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81st out of 455 books
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348 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Mortal Love
In the Victorian Age, a mysterious and irresistible woman becomes entwined in the lives of several artists, both as a muse and as the object of all-consuming obsession. Radborne Comstock, one of the early twentieth century's most brilliant young painters, is helpless under her dangerous spell.
In modern-day London, journalist Daniel Rowlands meets a beguiling woman who hol
...morePaperback, 384 pages
Published
June 28th 2005
by William Morrow & Company
(first published July 1st 2004)
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I think, based on reviews I read before actually reading this novel, that I came to expect way too much from it. I love how Hand wove the different threads of the story together, but the foray into Fairy at the end seemed too abruptly handled -- it lacked the finesse and grace that seemed present throughout so much of the novel. However, I do see myself coming back to this one for a reread, so it's possible I may change my mind the second time around. Not as good as Possession, but then again, f...more
I loved Waking the Moon and eagerly hope for the same experience with each of Elizabeth Hand's other novels. I never quite get there. She excels at instilling a sense of reaching wistfulness in her readers, the sense that there's so much more to the story than what she's put down on paper, a sense of inaccessible richness to the world she creates.
That's pretty much the whole story here. We've got several different plotlines in several different timelines, each with a man (or men) ...more
That's pretty much the whole story here. We've got several different plotlines in several different timelines, each with a man (or men) ...more
I've also posted this review at my website preraphaelitesisterhood.com
I devoured this book. And I know I will not hesitate to devour it again, its hold over me is that strong. It is a story with many layers and a narrative that switches between time periods. I enjoyed it, realizing early on that the story was told in an artistic, disjointed way that appealed to me. It is unique and yet, like Pre-Raphaelite art, it is not for everyone.
I think Mortal Love can best be described as...more
I devoured this book. And I know I will not hesitate to devour it again, its hold over me is that strong. It is a story with many layers and a narrative that switches between time periods. I enjoyed it, realizing early on that the story was told in an artistic, disjointed way that appealed to me. It is unique and yet, like Pre-Raphaelite art, it is not for everyone.
I think Mortal Love can best be described as...more
This is a highly atmospheric book involving 3 generations of men, all artistically inclined. The theme of the book is a female succubi-like character who acts as muse to all of them. Though not all of the mysteries of the book are ever completely wrapped up, and the author expects you to know things about Pre-Raphaelite art and Celtic Mythology, it's so easy to get swept up into the writing...very immersive.
Disappointing. A lot of people who usually know what's what seem to really like this. I was interested in the bits that took place in the present, but the historical bits (London, the asylum in Cornwall) were confusing and boring - not a good combination.
My biggest complaint was the familiarity. Do I read too many fantasy books? Is that why I wasn't the least bit surprised that the magnetically beautiful girl who destroys her lovers with longing is really an ancient fairy queen? Yawn. ...more
My biggest complaint was the familiarity. Do I read too many fantasy books? Is that why I wasn't the least bit surprised that the magnetically beautiful girl who destroys her lovers with longing is really an ancient fairy queen? Yawn. ...more
Elizabeth Hand always writes in darkly rich prose, and this book was no exception. She also is beyond reproach in describing artists/hipsters, the world of painters/writers/actors/tattoo artists/hippies, etc. At least one of her characters tends to wear something velvet or silver, and the erotic is described in gorgeous writing.
Despite the title, I thought this book was more about the meeting of the faery world vs. humankind, and what results. In describing how different people exper...more
Despite the title, I thought this book was more about the meeting of the faery world vs. humankind, and what results. In describing how different people exper...more
Ashley Long
rated it
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes art, tales of the past, history.
Recommended to Ashley by:
A coworker.
Though I found this book confusing at first, and actually through out most of it, I will say it was very well written and very detailed. I also loved the way it painted pictures in my mind, the words could be likened to colors on a canvas. Overall, I liked it and I plan to reread it at some point.
I won't say much for fear of giving too much away...but I can tell you that this book was mesmerizing--I had trouble putting it down. It essentially tells the story of a woman who serves as a muse to many artists over time. You never really get to know--it's more about the effect she has on people, exploring the link between creativity and madness. I learned a lot about the Pre-Raphaelite movement of the late 19th century--part of the narrative takes place in that time, shifting back to present ...more
Chris
rated it
I'm giving this four stars instead of three because I believe that all the hype I heard about the book led me to except too much from the book. Hand does have a wonderful writing style, and the book does weave three separate stories together very well. The ending, however, seemed a little sudden though I like how everything was entirely and fully explained (if you know your myths and legends, you'll figure it out). Hand did a good job of making Larkin as mysterious for the reader as she was f...more
Mortal Love is the third of Elizabeth Hand’s novels that I have read. Her works blend elements of fairy tales, the supernatural, and Shakespeare, and this work is a story about muse, inspiration and madness.
Though it combines stories from multiple timelines, I did not find this book confusing. However, I will admit that I read it with more attentiveness and analysis than I usually do. I have the impression that Ms. Hand and I disagree about something that I can’t quite put my fin...more
Though it combines stories from multiple timelines, I did not find this book confusing. However, I will admit that I read it with more attentiveness and analysis than I usually do. I have the impression that Ms. Hand and I disagree about something that I can’t quite put my fin...more
As a Fine Arts major, I was easily captivated with its cover of a woman in a Renaissance inspired oil paint effect. Set on a magnificently romantic Victorian era, is an interesting love affair of a young and struggling painter and his muse.
It won my interest in and I enjoyed the way Elizabeth Hand narrated and depicted the paints, the art materials and the process of painting in an incredibly "matter of fact "tone. Through this, it was almost effortless to imagine how eac...more
It won my interest in and I enjoyed the way Elizabeth Hand narrated and depicted the paints, the art materials and the process of painting in an incredibly "matter of fact "tone. Through this, it was almost effortless to imagine how eac...more
As is typical with much of Hand's work, 'Mortal Love' is rife with atmosphere, beautiful descriptions, esoteric subjects and lush prose. There are even encounters with characters who were originally featured in 'Waking the Moon', which was a welcome surprise.
The book outlines the histories of three generations of men and their encounters with the same woman, who acted as lover and muse to them all. A great deal of the book delves into the history of Victorian Pre-Raphaelite and Fair...more
The book outlines the histories of three generations of men and their encounters with the same woman, who acted as lover and muse to them all. A great deal of the book delves into the history of Victorian Pre-Raphaelite and Fair...more
Massively disappointing.
Based on the subject matter -- Welsh folklore and painting and the concept of the muse -- I expected to love this book, but I found it vague and confusing and not at all engaging.
The sections that took place in the present were more interesting than the bits set in the past, but the whole thing never really held together. The long, trippy descriptions never engaged me, and I found myself skimming through them to the point where I wasn't sure what wa...more
Based on the subject matter -- Welsh folklore and painting and the concept of the muse -- I expected to love this book, but I found it vague and confusing and not at all engaging.
The sections that took place in the present were more interesting than the bits set in the past, but the whole thing never really held together. The long, trippy descriptions never engaged me, and I found myself skimming through them to the point where I wasn't sure what wa...more
Thought this book would be interesting with the blurb I read that described it as an erotic, sensory thriller that revolves around a beautiful muse and her influence on artists throughout time. The book was supposed to delve into the minds of the male artists and explore the passion, intrigue and imagery invoked by the beautiful, myseterious girl and then describe their gradual descent to madness..I did not get any of that from this book all I got was a disjointed, confusing jumbled three part s...more
I stopped reading this book months ago because I could not get past the beginning. It's been forever since I've read a fantasy book, so my suspension of disbelief was off kilter. Then last month, it was in my car (still), I had to wait around for an appointment for an hour, and so started reading it again. I am sure glad I did. That story sucked me in like BAM and I couldn't stop reading it.
Lia
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lia by:
Endicott Mythic Fiction group
Shelves:
library,
read-in-2008
My mystic artist side wandered the dream-like book in fascination and understanding...
But my practical side was quite unsatisfied. The tale is rather disjointed and confusing. I could never remember which character in which era had learned what bit of the puzzle, so I didn't know if whomever I was reading about at the moment should be recognizing something or not.
And I think you have to have spent time in Britain to understand a lot of this. Places are referred to like th...more
But my practical side was quite unsatisfied. The tale is rather disjointed and confusing. I could never remember which character in which era had learned what bit of the puzzle, so I didn't know if whomever I was reading about at the moment should be recognizing something or not.
And I think you have to have spent time in Britain to understand a lot of this. Places are referred to like th...more
A novel of astonishing power and beauty, Mortal Love weaves together the stories of several centuries of artists, writers and doctors, all of whom are entranced by one mysterious, seemingly ageless woman. Elizabeth Hand blends contemporary life, Victorian art and British folklore into a stunningly gorgeous tapestry. A truly magical work!
One reading is not enough to fully suck the juices out of this fantasy novel with several main characters and set in several time periods. It explores the nature of art, artists, and inspiration as well as the role of mythology in life. Unlike much literary fiction, Mortal Love has a definite and satisfying end.
Started off strong, but losing steam with a bit too much jumping around between viewpoints. It was a bit jarring to suddenly switch back to the original first-person narrator after a hundred or so pages away.
Still a lot of good stuff, although it's hard to tell if it's going anywhere in particular.
Unfortunately the rest of the book continued in the same vein; disjointed and a bit repetitious until it wrapped up in the final chapter, not entirely satisfactorily. Without ge...more
Still a lot of good stuff, although it's hard to tell if it's going anywhere in particular.
Unfortunately the rest of the book continued in the same vein; disjointed and a bit repetitious until it wrapped up in the final chapter, not entirely satisfactorily. Without ge...more
I don't know how I heard about this book... or how it came to be in my stack of books to read. Very interesting... compelling... mysterious... and beautifully written. And, oh yeah.... weird!
This is lyric prose. The story of otherworldly lovers by time and space, who are searching in every lifetime for each other. The plot shifts back and forth through eras and weaves in threads about creativity and its ties to the mortal world from Pre-Raphaelite art to contemporary travel writing. While the pace drags at times where there is necessary explanatory information, or where Hand is capturing the "voice" of an era, but the rich descriptive settings and the mysterious character ...more
I am so in love with this book. I have read it over and over. Sometimes you start a love affair with a novel and it lasts for many years.
About as thrilling as an art history class. A quote from the book about sums it up, "I yawned and dropped the book...".
a Good Read! Very interesting. The only thing is there are not any likable characters in this book
Much more vulgar then I had expected. But I would still read it again.
I usually love whatever she writes, but this one I was on the fence with.
The idea is cool, but the novel is slightly confusing.
Poor Jere: I often do not love books that he loves.
I read this book in a few days, which—considering how busy my life has turned out to be this year—is saying a lot!
The fascination with color and the essence of creativity drew me into this book. The story itself helped me to shake off art school damage. I think this book helped me to take a creative leap of my own in my painting, and just get into enjoying color and texture again.
The imagery in the book brought me back to the Frick museum and the fairy paintings exhibit....more
The fascination with color and the essence of creativity drew me into this book. The story itself helped me to shake off art school damage. I think this book helped me to take a creative leap of my own in my painting, and just get into enjoying color and texture again.
The imagery in the book brought me back to the Frick museum and the fairy paintings exhibit....more
This loses a star because I am from Cornwall, and did not recognise Cornwall at all in this book. Other than that minor point, a great read. Bizarre, multi-faceted, fantastical...just as I like it. This book made me forget where I was, thanks to this skilled author.
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A New York Times notable and multiple award– winning author, Elizabeth Hand has written seven novels, including the cult classic Waking the Moon, and short-story collections. She is a longtime contributor to numerous publications, including the Washington Post Book World and the Village Voice Literary Supplement. She and her two children divide their time between the coast of Maine and North Londo...more
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