My Thoughts
Still Life by Sarah Winman is such a beautifully woven novel, capturing the essence of time passing, painting, love, and friendship. The novel is taken on a journey through war-torn Italy and post-war London, and through it, unveils the glory of human bonds. Winman’s writing is poetic, rich, and immersive, and therefore, makes for such an enjoyable read for readers of literature. The characters, to me, were wonderfully developed, and the plot struck such powerful chords on resilience and in different forms of love.
Summary of still life
The novel begins in 1944, where Ulysses Temper, who is a soldier, meets Evelyn Skinner, who is an old art historian, in Tuscany. The meeting, though brief and powerful, influences Ulysses’ life in ways unknown to him. He returns to London following the war, only to feel compelled to re-visit Italy, where he settles and leads a new life surrounded by friends. Still Life, through time, observes the interactions between such characters, their struggles, and how culture and artwork influence their life.
Pacing
The pacing is regular in Still Life, relieved by introspective and lyrical writing, and may feel slow to readers. The slow pace is made up for by the depth of the storytelling. The novel leaves readers time to immerse in Florence and to feel and interpret the characters’ emotional nuances. If readers have time to spare for stories to unfold, they will fall under Still Life’s enchantment.
Characters
Ulysses Temper – The protagonist of the novel, Ulysses is a soft and introspective person who is emotionally connected to Italy and to the people around him. The novel portrays his transformation, having traversed life as a soldier to becoming a thoughtful person living life to the extreme.
Evelyn Skinner – An independent and astute art historian, Evelyn lends an intellectual and philosophical layer to the tale. Her affection for Florence and for painting makes for a strong and enduring character.
Alys – Ulysses’ stepdaughter, Alys, is representative of beginnings and hope. Her personal growth is poignant and deep.
Cressy – The charming, quirky member who brings humour and warmth in to the story.
There is a unique voice for each of them, and their interactions create a wide, emotional landscape in Still Life, an irresistible read.
Writing Style of
Sarah Winman’s writing is poetic and descriptive, and there is strong imagery of place. Florence is brought to life by descriptions of food, culture, and paintings. The dialogue is sharp, and writing style is virtually poetic in rhythm. The novel is filled to the brim with philosophical insights on love, loss, and destiny, and these provide depth to the novel. The ability to blend humour, sadness, and beauty on the same pages is simply marvelous.
Themes
Love and Friendship – In the end, Still Life is a story of love—not romantic, but also in families and friendships of choice. The characters’ interactions are warm and authentic.
Art and Culture – The novel is an ode to Florence, literature, and painting, and their impact on mankind’s emotions and behavior.
Destiny and Destiny – The concept of our life being influenced by serendipitous meetings and our decisions is beautifully woven through the novel.
Resilience and Second Chances – The characters do have their struggles, but always seem to bounce back and push forward to have a successful life.
Rating
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – An emotionally powerful and skillful tale.
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – The characters are beautifully developed and memorable.
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Gorgeous, poetic, and transporting writing, evoking world and characters in life.
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – The pace is slow in parts, but the wealth of the story makes up for it.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Absolutely phenomenal and poignant novel that stays in your mind for ages afterwards.
About the Author
British author and actress Sarah Winman is recognized for writing lyrical and emotionally nuanced stories. She achieved extensive acclaim for When God Was a Rabbit and, in subsequent years, for Tin Man. Still Life demonstrates her skill in writing intricately connected, truly human stories. Love, artwork, and identity are recurring motifs in her novels, and thus, readers tend to remember them and identify with them.
Final Thoughts
Still Life is a novel to hold dear for its gratitude for life, painting, and mankind. An inspiring and poignant novel to read, historical and literary readers everywhere will fall in love. The writing by author Sarah Winman is simply gorgeous, and readers who take delight in fully fleshed characters and atmospheric settings will have to read Still Life. If you’re someone who enjoys feeling something in what you’re reading, Still Life is a novel to read.