Exquisite Corpse

by Maryam Diener

In Exquisite Corpse, Maryam Diener transports us to the wildly creative world of the female Surrealists, gifted and powerful figures often marginalised by their male contemporaries. Known for seeing women as muses and objects of desire rather than artists in their own right, André Breton, co-founder of Surrealism, wrote: ‘The problem of woman is the most marvellous and disturbing problem in all the world.’ For him and his clique women were dangerous and alluring, but always ‘other’.

In a series of dreamlike fragments from the minds of five brilliant artists, Maryam Diener weave together the destinies of these half-forgotten pioneers as their lives intersect geographically and emotionally. This is the story of women who fought to prove their existence.

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Catalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exquisite Corpse is a very slim collection of vignettes that brings into focus the female artists of the Surrealist movement. I must admit I didn't know anything about this artists, but at the same time I cannot pretend I know a lot about the Surrealist movement, as it's not a period in art that really fascinates me. Despite that or should I say in spite of that, some of the scenes were so vivid and intimate that they inspired me to search for more information. I've also really enjoyed the inclusion of paintings and photographs that really helps to bring everything to life. But overall I felt that the novel lacks depth and on top of that my impression is that the text didn't venture into recreating anything else that what one could find in a biography of this artists. My 3* rating reflects the fact I was expecting something more visceral, rather than the cliche debauchery I have thought(and in many was it was reinforced by this novel) characterised this period in art.

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read via the Pigeonhole app. Three stars from me means I believe the author has achieved what they intended, so it’s a success, but I personally didn’t fall in love with it.

I enjoyed the book most when we were reading about the women’s own art, as opposed to their romantic relationships, which, because of societal misogyny, is still the focus of many biographies. I particularly liked the scene with Remedios Varos and Leonora Carrington which was very well conceived and delivered.

Unfortunately still too much of the men for my liking. However, if you’re less familiar with the women artists in the surrealist circles and want a very quick read, this is the book for you.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book of vignettes of the lives of women Surrealist artists with the Pigeonhole. It’s a lovely, lyrical glimpse into the lives of the lives of women overshadowed by the men with whom they worked and lived.
I really enjoyed this as a nudge to find out more about these artists. I knew a bit about Leonora Carrington but the rest were mostly unknown to me. I appreciated the photos throughout and would recommend to people as a way of introducing themselves to these women’s lives.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must confess that I knew very little about the women in this book and surrealism isn't my favourite genre. However I found the book interesting and I'd like to know more about the women's lives. Lots of extra content too on the Pigeonhole app which I enjoyed.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief introduction to some of the women of the Surrealist art movement and their fascinating (but often tragic) lives.

Just enought to pique the reader's interest and provide a starting point for further reading. The book also includes some lovely photos of relevant artworks.

I'll certainly be investigating further!

Thanks to the author and Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this book.

[Joanna McQueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in staves with The Pigeonhole online book club, other readers and the author. It was a pleasure and I am truly grateful. The additional content and comments that Maryam provided enhanced this unique experience.

Although I was not sure what to expect from this book, I was intrigued with each snippet of the fascinating women Diener included. The dreamlike flashes of stories unknown to many were inspiring and heartbreaking.

Exquisite Corpse is a unique read. The glimpses of these pioneering women were tragic and profound. The writing is the musical accompaniment to these vibrant women’s stories. Women who shone in a time that did not allow them to do so - without consequences. I commend the women who lived the stories Denier tells, that opened the doors blocked by men and time, the women that led the way for future women artists; no matter the cost.

Upon finishing this book, I realised that I was unsatisfied. Not with the book itself but with the stories. I finished reading this book knowing that I would be researching their lives in much greater detail. This book left me wanting more. I highly recommend it.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exquisite Corpse is a series of interconnected vignettes about some of the women in the Surrealist art movement. They were largely overshadowed by the men in their group, and many started off as their lovers, girlfriends, wives and muses. But many were artists in their own rights. They were non-conformists, rebellious, resistance fighters, and they were all less well-known than their male counterparts.
There are examples of their works throughout the novel, and these pieces of art along with their stories, no matter how short, encouraged me to go and look for more information and art.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author for the serialisation. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Almond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book courtesy of Pigeonhole. I have mixed feelings about this book, I loved reading about these interesting and extraordinary women. They are all women that I knew very little about if anything. This just goes to show how much we hear about their male counterparts and how little we hear of these women as equals.
Here we are given fragmented glimpses into these women’s lives, yet I want so much more. Each women deserves a whole book in her own individual right. If this book has done anything it has made me want to go and research some of these women for myself. For this reason, I am very grateful to the author Maryam Diener for making me aware of these fascinating women. Thanks also to Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this book.

[Heidi Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exquisite Corpse by Maryam Diener
4⭐️

“It felt like a hurricane had swept over Highgate, London, the world. They were isolated in the eye of the storm, staring at each other.”

I adored the way this book was written, the most stunning writing style.
The in-depth background information on Leonora and her family, helped me as a reader to understand her rebellion and why she is the way she is, which was an important aspect over the course of the story.

Reading this felt tragic, Leonora seems so strong and independent, yet so alone and depressed.
The added storylines from the other characters did well to bring the plots together, and give me a real artistic, sensual feel