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Edouard and Emily
The Muse of Edouard Manet
Edouard Manet is an infamous painter in 19th century Paris. Emily Porterfield is a conservator of paintings in 21st century Chicago. He made her fall in love with art when she was nine years old and yet Emily was the muse of Edouard's greatest artwork 150 years before she was born. Their story begins with a letter.
While x-raying a painting for an upcoming Edouard Manet exhibition at the Art Institute, Emily stumbles upon a hidden letter painted in lead white beneath the layers of oil and varnish. Through the mysterious properties of the letter, Emily is raptured to the past where she becomes the muse who influences Manet's greatest works. As their relationship grows between each new letter and she discovers that his confusing iconography can finally be explained through their story, an underlying plot of murder and art forgery is uncovered in the present. With the exhibition gala approaching, a connection between the murderer and the forgeries reveals itself and Emily is forced to ask how their love can withstand the test of time when only a few letters remain.
While x-raying a painting for an upcoming Edouard Manet exhibition at the Art Institute, Emily stumbles upon a hidden letter painted in lead white beneath the layers of oil and varnish. Through the mysterious properties of the letter, Emily is raptured to the past where she becomes the muse who influences Manet's greatest works. As their relationship grows between each new letter and she discovers that his confusing iconography can finally be explained through their story, an underlying plot of murder and art forgery is uncovered in the present. With the exhibition gala approaching, a connection between the murderer and the forgeries reveals itself and Emily is forced to ask how their love can withstand the test of time when only a few letters remain.
590 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2010
4 people are currently reading
984 people want to read
About the author
M. Clifford
14 books64 followersM. Clifford was born in 1978 in a suburb of Chicago. He grew up in a forest-encroached neighborhood called Northwoods, where the embers of his imagination were kindled during solitary treks through the wilderness. M. wrote his first book, 'The Bullet That Never Stopped', on his mother's rickety green typewriter at the prudent age of eight and three-quarters. While dating his wife in college, he wrote numerous stories, including novel-length additions to her favorite books, giving those beloved characters new adventures. In 2006, he began his career as an indie author. His debut novel, "The Book", is being taught in high schools as a companion to Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and Orwell's "1984".
His multi-genre collection includes The Muse of Edouard Manet, The Book, Felinian, Fertile Crescent, Propaganda, The Dracula Index, and #WhoIsLerosy.
M. Clifford lives by the beach in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
Website - http://www.mclifford.pub
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/m.clifford.au...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MCliffordAuthor
Zazzle -
http://www.zazzle.com/mcliffordauthor
His multi-genre collection includes The Muse of Edouard Manet, The Book, Felinian, Fertile Crescent, Propaganda, The Dracula Index, and #WhoIsLerosy.
M. Clifford lives by the beach in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
Website - http://www.mclifford.pub
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/m.clifford.au...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MCliffordAuthor
Zazzle -
http://www.zazzle.com/mcliffordauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 9, 2018
An engaging and interesting premise and a well-told story. One of intrigue, art, mystery and love. Although not without some editing flaws, this book is captivating.
I'm now interested in knowing more about Manet and his art. Throughout the book, I googled the paintings to see them.
I'll be looking for the second book when it comes out. I want to know how the story continues and what becomes of the characters.
I'm now interested in knowing more about Manet and his art. Throughout the book, I googled the paintings to see them.
I'll be looking for the second book when it comes out. I want to know how the story continues and what becomes of the characters.
April 16, 2011
I was torn by this book. I really enjoyed the storytelling, the story was fascinating and well-plotted, with many interesting details of Manet's life and work. I was particularly interested in the iconography and Garrett's puzzle-solving (for lack of a better word). The characters of Emily, Garrett and Edouard Manet were well-drawn. However, I think the book needed some heavy editing. Many of the descriptive passages were marked by awkward, sometimes nonsensical metaphors and imagery and proofreading seemed to be limited to what spellcheck caught. I hope if he continues The Time Chronicles series, that Mr. Clifford finds a good editor to help marry his excellent storytelling skills with some better writing.
October 19, 2011
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. It's rare that you find one of those special books that just stays with you. A book that gets right into your heart and makes a home for itself. A story that you dream about each night after reading and characters you find yourself believing are real friends you know and love. The Muse of Edouard Manet is one of those rare, books we readers long to find. It is tender and romantic and thrilling and exciting. There is adventure and action; intrigue and suspense. The characters are deep and evolved. It makes me sad to realize that they're not in the "real" world. I know them so intimately. How could they not be real? I've loved with them and laughed with them, been scared with them and fought with them. I have never been more satisfied with a book.
The premise to the story is fantastic in and of itself. Emily Porterfield, a young woman of about 30 years, works in the Paintings Conservation Department at the Art Institute in Chicago. Her main job is to x-ray paintings. As she's performing her job in preparation for an exhibit of Edouard Manet's paintings, she discovers a letter painted beneath the layers of paint on one of his pieces. It's mysterious and she doesn't know what to make of it, but the mystery has only just begun. That night she falls and is knocked unconscious. While she is out, she finds herself transported back to Paris in the 1860's, where she meets none other than Manet himself as a young man. As she continues to find more letters beneath the paintings during her days at the museum, her nights are filled with trips to see the young artist. They form a relationship that's forged beyond the bounds of time. One that will sweep you away and make you long for it to happen to you.
My favorite character, Garrett Keller, lives in Emily's current day life. He works at the museum on a fellowship and becomes Emily's confidant regarding her nighttime time travel adventures. Garrett's keen sense of logic and understanding of art and history make him the perfect helper for her, because Emily needs to decipher Manet's strange iconography within his paintings as well. Garrett is sarcastic and messy; always unshaven with desk drawers full of crazy scribblings and cans of Hawaiian punch -- just my type. But he's also highly intelligent, inventive, sneaky and has a load of common sense. He's one of my favorite characters of all time. Something about him is just magnetic and sexy as hell.
As the story progresses, we are given doses of things like art theft, forgery, murder, chases, fires and even a 19th century duel. The amazing thing about this book is that almost every aspect of this novel is based in fact. Obviously there's no time travel and the characters themselves are fictitious, but all of the information about Manet and art and the locations and the things that happened in Manet's life, etc. are all real. You can tell when you're reading this that the author (M. Clifford) really did his research. Every page is dripping with authenticity. For me, that is a rare occurrence and something that makes reading so much more enjoyable.
I give this book my HIGHEST recommendation. I believe this book is versatile enough that every single reader could find something in it that resonates with them personally and a reason why they love it. I know I will treasure this book forever and that I will re-read it many, many times in my future. I actually can't wait to start again soon. I already miss my friends and want to be back in their world.
The premise to the story is fantastic in and of itself. Emily Porterfield, a young woman of about 30 years, works in the Paintings Conservation Department at the Art Institute in Chicago. Her main job is to x-ray paintings. As she's performing her job in preparation for an exhibit of Edouard Manet's paintings, she discovers a letter painted beneath the layers of paint on one of his pieces. It's mysterious and she doesn't know what to make of it, but the mystery has only just begun. That night she falls and is knocked unconscious. While she is out, she finds herself transported back to Paris in the 1860's, where she meets none other than Manet himself as a young man. As she continues to find more letters beneath the paintings during her days at the museum, her nights are filled with trips to see the young artist. They form a relationship that's forged beyond the bounds of time. One that will sweep you away and make you long for it to happen to you.
My favorite character, Garrett Keller, lives in Emily's current day life. He works at the museum on a fellowship and becomes Emily's confidant regarding her nighttime time travel adventures. Garrett's keen sense of logic and understanding of art and history make him the perfect helper for her, because Emily needs to decipher Manet's strange iconography within his paintings as well. Garrett is sarcastic and messy; always unshaven with desk drawers full of crazy scribblings and cans of Hawaiian punch -- just my type. But he's also highly intelligent, inventive, sneaky and has a load of common sense. He's one of my favorite characters of all time. Something about him is just magnetic and sexy as hell.
As the story progresses, we are given doses of things like art theft, forgery, murder, chases, fires and even a 19th century duel. The amazing thing about this book is that almost every aspect of this novel is based in fact. Obviously there's no time travel and the characters themselves are fictitious, but all of the information about Manet and art and the locations and the things that happened in Manet's life, etc. are all real. You can tell when you're reading this that the author (M. Clifford) really did his research. Every page is dripping with authenticity. For me, that is a rare occurrence and something that makes reading so much more enjoyable.
I give this book my HIGHEST recommendation. I believe this book is versatile enough that every single reader could find something in it that resonates with them personally and a reason why they love it. I know I will treasure this book forever and that I will re-read it many, many times in my future. I actually can't wait to start again soon. I already miss my friends and want to be back in their world.
May 26, 2014
I had been looking forward to reading The Muse of Edouard Manet for a while. The plot sounded so interesting, a woman travels back in time and falls in love with a painter. Unfortunately the author apparently decided to write and publish this book without an editor. And that wasn't a great idea. The dialog isn't so good and the lovestory between Edouard and Emily is so cheesy that it's actually cringeworthy to read the book. Or perhaps I'm really picky when it comes to romance...
The only redeeming part is Edouard Manet himself. I had never heard of him and it was my curiosity about the man that kept me going. Also the kindle edition provided images of his paintings, so I didn't have to google them, that was great.
The only redeeming part is Edouard Manet himself. I had never heard of him and it was my curiosity about the man that kept me going. Also the kindle edition provided images of his paintings, so I didn't have to google them, that was great.
January 13, 2011
I found this book difficult to rate... while I loved the concept and the story telling, the editing was poor and the dialogue was akward.
January 7, 2011
Loved loved loved this book!! Cannot wait to read the sequel!!
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September 30, 2015Review copied from www.amazon.com with the permission of the reviewer, Carol Sutton:
M. Clifford's The Muse of Edouard Manet is unique among books on Manet. Clifford has very successfully woven a fictional tapestry, that is part love story, part playful yet accurate art history account, and part intriguing crime mystery. This absorbing book has brought to life the character of the man who was Manet. Manet is often credited with capturing 'modern life', and Clifford's book brings a completely new twist to that concept. The beginning of each chapter is place and time dated making it easy to know if you are in 21st century Chicago or in 19th century Paris.
A young museum conservator, Emily Porterfield, finds letters beneath the paint when x-raying Manet's paintings and is fated to fall in love with Manet. Upon falling asleep, Emily time travels back to 19th century Paris and becomes Manet's muse. Their common search for beauty is what links this muse to her artist.
As she is transported back in time, she slowly manifests into solid form. Here is an excerpt (page 205) from when she appears, dressed in her modern jeans, in a Paris fruit market:
"...C'est un scandale," one of the women said, in a haughty French tone. In the sweet tang of fresh pears, Emily looked down at her hands. They were still invisible. "Il est idiot, ce Manet", another woman said, to Emily's alarm."
Much of the book deals with the hidden iconography in Manet's paintings. Emily's loyal friend, Garrett, helps her make detailed analyses into the enigmatic details within each painting and explains why they are there and what those details actually mean. Together they delve into each painting's mystery, for example the psychological 'modern' detachment in paintings such as Bar at the Follies Bergere. Emily's last time trip is on October 27, 1873, just in time for the masked ball at the Opera. The last chapters bubble up with fast action in sword fights and fires, but are filled also with tales of art forgery and riddles. Reading M. Clifford's novel on Manet is a chance to enter into the footsteps of time and be delightfully absorbed.
M. Clifford's The Muse of Edouard Manet is unique among books on Manet. Clifford has very successfully woven a fictional tapestry, that is part love story, part playful yet accurate art history account, and part intriguing crime mystery. This absorbing book has brought to life the character of the man who was Manet. Manet is often credited with capturing 'modern life', and Clifford's book brings a completely new twist to that concept. The beginning of each chapter is place and time dated making it easy to know if you are in 21st century Chicago or in 19th century Paris.
A young museum conservator, Emily Porterfield, finds letters beneath the paint when x-raying Manet's paintings and is fated to fall in love with Manet. Upon falling asleep, Emily time travels back to 19th century Paris and becomes Manet's muse. Their common search for beauty is what links this muse to her artist.
As she is transported back in time, she slowly manifests into solid form. Here is an excerpt (page 205) from when she appears, dressed in her modern jeans, in a Paris fruit market:
"...C'est un scandale," one of the women said, in a haughty French tone. In the sweet tang of fresh pears, Emily looked down at her hands. They were still invisible. "Il est idiot, ce Manet", another woman said, to Emily's alarm."
Much of the book deals with the hidden iconography in Manet's paintings. Emily's loyal friend, Garrett, helps her make detailed analyses into the enigmatic details within each painting and explains why they are there and what those details actually mean. Together they delve into each painting's mystery, for example the psychological 'modern' detachment in paintings such as Bar at the Follies Bergere. Emily's last time trip is on October 27, 1873, just in time for the masked ball at the Opera. The last chapters bubble up with fast action in sword fights and fires, but are filled also with tales of art forgery and riddles. Reading M. Clifford's novel on Manet is a chance to enter into the footsteps of time and be delightfully absorbed.
May 6, 2012
One of the great things about Twitter is meeting new book lovers, publishers, editors and authors. One such author I became acquainted with through Twitter is M. Clifford, the author of the wonderful book THE MUSE OF EDOUARD MANET. Reading the synopsis of the book I knew it would be something I would be interested in as it deals with art, mystery, murder and time-travel. Yes, time-travel, how cool is that! Little did I realize when ordering the book from my favorite Indy bookseller how much I would love this book. Once I read the Note From The Author and moved on I knew this was a book that would grab me and not let go until I turned the last page. Not only is it a great story of romance and intrigue, it provides information about an important artist who helped usher in the age of impressionism, Edouard Manet. This is a work of fiction, but it does provide us with information regarding the artist's life, his friends, his family and how he was received in the 19th century Paris art world. THE MUSE OF EDOUARD MANET also imparts interesting interpretations of the paintings of Manet, which lead me to look up the artists work and view it with different eyes. You become fond of Emily who is an art conservator at the Art Institute who discovers letters under Manet's paintings. These letters lead Emily to experience the art at it's source. Early in the book you are introduced to what you may think is a minor character, Garrett, but he becomes the agent that assists Emily in her time-travel where she meets the artist Manet and becomes his Muse. This is a story of intrigue, love, friendship, art and time-travel. What more could you possibly want. Do yourself a favor, pick up THE MUSE OF EDOUARD MANET and lose yourself in a wonderful story.
May 15, 2012
I never thought that I would be the sort of person interested in Art History. I love literature, I love symbolism but never was able to translate this to a love for art. But this book has really opened my eyes to a whole new culture that I may very well fall in love with. The author effortlessly weaves fact with fiction (and mind you, the fiction is very sci fi...time travel and manipulation) and makes you want to delve deeper into fact to learn more about Manet. I actually did google all of his artwork during the book and all of the iconography that the author is able to connect to his own story is actually there! Its amazing how closely everything is intertwined, and is so well written that if you're not careful, you'll begin to believe that the story could very well be true because of how well things are explained. The author obviously put a LOT of work and research into the story.
I wasnt a huge fan of some of present day elements...specifically the 'secret' that they go on about. I wasnt a fan of how it was executed, and dont think it was necessary to the plot as a whole, but I think that without that, the story could have possibly been a bit flat.
Overall, the book was well written, I enjoyed it a lot and may have discovered a newfound passion for Manet! I definitely am interested in reading more about this artist and his life as whole.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I can easily see this book being made into a movie. AND the book is available as an Amazon Prime eligible book for anyone who might want to borrow it.
I wasnt a huge fan of some of present day elements...specifically the 'secret' that they go on about. I wasnt a fan of how it was executed, and dont think it was necessary to the plot as a whole, but I think that without that, the story could have possibly been a bit flat.
Overall, the book was well written, I enjoyed it a lot and may have discovered a newfound passion for Manet! I definitely am interested in reading more about this artist and his life as whole.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I can easily see this book being made into a movie. AND the book is available as an Amazon Prime eligible book for anyone who might want to borrow it.
Read
January 21, 2013A masterpiece! This book is so brilliant I couldn't put it down. I've never read a historical fiction/time travel novel quite like this one. I was completely blown away by the sense everything made and I kept thinking, 'this could SO be true!' I used the author's website for the series (http://www.m-clifford.com/muse_of_man...) to view the paintings described in the book (which were so perfectly descriptive I almost didn't even need the actual visual proof).
I loved the iconography that Garrett discovers and, like a puzzle, all the pieces just fit perfectly together. Edouard was depicted as incredibly romantic and Emily was a perfect fit for him. The ending blew me away and I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. I wish I knew when I could expect it!
I loved the iconography that Garrett discovers and, like a puzzle, all the pieces just fit perfectly together. Edouard was depicted as incredibly romantic and Emily was a perfect fit for him. The ending blew me away and I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. I wish I knew when I could expect it!
August 19, 2010
This novel truly had it all! One book managed to satisfy my love of reading adventure, mystery, fantasy, and love stories. I always crave books that can wrap me up in their pages so that I never want to put it down, and The Muse of Edouard Manet had me completely absorbed in its pages until the very end. M. Clifford created an intriguing story to explain the mysterious symbolism used in Manet paintings. His main charachter, Emily, goes back to the 1860's and becomes deeply entangled in Manet's life, art, and heart. I love how M. Clifford meshes fact with his gloriously imaginative storytelling in such a way that I want to believe that it is the truth. I highly recommend reading this novel! I look forward to reading moree in this series, as well as more by this author.
January 13, 2011
When is the last time you read a book that you didn’t want to end? A book that you couldn’t put down, one that took you on a journey? The Muse of Edouard Manet was that book for me. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. I only stopped reading long enough to look up Manet’s paintings. It has all my favorite things: mystery, romance, artists, Museums, puzzles, time travel, Paris in the company of the Impressionists, writers, combined with a touch of danger and some heart pumping action. It’s a great mix of fact and fantasy. Well executed and well researched. Please someone make this a movie!
June 10, 2012
wow, this book was even better than i had hoped! it had every element of a great story and my only complaint was that it had to end! seriously, all i can say is read this book! i'm not even into art but i still loved this book and found a new appreciation of art through it. i found myself unable to put it down today as i greedily read page after page speeding towards the end, both excited and saddened that i was almost finished. truly an amazing book that i only wish more people would find and read!
January 16, 2011
I wasn't really expecting to like this book, yet alone to love it, but I found myself completely entranced by the story of Edouard and Emily, and I think I fell in love with both of them a little bit myself. This genre-crossing novel encompasses historical fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, and homage to an artist, tying it all together with a riveting love story.
So glad my book group selected this. I hope the series continues soon.
So glad my book group selected this. I hope the series continues soon.
October 13, 2011
Wow! I LOVED this book! Time travel, a mystery, clean romance, and art. It made a good combination. The attention to detail and the creativity and imagination of the author with putting this all together is very impressive. I couldn't help but turning on my laptop to view Manet's paintings online when they talked about each.
May 12, 2011
Awesome!!! Absolutely loved this book. Had just the right amount of fiction mixed in with the history. It all looked completely possible. Will have to look for the next Emily Porterfield adventure. Thanks, Mr. Clifford
August 2, 2010
Definitely an enjoyable read.
May 18, 2025
Time travel meet art history! Great concept but the first 1/3 of this story was a slow read for me. It took me a bit to understand the concept the author was trying to convey as well as understand the characters he was introducing. Once I got past that, the story took on a life of it's own and was very enjoyable.
September 4, 2017
Emily is able to travel to the time of Edouard Manet ... and back.
September 23, 2014
Featured in a "Reading on a Theme: Art and Artists" on Intellectual Recreation.
I had M. Clifford's The Muse of Edouard Manet on my radar for quite some time. How could I not? It features great paintings and time travel. After Dena gave it 5-stars I decided it was time to plunge in.
Emily Porterfield works in the conservation department at the Art Institute in Chicago. While preparing paintings for a Manet exhibition, she discovers a note behind the painted surface of one of Manet's works. The notes then sends her back in time to 19th-century Paris where she meets Edouard Manet.
Clifford's fictional interpretations of Manet's paintings are fabulous! He obviously looked very closely at Manet's works. The details in the paintings that he included in the novel really made it worth reading. The full circle created by The Bar at the Folies Bergere is pretty swell also.
What I didn't like so much: Emily. I just expect a woman who is working at one of the premier art establishments in the world to be a little brighter. Garrett (who is a great character) puts all the intellectual pieces of the puzzle together while Emily is swooning over how dreamy Edouard is. Also, Edouard is very fictionalized, but I can get over that because it is a novel.
The book really picks up steam as it nears the conclusion. I was quite pleased with the twist at the end. I'm definitely interested in reading the sequel The Opera Ghost The Time Chronicles of Emily Porterfield 2 that features Degas as villain.
June 26, 2010
A conservationist at The Art Institute of Chicago, Emily Porterfield has always been attracted to the works of pre-Impressionist painter Eduoard Manet. When a Manet exhibit is scheduled to display at the Art Institute, Emily x-ray's one of the paintings and discovers a hidden letter written in lead white paint beneath the artist's scene. The discovery could change her career, but her life is even more drastically altered when, upon falling asleep after reading the letter, she is mystically transported to Paris in the 1870's and meets the artist himself.
Swept up in the amazing impossibility of time travel while dreaming, Emily finds herself getting to know, and falling in love with, the man whose work she would adore a hundred fifty years in the future. However, in the present, she faces the discovery of three "new" Manet paintings, seemingly lost during World War II. Whether the paintings are real or forged is a secret that someone might just be willing to kill to keep.
M. Clifford's work is a stunning blend of genres - science fiction and history, romance and mystery. The details of Edouard Manet's life and work are as intricate and precise as the expertly researched descriptions of modern day art authentication and preservation. Sweetly romantic, action-driven, emotional, with a mix of information, humor and suspense, The Muse of Edouard Manet is a literary work of art!
The book tells a succinct story with a satisfying conclusion, but with writing this vivid and characters so enjoyable, readers will be eager for the soon to be released second and third books in The Time Chronicles of Emily Porterfield!
Swept up in the amazing impossibility of time travel while dreaming, Emily finds herself getting to know, and falling in love with, the man whose work she would adore a hundred fifty years in the future. However, in the present, she faces the discovery of three "new" Manet paintings, seemingly lost during World War II. Whether the paintings are real or forged is a secret that someone might just be willing to kill to keep.
M. Clifford's work is a stunning blend of genres - science fiction and history, romance and mystery. The details of Edouard Manet's life and work are as intricate and precise as the expertly researched descriptions of modern day art authentication and preservation. Sweetly romantic, action-driven, emotional, with a mix of information, humor and suspense, The Muse of Edouard Manet is a literary work of art!
The book tells a succinct story with a satisfying conclusion, but with writing this vivid and characters so enjoyable, readers will be eager for the soon to be released second and third books in The Time Chronicles of Emily Porterfield!
May 21, 2012
Oh my goodness, I couldn't get enough of this book! Everything about it was perfect - the intelligent plot line mixed with easy to read writing meant I could get through the book as quickly as I wanted to.
I know nothing about art, and found myself googling his paintings in order to appreciate the stories surrounding them. I loved how the two worlds were connected and how their relationship developed. I also loved how when I thought that was it, there was even more excitement!
By the end of the book I felt myself believing that this was true - everything about the book made sense - even the time travel. It just all fit so wonderfully and I struggled to remind myself that it was just fiction. there is no such thing as time travel.
I have recommended this book to all my friends and was so thrilled when I saw there was another book about Emily. Let's hope that one is as good as this!
I know nothing about art, and found myself googling his paintings in order to appreciate the stories surrounding them. I loved how the two worlds were connected and how their relationship developed. I also loved how when I thought that was it, there was even more excitement!
By the end of the book I felt myself believing that this was true - everything about the book made sense - even the time travel. It just all fit so wonderfully and I struggled to remind myself that it was just fiction. there is no such thing as time travel.
I have recommended this book to all my friends and was so thrilled when I saw there was another book about Emily. Let's hope that one is as good as this!
July 13, 2012
Ooh! I so very much enjoyed this book!
I actually finished this book a few days ago, and have since been winding and unwinding my thoughts about time travel, paradoxes and jinns. If I had previously thought that these concepts were dangerously over my head, I would have been proven wrong. Clifford has created Garrett, the ideal character for explaining the most complicated hypotheses. Not only were his characters intelligent, witty and playful, but he did a surprisingly great job writing a woman (no offense to most other male authors intended).
Part mystery, sci-fi, and historical fiction, it is a perfect combination of all my favourite genres. Highly recommend!
4.5 stars
Only after finishing this book did I discover that it has, in fact, a sequel. What's the fastest way I can get my hands on it?!
I actually finished this book a few days ago, and have since been winding and unwinding my thoughts about time travel, paradoxes and jinns. If I had previously thought that these concepts were dangerously over my head, I would have been proven wrong. Clifford has created Garrett, the ideal character for explaining the most complicated hypotheses. Not only were his characters intelligent, witty and playful, but he did a surprisingly great job writing a woman (no offense to most other male authors intended).
Part mystery, sci-fi, and historical fiction, it is a perfect combination of all my favourite genres. Highly recommend!
4.5 stars
Only after finishing this book did I discover that it has, in fact, a sequel. What's the fastest way I can get my hands on it?!
July 23, 2012
If you enjoy art and reading about Paris in the 1800s you will love this book. I read it on my Kindle Fire so whenever a painting was mentioned you could click on it and it would bring you to a colored picture of the original. That came in handy. This book has everything in it complete with time travel, a murder mystery, attempted murder, and a very sweet romance. Definitely worth the read!
P.S. I was living in Chicagoland when the book was supposedly taking place in 2006 and I laughed at the part where they were competing with the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum. We visited the Field Museum while it was on exhibit so while reading I felt like I was there because I was familiar with the surroundings and museums at the same time it was written.
P.S. I was living in Chicagoland when the book was supposedly taking place in 2006 and I laughed at the part where they were competing with the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum. We visited the Field Museum while it was on exhibit so while reading I felt like I was there because I was familiar with the surroundings and museums at the same time it was written.
October 26, 2012
This book was very uneven and badly in need of an editor. It was about 100 pages too long; but the premise was amazing (woman travels back in time to become Edouard Manet's muse) and unique. I loved looking each of the paintings up on the internet as they were mentioned, and I was dazzled by the author's ability to take the minutiae of paintings that were 150 years old and build the story backwards from them. Regarding the editing - there were entire words and phrases missing, words that were incorrect in the context of the sentence (passed spellcheck but not grammarcheck). I don't know how many printings there might be, if indeed there were more than one, but I hope those errors were corrected because they took me right out of the story and into analysis mode - what SHOULD be there?
March 1, 2012
I feel so lucky to have stumbled across this gem. I can't even remember what I was looking for when I discovered this book, but something about it made me instantly purchase it. It just seemed like it had something special. It did.
I absolutely loved this story. Everything about it. The art, the history, the murder mystery.
I think the best thing about this book was that I was honestly able to trick my mind into believing that it was real. It was so well written and made so much sense that I almost believed that a woman named Emily traveled backwards in time and inspired Edouard's paintings.
I really think everyone should give this book a chance. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.
I absolutely loved this story. Everything about it. The art, the history, the murder mystery.
I think the best thing about this book was that I was honestly able to trick my mind into believing that it was real. It was so well written and made so much sense that I almost believed that a woman named Emily traveled backwards in time and inspired Edouard's paintings.
I really think everyone should give this book a chance. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.
September 29, 2012
Emily Porterfield is an art conservationist at a Chicago museum preparing for an exhibition of Edouard Manet's work. When she finds a hidden letter from Manet, she finds herself transported back in time to meet the man himself.
The plot of this book kept me well-entertained and satisfyingly sleep-deprived (as usual). The in-depth analysis of the artist's work as defined by the storyline was so fun and really well done. My complaints have mainly to do with Emily. She's slightly vapid and swoony (yep, I'm making up words as I go) for someone as educated as she is written to be. As others have said, it bothered me that Garrett was the one to figure EVERYTHING out. And also, this book needed an editor.
The plot of this book kept me well-entertained and satisfyingly sleep-deprived (as usual). The in-depth analysis of the artist's work as defined by the storyline was so fun and really well done. My complaints have mainly to do with Emily. She's slightly vapid and swoony (yep, I'm making up words as I go) for someone as educated as she is written to be. As others have said, it bothered me that Garrett was the one to figure EVERYTHING out. And also, this book needed an editor.
December 31, 2010
I enjoyed this time travelling, art inspiring love story with a mystery - and also enjoy how many genres it incorporates!
The story was engaging; I loved the way the art was described and found myself running to google the pictures so I could see them. Manet's character is incredibly sympathetic, and I was pulling for this impossible love as I followed Emily through the letters. The mystery wasn't fully played out, but it's what sets up the story for the next installment, which I will definitely be picking up! I'm very interested to read more about Garrett and Jonathan, and to see how those characters develop.
The story was engaging; I loved the way the art was described and found myself running to google the pictures so I could see them. Manet's character is incredibly sympathetic, and I was pulling for this impossible love as I followed Emily through the letters. The mystery wasn't fully played out, but it's what sets up the story for the next installment, which I will definitely be picking up! I'm very interested to read more about Garrett and Jonathan, and to see how those characters develop.
November 26, 2012
Some books you have to make time to read and others swallow you whole and have you putting off till tomorrow nearly everything else so you can keep READING! This was the latter type of book for me. Maybe I wanted to have fantastic dreams of my own or read about Chicago while I am away. I think it had just the right part wackiness (a highly underrated quality), Chicago charm, art history/appreciation, suspense, and romantic aspects.
May you find a fun book like this to whisk you away from reality sometime soon!
May you find a fun book like this to whisk you away from reality sometime soon!
October 18, 2012
M. Clifford has done a wonderful job of weaving historical facts with fiction. He has written a believable heartwarming love story between artist Edouard Manet and Emily Porterfield, an art conservator, whose lifetimes are separated by 150 years.
After a head injury Emily is transported in a dream state to physically manifest during Manets' lifetime to become his muse. Intrigue and suspense develop around Mantes' paintings in Emily's lifetime and the mystery begins.
I really loved Garrett and can't wait for the next story of The Time Chronicles of Emily Porterfield.
After a head injury Emily is transported in a dream state to physically manifest during Manets' lifetime to become his muse. Intrigue and suspense develop around Mantes' paintings in Emily's lifetime and the mystery begins.
I really loved Garrett and can't wait for the next story of The Time Chronicles of Emily Porterfield.
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