaudens a son.
Ms. Ingalls tells a love story between a highly successful sculptor and a Swedish emigrant who is very beautiful and also very naïve. Their son is called Novy by his father but never allowed to enter society with his fathers’ last name. The stigma of being illegitimate follows the man all of his life. He becomes disaffected, reclusive, and never integrates well into society.
Albertina has a love of the outdoors and the spirits of the woods melds into the story with gentle recognition and the heart of a true romantic raised in strict Victorian standards. That a liaison with the sculptor would ever happen is remarkable as well as the relatives and friends who rally around the young lady as she raises the child on her own. She never loses her love for his father and the secret of illegitimacy is kept hidden throughout the son’s life. Mr. Saint-Gaudens takes very good care of his lover and their child. They are not wont for anything except the recognition of who they really are. License is taken with tales of longing, searching, and forest creatures that sometimes invade the conscious of people familiar with forest environs.
On the whole, a beautiful love story and whose to say it couldn't have happened that way. They maintained a relationship for twenty-five years. I applaud the author for the humanity and loving understanding with which it was written. I was given a download of this book and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Recommended for anyone interested in early American arts, the Beaux-Arts, the American Renaissance, romance, and biographies. C. E. Williams
See my full review on https://rosepointpublishing.com on Feb 4, 2018
Ms. Ingalls tells a love story between a highly successful sculptor and a Swedish emigrant who is very beautiful and also very naïve. Their son is called Novy by his father but never allowed to enter society with his fathers’ last name. The stigma of being illegitimate follows the man all of his life. He becomes disaffected, reclusive, and never integrates well into society.
Albertina has a love of the outdoors and the spirits of the woods melds into the story with gentle recognition and the heart of a true romantic raised in strict Victorian standards. That a liaison with the sculptor would ever happen is remarkable as well as the relatives and friends who rally around the young lady as she raises the child on her own. She never loses her love for his father and the secret of illegitimacy is kept hidden throughout the son’s life. Mr. Saint-Gaudens takes very good care of his lover and their child. They are not wont for anything except the recognition of who they really are. License is taken with tales of longing, searching, and forest creatures that sometimes invade the conscious of people familiar with forest environs.
On the whole, a beautiful love story and whose to say it couldn't have happened that way. They maintained a relationship for twenty-five years. I applaud the author for the humanity and loving understanding with which it was written. I was given a download of this book and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Recommended for anyone interested in early American arts, the Beaux-Arts, the American Renaissance, romance, and biographies. C. E. Williams
See my full review on https://rosepointpublishing.com on Feb 4, 2018
October 1, 2017
What a beautiful recreation of a tragic love story! There are many parts of this that are fictional because the real participants are no longer here to share their story, but the love affair truly existed and the lineage that resulted from that affair still lives. I want to believe that the love affair happened as written in this book because it shows a devotion to love that isn't seen often in our world anymore.
The book wasn't unrealistically romantic, but it held a true and deep love between Davida and August. It also held the harsh reality of those times. It was real in the sense that Gus loved both Gussie and Davida, just differently. It is sad that society will shame people who do not fit into their mold. I felt for Novy. I can only imagine how much he struggled with his parent's affair as he grew up.
I don't usually read memoirs, even fictional ones, but I found myself fascinated with the purity of the characters and the way their affair was embedded in so much historical events. And I am not one who enjoys history, so that is saying a lot! lol!
The book wasn't unrealistically romantic, but it held a true and deep love between Davida and August. It also held the harsh reality of those times. It was real in the sense that Gus loved both Gussie and Davida, just differently. It is sad that society will shame people who do not fit into their mold. I felt for Novy. I can only imagine how much he struggled with his parent's affair as he grew up.
I don't usually read memoirs, even fictional ones, but I found myself fascinated with the purity of the characters and the way their affair was embedded in so much historical events. And I am not one who enjoys history, so that is saying a lot! lol!
January 16, 2020
'Davida' by accomplished memoir writer Karen Ingalls is a pleasure to read & a book to cherish. It is a tender story about two real people, a famous sculptor & his mistress & the eternal love they shared. The story chronicles in a prose form their life together which is written beautifully by Karen Ingalls. I loved the book. It brings out a lot of sentimentality as we recollect with the author the love between Davida & Gus. The book is a wonderful biography which all memoir lovers should read. Those readers to reside in the USA should also read the book to see the heritage of Gus' art in their own country. The memoir 'Davida' is crafted well, with excellent extra information for further research & a lot of goodness which is a singular quality that makes 'Davida' an enchanting read. I highly recommend this memoir to everyone who likes well written biographies. It's a quick read & well edited which makes it a perfect read on a week day. I hope to read more books by author Karen Ingalls in the near future. Kudos to her on a job well done ! Happy reading to all !
June 21, 2018
While a bit slower paced than my usual reads, I did enjoy Davida. It is a tale of forbidden love during a time of extreme social conservativism.
The main character, Albertina, has a sweet innocence and charm that capture the reader’s adoration.
Her lover, Gus, is a driven artist who is torn between his desire for Albertina and his passion for art. He’s already married and has a son. If he chooses Albertina exclusively, his career as a sculptor is over.
I would highly recommend Davida to anyone who is a fan of romance, history and art.
The main character, Albertina, has a sweet innocence and charm that capture the reader’s adoration.
Her lover, Gus, is a driven artist who is torn between his desire for Albertina and his passion for art. He’s already married and has a son. If he chooses Albertina exclusively, his career as a sculptor is over.
I would highly recommend Davida to anyone who is a fan of romance, history and art.
January 8, 2018
Such a great book! I plan to order one as a gift!
February 13, 2017
I found myself drawn in by this fictional story of the author's great grand-parents love affair, that spanned from the late 1800's to the early 1900's, a period of 25 years. I read that the author wanted to write this book as her grand father suffered greatly from the social stigma, that he was a 'bastard.' A label he carried for his whole life. The research and the work done by the author is outstanding, as she writes of the history of the time, of many artists and sculptors during that period. Her great grand-father was a famous sculptor and her great grand-mother was his model. Even though the author had little to go on before she wrote the book, she has written the story in such a way that it may well have been true. She has included author notes in the back of the book on each chapter, which are very helpful in explaining the events and the story in each chapter, whether true or not. A highly recommended read.
March 1, 2018
Hauntingly Poignant Story Of Love's Triumph Despite Adversities
It has been a long while since I've read a story which has not allowed me to let go of it. It fired my imagination to such an extend that I read everything about Augustus Saint-Gaudens and DAVIDA Clark Johnson I could find, even before I finished the book. I fully understand the author's profound interest in Davida Clark Johnson - a wonderful legacy - yet, it's more than family ties; it's almost bordering on an obsession and even though Ms Ingalls masterfully filled in the gaps - fluent writing, meaningful, believable dialogue, and excellent, extensive research - especially as far as DAVIDA is concerned, I wish somehow more could have been revealed.
Even though I admire the exquisite art of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, I feel that he has taken advantage of DAVIDA, considering her youth and being a young immigrant at a time, after the Civil War when work would have been scarce. So I don't like him much, although he ingratiated himself with me when he handsomely provided for his mistress and her child. Yet, all this would never lessen the pain and stigma an-out-of-wedlock birth would bring to both of them for the rest of their lives. The author describes such feelings and surrounding circumstances in a most satisfying manner.
There is so much more to say, but suffice to mention that this story is well-researched, written with insight and deep feeling, well-edited and therefore an all-together pleasant, memorable read. If you like historical fiction based on truth, you will enjoy this timeless story immensely, which rings true in our modern society as well, namely that there will always be co-lateral damage in a love triangle and most often, children born from such unions suffer the most.
It has been a long while since I've read a story which has not allowed me to let go of it. It fired my imagination to such an extend that I read everything about Augustus Saint-Gaudens and DAVIDA Clark Johnson I could find, even before I finished the book. I fully understand the author's profound interest in Davida Clark Johnson - a wonderful legacy - yet, it's more than family ties; it's almost bordering on an obsession and even though Ms Ingalls masterfully filled in the gaps - fluent writing, meaningful, believable dialogue, and excellent, extensive research - especially as far as DAVIDA is concerned, I wish somehow more could have been revealed.
Even though I admire the exquisite art of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, I feel that he has taken advantage of DAVIDA, considering her youth and being a young immigrant at a time, after the Civil War when work would have been scarce. So I don't like him much, although he ingratiated himself with me when he handsomely provided for his mistress and her child. Yet, all this would never lessen the pain and stigma an-out-of-wedlock birth would bring to both of them for the rest of their lives. The author describes such feelings and surrounding circumstances in a most satisfying manner.
There is so much more to say, but suffice to mention that this story is well-researched, written with insight and deep feeling, well-edited and therefore an all-together pleasant, memorable read. If you like historical fiction based on truth, you will enjoy this timeless story immensely, which rings true in our modern society as well, namely that there will always be co-lateral damage in a love triangle and most often, children born from such unions suffer the most.
January 6, 2017
I love reading romances, love, and feel good stories. Davida felt to me like a tragic love story. Albertina loved, and was loved, but I saw that love as very painful for all concerned. As I read this beautiful, and intimate love triangle, I couldn’t but feel sad for all concerned. I couldn’t even take sides, because I could stand back and take a careful look at the situation, and understand the drama. Things like this happen all the time.
In love triangles like this, the people that suffer most, are the children. Living in the shadows of others, leave those living in the shadow with bitterness, and sometimes, hate. Louis, the child born out of this triangle, suffered all his life from hiding the true state of his birth. His reaction, in the end was his attempt in wiping all the residue of that birth, that was, not only suppressive, but considered illegitimate by the society. He wiped his past in an effort to becoming himself, a new person, with no links to that past.
It is easy to judge Albertina, and also Gus in situations like this, but, as I already said, things like this happen all the time. Man is a polygamous animal. Only a few men can curb that urge. Davida is a well written, intimate, but sad love story.
In love triangles like this, the people that suffer most, are the children. Living in the shadows of others, leave those living in the shadow with bitterness, and sometimes, hate. Louis, the child born out of this triangle, suffered all his life from hiding the true state of his birth. His reaction, in the end was his attempt in wiping all the residue of that birth, that was, not only suppressive, but considered illegitimate by the society. He wiped his past in an effort to becoming himself, a new person, with no links to that past.
It is easy to judge Albertina, and also Gus in situations like this, but, as I already said, things like this happen all the time. Man is a polygamous animal. Only a few men can curb that urge. Davida is a well written, intimate, but sad love story.
June 26, 2016
I chose to read this book as it’s unlike what I usually read and I really loved it. The story is based on a true story although, the author had to fill in the blanks. The book starts with Albertina, a young Swedish girl, traveling to the U.S. with her mother after the death of her father. They have family in the U.S. Albertina quickly grows into a beautiful young woman who catches the eye of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. He is an artist and wants to hire her as a model. They become involved in a relationship beyond that of model and artist.
This story is beautifully written and captivated me from start to finish. I can’t say I like Augustus at all. He seemed very emotionally selfish and inconsiderate but financially extravagant. Albertina on the other hand, I really liked. She was a strong woman but I question her taste in men. However, the story takes place soon after the civil war in the U.S. and the country was a very different place then. Part of the beauty in the writing is the feelings the story invoked in me. Only the most talented writers can do that.
This story is beautifully written and captivated me from start to finish. I can’t say I like Augustus at all. He seemed very emotionally selfish and inconsiderate but financially extravagant. Albertina on the other hand, I really liked. She was a strong woman but I question her taste in men. However, the story takes place soon after the civil war in the U.S. and the country was a very different place then. Part of the beauty in the writing is the feelings the story invoked in me. Only the most talented writers can do that.
July 5, 2016
Very interesting read and full of behind the scenes stories about the famous sculptor and his mistress model. Told from the perspective of Albertine, I learned a lot about difficulties of posing for long periods. Could her vanity indulged by Gus's flattery given her the courage to stand nude with arms wide open for hours on end. This Victorian romance was tastefully written despite the scandal. Felt most sorry for the son of this union and his many "fatherless" years.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews