All We Know of Love

by Katie Schneider

Jo Shepherd grew up on a farm in the Pacific Northwest under the loving care of her grandfather, Frank. After spending months nursing him through his final painful illness, Jo receives a vision of the Virgin Mary, who sends her to Italy to live out her dream of becoming an artist. In doing so, Jo must leave behind her home and her best friend Jack, and risk losing him forever.
In Florence, Jo’s intense artistic visions begin to find fruition, but her odyssey is complicated when she meets Chad and Walter, two extraordinary young men. By day, Jo paints–women in a marketplace, the view of the Arno from the Piazzale Michelangelo. At night, both Chad and Walter vie for her attention. As the lives of these three friends become more deeply entwined, the revelation of painful secrets threatens to destroy their delicate balance.
It isn’t until Jo returns home that she begins to face up to the legacy of her time in Italy, her very real grief for the grandfather she lost, and the prospect of a future with or without Jack.

Genres: Fiction, Italy, Adult Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of growth, grief, art, and adulthood. I was intrigued by the thread of faith and the Saints that was woven in - sometimes I felt like it should assert itself a bit more, but ultimately I was happy that it was just assumed that she had a spiritual life.

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about a number of artists, and one in particular, who goes to Italy because of a vision. The book takes us from Italy to New York, and then back to the Pacific Northwest. Fascinating and wonderful story. Very different from the books I normally read, but very gripping and believable.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lovely surprise. I borrowed it from the lending room at work just to have something to read on the bus. It was a very fast read, and a very good study of how we become who we manage to be, how we continue to evolve, how life catches up with us. Highly recommended for all who've experienced the rites of passage life throws our way.

[Lisa Bisbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quietly gets you interested and then steals a summer afternoon. Delightful

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this "coming of age" (which age? a young woman in her twenties, and reflecting backwards toward childhood) story. The writing is lyrical and enjoyable in itself. The protaganist is comfortably religious - she speaks equally and comfortably of God and of sex and of art, as they are refracted in the memory lens of youthful experience. The story stretches between in Florence, Italy and Eastern Washington. We experience what it might be like to be a girl and a woman from a small town in the Pacific Northwest as her mind is blown open by the culture of Florence. We watch the protaganist discover herself as an artist and as a independent adult. Hearts break... and in breaking find love. Completely enjoyable.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book every couple of years, for the past 20 years.

[Genevieve L · Rating 5 out of 5]

lmao made me cry in the employee lounge at work <3

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing in this quiet steady book keeps me absorbed. Her description of the Sistene chapel is, for one who has never been there, one of the most breathtaking I have ever come across. The book is worth the read just for this one page of beauty! However, upon completion I conclude that it is a rather strange story. It feels as if it was not fleshed out enough, that the characters and events did not always feel full... not that they were false but that they fell short somehow.

Perhaps I am getting too old to see her Florence experiences with her apparent innocence... She seemed just too too naive... but then I grew up in a big city with all kinds of influences near and far.... her experiences and her art ... there was something about the book that just did not flow well... maybe if she carried the richness of writing about the Sistene Chapel throughout her Florence experience...

but then, it is her first book and could I actually do better? Haven't done so, so it's hard to argue her writing down. It was still quality and parts of it were striking, one part stunning.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the jacket of this book, I thought it may be a bit over the top with the Virgin Mary sending Jo to Italy, but I gave it a chance. It wasn't a bad story. I especially liked her relationship with her grandfather. I didn't think there was enough development with Jack and the ending was horrible. I do like happy endings, but she should at least see Jack before the book ends! For someone who lets the Virgin Mary lead her, Jo certainly did get over her head in Italy. She not only loses her virginity to a jerk, but gets pregnant by him and loses the baby. The part of her life that she says the Virgin Mary guided her turned out pretty crappy. That doesn't speak well for the Virgin Mary!

I just read this book again. I was halfway through it when I realized I already read it and didn't like it!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not badly written, and it's clear that the author has a lot of interests, particularly in creativity, art, "home", finding yourself, who you call your family, etc. Unfortunately, she tried to put everything into this one story, and as a result, there's a kind of complicated mess. It's still a decent book, but I just don't think the author accomplished what she was trying to do. There are a lot of slow-moving passages that aren't quite as thought-provoking as they "should" be, and the relationships aren't as touching. The main character is tough to understand, to empathize with. I'll be interested to see if Schneider's following work improves, because I believe she's got some talent. She just tried to put too much in this particular basket.

[Mel Mayberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a person who can't even draw stick people, I've never known how an artist really views the world. From the beautifully vivid descriptions of the Sistene Chapel, to the barn on the family farm, and to the creative process of the artist herself, the author brings to life the elements making up the journey of discovery among an interesting cast of characters.

This novel takes Joanna, the aspiring artist, on a quest to realize her inspiration, her religion and her talent. Along the way, she also discovers the truths regarding deceit, betrayal and love. Set on a farm in Washington, the historic city of Florence, Italy, and the local neighborhoods in New York City, this story encompasses the joy as well as the heartbreak of discovering one's true self.

[Daneen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story of a woman who lost the only family she had and the process she went through to "find herself." This entailed her going to France and New York and the journey ended at home.

Many characters were not developed that I felt should have been. There were side stories that were left incomplete. The author introduces one character as having entered the story in 7th grade, then speaks of the character in grade school. I was "lost" a few times in the story. This type of thing drives me crazy. This is the reason for my 2 stars. I think it was a good story that wasn't written as well as it could have been.

[Carol Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening pages of Katie Schneider's first novel to the final words of love and adoration, I became lost in this story. The characters, the situations and the locales all rang true. I especially liked the unique way she alternated between past tense and present tense, weaving the old with the new, the rich favors of Florence with the solid earthiness of the Pacific northwest. Ms. Schneider has a gift for writing crisp, clean prose that sings. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who has ever followed a dream. For anyone who has ever fallen in love.

[Ric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effective tale told in tenderness prose. Solid in the author's description of art, desire and the way love always heals your heart in the end. It was at first a little confusing as the author moves back and forth in time, but it eventually captures your heart. Perfect to read on a dark February night while the snow slowly falls around your back porch light, and you reminisce and dream of your past love.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would enjoy this book much more than I did, so it was a disappointment. With the combination of subject matter like art and living both abroad and in the Pacific Northwest, I was hoping to identify with it more. But ultimately, I found that not only did I not relate to the protagonist, I grew to be annoyed by her. So, in the end, I just finished the book to finish it and not because I was really driven to.

[The Cute Little Brown-haired girl]

My mother lived across the hall from the author of this book. When it was published, she gave us signed copies. If you are into reading local authors, here's a good one for you about a relationship, how it is somewhat interupted and thwarted, and then salvaged in the end...but not really in the way the characters want or expected.

[Pamk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book - I felt the strong emotions that art and creativity can arouse in people. The author portrayed very powerfully the sense of loss felt by the main character about the death of her grandfather and the love triangle that developed when she was in Italy. I hope that this author continues to write!

[Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touchingly honest account of a young woman (18-25) coming to maturity as a person and as a quirky, self-trained artist. Well told (if occasionally a little overwritten) in alternating chapters between the year she spends in Florence, Italy, and her return to her grandfather's farm in eastern Washington State where she grew up with her best friend and true love.

[Bridget Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and it was just ok. I was hoping something would happen to make it get better but really it was just lackluster. It was nice she finally found herself by the end of the book but I never felt connected to her or bonded with her so I didn't feel over joyed with her the whole time. This is a book you can pass on.

[Natalie Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The female main character in this book goes through a lot in Italy. She reminds me of my friend Jen who is school there now. I like when she and her two man friends go to see the Sistine Chapel. My sisters just got back from Rome and said it was something everyone needs to do in their lifetime.

[Brenna Bonner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me home, to two places I have lived in and loved- the Pacific Northwest and Italy. I wanted the memories and images it brought up in my mind. A very good first novel, with beautiful insights into the mind and soul of a female artist.

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes some of my favorite themes: art, faith, and love. It is about a love left behind, the process of an artist, the actual physical pain of loss, and finding love again. I heart Katie Schneider!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Its about relationships and art, with some traveling thrown in. All things that are fun to read about. I wouldn't say its a fun book, there are some heart wrenching parts, but its a good story.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It skipped around a little too much for me in the beginning, but it was a quick read, and I enjoyed a lot of the writing. And a love story about two people who have been best friends since they were children? Right up my alley. I don't know that I'd pass it along, but I enjoyed reading it.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her images were so vivid, and reading of the places I have visited in Florence and other parts of Italy brought back lots of good memories. Enjoyed the religious foundation and the questions Jo's experiences raised.

[Angelica Taggart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit painful to read. The main character's journey through grief and her discovery of herself were filled with angst.
The story moved back and forth in her life, which was disconcerting at times,and there was no joy.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about a young woman who travels to Italy to become an artist, the people and places she leaves and runs to.

[nimrodiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

See where this book travels next, at: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3...

[Holyhoneybucket · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me, this was very reminiscent of Sylvia Plath's works. It hovered on the verge of being a depressing read.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the setting in Italy. Interesting love triangle (or square?).