The Green Hour: A Novel

by Frederic Tuten

A powerful story that explores the modern dilemma of passion versus tranquillity. Set in Paris and New York, The Green Hour tells the story of Dominique, a brilliant art historian who has recently recovered from a bout with cancer. The novel follows Dominique from her college years to the present, unfolding a moving love story in which Dominique is torn between her passion for the idealistic and seductive Rex, who periodically disappears from her life, and her feelings for Eric, a wealthy American businessman deeply in love with her.

Woven into this romance is the equally gripping tale of Dominique's relationship with art and the cultural turmoils of our time. By portraying a character for whom love and idealism are lost, this novel hauntingly shows us the importance of pursuing both. A Los Angeles Times Best Book of 2002.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Frederic Tuten is the author of Tintin in the New World, The Green Hour, and Self Portraits, among other fiction. He has received a Guggenheim fellowship and an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award for Distinguished Writing. He lives in New York City."

Reviews

[SS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel speaks loudly and clearly to me in ways that, 14 years after reading it for the first time, recall the utter devastation of being disappointed (several times over) by your first love. The melancholy, tenderness, and painful frustration that connect these characters are what make this such a beautiful tableau. I can continuously ask myself why these characters do what they do, going round and round across the decades and borders of countries, but I'm ultimately sympathetic. Love and desire and unhappiness make people do all sorts of things that the stable and the content find foolish. I appreciate that we never fully get to understand any of the characters' motivations or complete life paths, or know their futures; for me, that makes them more real, not less so. And it rings true to how carefully and artfully we lie to ourselves to avoid admitting that we were wrong and merely repeat our mistakes year after year.

[Danine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot summary was promising but it was a no go for me. The story wanted to be sensually complex but fell flat. I thought the characters were trying to be in a parallel version of "Unbearable Lightness of Being" with a touch of Anais Nin's Djuna. The writing was too trite for the story. I was not convinced of the character's realism. The author has some good titles about other art history topics. I'll give those a try.

[Ali Coopersmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite a nonsensical plot- loved this book

[Cindyloo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book quite by mistake. It somehow ended up in my reserved pile at the library, not sure if it was my mistake or the librarians. I found myself unable to identify with the main character's voice, or find her realistic. I could tell this was a book penned by a man, and the notion that the author has misguided insight into a woman's psyche, occurred to me more than once. The story itself is well rounded and has a satisfying ending, but not liking or relating to the main character, made for a mediocre read.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off okay. Then I got irritated, but all in all, there was something there. Certain chapters, certain parts. The main character was such an idiot; it was really hard to see why she picked that doofus for her life-long, cannot forget love!

[Soni · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book. I did like the relationship between the characters but I think you need to be an art lover to really appreciate the main characters thought process and I thought the ending seemed rushed.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written portrayal of a multi-dimensional commitment-averse woman and the several men in her life who each compliment a different side of her personality. Recommended to readers who enjoy literary interior fiction about relationships and the lives of academics.

[Rika Mead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good writing, although I found it difficult to discern why the protagonist stayed with her lover, who was unreliable at best & self-centered in the extreme at worst. I did feel badly for the chap she ended up with, as he also settled for less than he deserved.

[Chrysauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living with and growing beyond obsessive romantic love is depicted in a very real way in this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this because it's about an art historian.

[Joshua Gillard]

Very interesting. A shining glimpse into the life of a young lover's forays. Beautiful and contemplative.