Something That Cannot Die

by Paula McLain, Cynthia Nixon (Narrator )

A powerful and revealing story about Georgia O’Keeffe, torn between the city that made her and the desert that promises to set her free, written by Paula McLain, the New York Times best-selling author of The Paris Wife and the forthcoming When the Stars Go Dark, and performed by Emmy Award-winning actress Cynthia Nixon.

It’s 1929 in New York City. In an apartment high above Lexington Avenue, the painter Georgia O’Keeffe feels stuck. At 42, she should be at the apex of her powers as an artist, and yet something is missing. Her husband - the gallerist Alfred Stieglitz, who helped build her reputation in the art world - has grown needy and insecure, not to mention unfaithful. More than this, her work has lost its fire, and she knows it. The calla lilies and poppies for which she is revered now seem careful, predictable. Feeling desperate and conflicted, Georgia flees to New Mexico in search of something that will ignite her once again. There, she meets an adventurous young woman whose energy and optimism take hold of Georgia and show her a glimpse of what another kind of life - one of her own making - might look like.

Set against the transcendent desert landscapes of New Mexico, and brought to life by a beloved voice and contemporary master of historical fiction, Something That Cannot Die is an intimate portrait of a great artist and the adventures - both physical and spiritual - that moved and changed her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Art, Feminism, Womens

Audible Audio

First published December 17, 2020

About the author

Paula McLain is the author of the New York Times and internationally bestselling novels, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun and Love and Ruin. Her latest instant bestseller is, When the Stars Go Dark. Her forthcoming novel is Skylark, on shelves 1/6/26. She received an MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996, and is also the author of two collections of poetry, the memoir Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses, and the debut novel, A Ticket to Ride. Her work has has appeared in The New York Times, Real Simple, Town & Country, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, and elsewhere. She lives with her family in Cleveland, Ohio.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Audible short story based on the life of Georgia O’Keefe, her oppressive marriage, which seemed to be unstable from the beginning. He is unfaithful, but also unreasonably demanding that she yield to his way. She decides to travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the journey changes her life, and the way she views her future. A lovely short listen narrated by Cynthia Nixon.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short gem, beautifully written. I enjoy Paula McLain’s writing. This novella is based on Georgia O’Keeffe’s life at Ghost Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I enjoyed it so much I listened to it twice. I wish it had been longer! This was a comfort to my soul and a beautiful escape for a short while. Cynthia Nixon is the narrator, and she was fantastic! I certainly hope to listen to her again!
Published 2020

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia on my Mind: Georgia O'Keeffe and Ghost Ranch
Review of the Audible Original audiobook edition (December 2020)

June 2, 2024 Update A minor update to fix the link to Sifted Magazine, the source for the "Georgia O'Keeffe with the Cheese" photo below.

Something That Cannot Die is a fairly short (1 hour & 22 minute) historical fiction novella about American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her gradual move to New Mexico between 1929 and 1940 and eventual separation from her life in New York City with photographer Alfred Stieglitz.

Paula McLain does a perfect job in recreating the story of O'Keeffe's search for a unique location where to create her future life and iconic works of art. O'Keeffe's meetings with later friend Maria Chabot are characterized as a key turning point in her life.

The narration by actress Cynthia Nixon in all voices was excellent.

Trivia and Link
The cover image for the Audible Original audiobook is cropped from the photograph "Georgia O’Keeffe with the Cheese, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, 1960" by Michael A. Vaccaro from a portrait series that he shot for Look Magazine in 1960.

Image sourced from Sifted Magazine, June 2017 at Georgia O'Keeffe Living Modern.

A more authentic-to-the-period photograph is an Alfred Stieglitz portrait dated 1930-31:

Image sourced from Artland Magazine at https://magazine.artland.com/life-by-...

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtful exploration of a small time frame of Georgia O’Keeffe's life. I recently read and loved When the Stars Go Dark by the same author, so when I saw this audible freebie, I thought, why not? Well written and beautifully narrated, my biggest issue was that it was too short, but this has convinced me to try on her other full length novels. Suggestions any one?

[Valerie Campbell Ackroyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia O'Keeffe is synonymous with Santa Fe and Ghost Ranch, both places I am quite familiar with. But, although I encountered references to O'Keeffe virtually everywhere I went in those two places, I am not a huge fan of her painting. It's just not my style although of course I recognize her talent. Having lived in Santa Fe for a few years, paintings of the area abound and some speak to me much more.

Having said that, I am so glad to have listened to this novella. It has brought O'Keeffe to life and I will go back to Santa Fe next time seeking her museum out with a new appreciation. The novella is a kind of fictionalized "autobiography" beautifully narrated by Cynthia Nixon as O'Keeffe. The story is told delicately, almost girlishly, of a woman emerging from under the thumb of a powerful man (Alfred Stieglitz) and falling in love with the New Mexican landscape. It's the journey of a self, as O'Keeffe comes to realize that she is more than what Stieglitz told her she was. As she says to a woman she meets and has a conversation with beside a fire in the desert "No one can give your self to your self." Words to ponder indeed as I mull over the lesson in O'Keeffe's story.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short audio about Georgia O’Keeffe. She is an American painter known for brightly colored flowers and New Mexico landscapes. In her early forties after being married for years she needs to find inspiration again so she makes a trip to New Mexico without her hubby where she finds passion once again. Cynthia Nixon narrated this short story. This was one of my moms favorite artist. My mom was also an artist and I remember going to New Mexico to Georgia O’Keeffe gallery in Santa Fe with my mom. Special memories I treasure. #paulamclain, #georgiaokeeffe, #audible, #audiobook, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #bookstagram, #stamperlady50

[Michele Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about Georgia O'Keefe by Paula McLain. My only complaint is I wish it was longer!

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet nugget by one of my favorite authors.

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short, sweet listen about the artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

Married to an older man with occasional infidelity problems, she decides on a break to New Mexico. Her husband, insecure, learns to make some peace with this which becomes an annual event where she would spend her time painting and rediscovering herself.

The book covers a very short period of Georgia's life and does not really focus on her paintings at all but rather on her personal life, marriage and quest for independence.

I did not love the narration and hence rounded down my rating from 2.5 to 2.

[Colleen Chi-Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful and powerful short memoirs/bios on Georgia O'Keefe.

Bravo to Paula McLain and thank you to her and Audible for the complimentary copy that now comes free with membership.

It was narrated, really "performed by" the lovely, talented, Cynthia Nixon, who does an amazing job that puts you smack into New Mexico back in the 1930's or so, when Ms. O'Keefe decided to paint the desert. In the desert. At first, O'Keefe visited once a year, and she grew to love it so much that she bought the Ghost Ranch main "house" and stayed.

TRANSCEND INTO ANOTHER PLACE AND TIME WHEN SOME WOMEN TOOK BACK SOME OF THEIR POWER THAT HAD BEEN LOST BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE 1920'S.

[Kipperly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written audiobook written from the point of view of Georgia O’Keeffe beginning with her first trips to New Mexico and what it must have been like in the 1920s to venture out independently away from her demanding husband, Alfred Stieglitz. Cynthia Nixon gives an outstanding performance that is truly wonderful.

The duration is approximately one hour and twenty minutes, yet this piece is full of lovely description and emotion and feels utterly complete.

[Annissa Joy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Audible Original by Paula McLain is very enjoyable. It is about the life of Georgia O’Keefe. Her husband is having an affair and she is being suffocated by this. She starts to spend time in New Mexico painting and she loves being there. She has found herself here and buys some property and stays. The narrator is Cynthia Nixon and she does a wonderful job. Beautifully written story by Paula McLain. Highly recommend!!

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t say this often but this could have been a longer book, I really enjoyed it. Then again I’m a desert rat at heart so talk to me about the way the sand blows in your face while camping any day and I’m all ears for some reason.

[Kathleen McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely listen, esp w/Cynthia Nixon. Mnmnnm. I keep looking for a review that says this was based on some of G O'K's journals or letters or something. I can see that it's losely based on her life/trajectory as an artist, but am nagged that I can't find sources. It was a great moment of self-awakening of an incredible artist. I know it's fiction. But that it's also sorta true.

I've had a reply from Paula McLain! It's mostly based on truth!! You gotta read this if you have an interest in O'Keeffe!

Here's what she said:
"In addition to steeping myself in a handful of the usual biographies, the real find was stumbling on the correspondence between O'Keeffe and Maria Chabot, 1941-1949, published by University of New Mexico Press, 2003."

Thanks so much Paula!!!

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this and wish it were longer.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic, bite-sized, Audible original of historical fiction centered around the artist Georgia O'Keeffe. As succinct and pleasant as a warm shower.

If you have Audible I believe this is an included read (ie free), and hence I'd recommend.

Quotes

- "Taos seems to be a place where no one apologizes for wanting what they want, or being exactly what they are. It does my heart good to see them. To know I'm not the only one craving freedom."

- "It seems to me your can either have love, or you can be yourself. One rarely has both."

- "No one can give yourself to yourself."

[S.C in AZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy Audible listen: I loved learning a little bit about Georgia O’Keeffe, and her time in New Mexico. It was so interesting, and I will now look to read more about her. Cynthia Nixon was phenomenal as a reader. I hope she does more.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was extremely enjoyable. I really enjoyed the way Paula McLain wove the story. I would love to learn more about O'Keeffe's life

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I are fans of Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. This was a interesting glimpse into a sliver of her life and how changing perspective can change ones work.

[Ketti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short glimpse into the life of Georgia O’Keefe.
Many years ago I walked into an art museum in Portland Oregon and there was one of O’Keefe’s red/orange poppies on display.
It was so stunning that it brought tears to my eyes. I felt as if I could fall into the color, I still think about it.

[Cherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the lesson of this book! Make sure to look within & don't forget your dreams & goals in relationships.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Production. Spent time in Abiquiu and at the Ghost Ranch. McLain perfectly captures it and the Voice of Georgia O’Keefe! 4 Stars!

[Laura Alvarado · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started listening I thought, this is a poet! Paula McLain must be a poet! So she is! The story is beautiful. To me, it's about the beauty of solitude. She explores how it was being too modern and selfish to go away without the husband around that time (around 1929 and correct me if I'm wrong) and the power of reconnecting with oneself and what surrounds us.

The story's main character is Georgia O’Keeffe. It mainly takes place during her retreats to New Mexico to reconnect with herself.

My favorite quotes:
1. "Perhaps no marriage can ever be enough for anyone."
2. "We all struggle...no one can give yourself to yourself. Do you understand what I mean?"

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not what I expected. Instead of a documentary, it’s a monologue about finding artistic freedom. Great title for artists and creators to enjoy. I found it overly long and somewhat dull. The artist finds a place in New Mexico that inspires her artwork.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this small glimpse into the live of Georgia O'Keefe. I've read quite a bit about her, and visited all the places described in New Mexico. It was a wonderful slice of calm in my day.

The Audible narration by actress/narrator Cynthia Nixon was well paced.

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of both Georgia O’Keefe and Paula McClain. A beautiful story of women coming to age and recognizing oneself in life, relationships and art.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something That Cannot Die by Paula McClain is an Audible Original story of about 90-minute length, a first-person historical fiction biography, that relates one turning point in the artist Georgia O’Keefe’s life. Cynthia Nixon is the reader and does an okay job, though I hadn’t imagined O’Keefe’s voice sounded anything like the light sort of vanilla girlish tone we hear. The condensed story is maybe a familiar one of a woman, married to a much older, iconically famous and expectedly controlling (male) artist, the photographer Alfred Stieglitz. I thought it was okay, imagining an important moment in her life, but I'll say, if you know little about her, read whole biographies, get volumes of her art.

O’Keefe meets and marries the much older Stieglitz in her early twenties, enamored by his fame, flattered by his mentoring encouragement, but she is expected to be at home near him as he ages, and is ailing, and in spite of the fact that he is constantly unfaithful to her. She needs a new beginning with her artistic life and resisting his discouragement, moves west for a time to get a fresh start, but the jerk will not even visit her there in the desert. He didn’t want her to have children, though she did. And yes, she traverses the country between NYC and the desert so she can remain in some fashion with him.

O’Keefe in the desert meets Maria Chabot, who helps her to artistic and personal independence. The story is more about a woman’s need for space to accomplish her personal goals than her painting, really, which is fine except it feels more like light feminist allegory to me than a story of O'Keefe per se.
.
I thought this short story to be solid but unremarkable, given the complexity of O’Keefe’s work, I was curious about McClain’s sources, and I initially found nothing until I saw that Goodreads reviewer Kathleen McCormick actually had written to McLain to ask about what she had drawn in to create her work. Here's what McClain said:

"In addition to steeping myself in a handful of the usual biographies, the real find was stumbling on the correspondence between O'Keeffe and Maria Chabot, 1941-1949, published by University of New Mexico Press, 2003."

At that moment I appreciated the book a bit as coming from more substance than I had imagined. It kinda made me want to read those letters, which the author would of course encourage. But I would have liked more about the actual art of a great artist.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was in my Audible library and I was looking for short reads here at year's end when my attention span and reading time are both limited. The title intrigued me and I didn't even realize until I was a little way in that it was about Georgia O'Keefe. I was excited when I figured it out though, since she's a painter whose work I admire.

I'm always intrigued by fiction featuring historical figures. The story telling methods of fiction can make events come to life in a different way than nonfiction, but then I'm also left wondering what is and isn't true.

I've always associated O'Keefe with the desert of the southwestern United States, and had not delved into her history, so I didn't realize that wasn't her whole life--I don't think I'd heard about her New York life with her husband before. Very much liked the trajectory of taking hold of her own life and laying claim to what she needed for herself, even if it's not what a wife of her era was supposed to do.

I like the first half of the story better than the last bit. There's a dialogue heavy segment near the end that felt stilted to me, like a staged conversation, rather than a real one.

I also found it strange that we never had another scene with the husband past the one when she returned from New Mexico for the first time. That tension of breaking away from societal expectations for a wife was lost when he just drifted out of the story, which may be why the story felt incomplete to me.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying the Audible Original short stories. It’s a fantastic way to sample author’s writing styles.

Paula McLain was asked by Audible for a short story, and she decided to fulfill her interest in writing an historical fiction account of Georgia O’Keeffe. McLain focuses her story on one transformative summer in O’Keefe’s life, when O’Keeffe was searching for a way to live her life authentically.

Cynthia Nixon brilliantly narrates the 1 hour and 22-minute short story. In that short time, the listener feels O’Keeffe’s frustration with her lot in life in 1929. Women were not allowed independence that men were afforded. She decides to go to New Mexico, alone, to find her creative spirit.

I didn’t know much about O’Keeffe prior to listening to this short story. I am now motivated to learn more about her life.

[Roberta Lynne Ruben · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short dramatic selection from the life of Georgia O’Keefe renowned artist of flowers, landscapes, nature, and bones symbols of her life in rural New Mexico in the early and mid 20th century. Not even 2 hours in length.

The author assume that everyone who listened to this short segment of her long life knows about her early experiences with Alfred Stieglitz, her struggles against his control of her freedom to paint what she wanted to express, and his influence over her. She became a legend whose symbolism is often misinterpreted by many artist of the 20th and 21st century. All feminist have influenced by her ability to break free of tradition women’s roles. I wish this was a more complete biography.