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Belleza dorada
Año 1900. Adele Bloch-Bauer, una mujer casada de ascendencia judía, hermosa, brillante y adinerada, conoce al pintor Gustav Klimt en una Viena que empieza a desprenderse de las caretas del sexo y del antisemitismo. Su embriagadora vulnerabilidad e intensidad alimentan un triángulo amoroso que dará lugar a las mejores obras del artista.
Año 1938. Maria Altmann, recién casada y enamorada en la ciudad que la vio nacer, tiene que presenciar cómo, de la noche a la mañana, su querida Viena se convierte en zona de guerra. Cuando arrestan a su marido y todo a su alrededor se desmorona, el legado de su tía Adele la mantendrá en pie, un legado por el que tendrá que enfrentarse a los nazis y al gobierno austríaco.
Año 1938. Maria Altmann, recién casada y enamorada en la ciudad que la vio nacer, tiene que presenciar cómo, de la noche a la mañana, su querida Viena se convierte en zona de guerra. Cuando arrestan a su marido y todo a su alrededor se desmorona, el legado de su tía Adele la mantendrá en pie, un legado por el que tendrá que enfrentarse a los nazis y al gobierno austríaco.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2004
434 people are currently reading
8032 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Lico Albanese
10 books896 followersI'm so excited to share my newest novel, HESTER, with you. This is a prequel and a retelling of Hawthorne's classic novel THE SCARLET LETTER, in which he links female passion and shame. My HESTER is Isobel Gamble, a young Scottish seamstress new to Salem in 1829, who falls in love with aspiring writer Nat Hawthorne and inspires his first novel.
I'm also the author of STOLEN BEAUTY, a novel about love, art, courage and war that illuminates the intimate lives of two remarkable Viennese women whose fates and awakenings are bound by Gustav Klimt and his golden portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.
Thanks for visiting and for reading.
WARNING: READING CAUSES EMPATHY. It's a fact.
HESTER
A Novel
Coming October 4, 2022 from St. Martin's Press
973-477-3891
https://linktr.ee/laurielicoalbanese
I'm also the author of STOLEN BEAUTY, a novel about love, art, courage and war that illuminates the intimate lives of two remarkable Viennese women whose fates and awakenings are bound by Gustav Klimt and his golden portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.
Thanks for visiting and for reading.
WARNING: READING CAUSES EMPATHY. It's a fact.
HESTER
A Novel
Coming October 4, 2022 from St. Martin's Press
973-477-3891
https://linktr.ee/laurielicoalbanese
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
April 16, 2017
I am a sucker for a good cover so when I saw this one, I quickly put it at the top of my list and admired it every time I sat it down on my coffee table. Not only was it a pretty cover, it was a pretty awesome story.
Two parallel stories told in different eras. Adele, in the late 1880's, finding herself and her spirit through art and literature and is both bold and vocal - prohibited from a woman during this time. Maria, the niece, recently wed at the cusp of the nazi invasion. Shared spirits in both blood and passion.
The fear, the helplessness and hopelessness. But much beauty and courage during these tumultuous times.
This was so wonderfully written. Beautifully referenced with history and art.
Stolen beauty is a breathtaking read and one I savoured. I fell in love with these 2 women who represented the female movement of their times.
An amazing 5***** story.
Two parallel stories told in different eras. Adele, in the late 1880's, finding herself and her spirit through art and literature and is both bold and vocal - prohibited from a woman during this time. Maria, the niece, recently wed at the cusp of the nazi invasion. Shared spirits in both blood and passion.
The fear, the helplessness and hopelessness. But much beauty and courage during these tumultuous times.
This was so wonderfully written. Beautifully referenced with history and art.
Stolen beauty is a breathtaking read and one I savoured. I fell in love with these 2 women who represented the female movement of their times.
An amazing 5***** story.
February 7, 2017
Adele Bloch-Bauer living in Austria in the late 1880's, from a family of means is a strong , passionate independent young woman with a thirst for knowledge of art , philosophy, literature . At a time when it wasn't acceptable for women to pursue such interests, she follows her brother's dying wish when he tells her , " Don't let them box you in , do you hear me? Don't let them do that ." Defying her critics and her husband, she embarks on a proposition to be painted by Gustav Klimt while also embarking on a liaison she hadn't planned . The results are beautiful, famous paintings of her, most notable of those known as The Woman in Gold.
Her niece Maria in 1938 Austria is like her aunt - strong , passionate and independent, who with her husband and family has to endure the Nazi's move into Austria. They are Jewish and paintings from Uncle Ferry's collection of his wife Adele are confiscated by the Nazis . At the time, there are more imminent and consequential things happening such as imprisonment and concentration camps and the need to try to escape. Years later, in 2000, it becomes important to Maria to get back the paintings which were falsely claimed to have been given to a gallery in Austria , but by right belonged to her.
Their stories are told in alternating narratives and after exploring a little of the history, the story of this painting and these women seem to reflect a thorough job of research on the part of the author. It may seem to some that the art stolen by the Nazis is unimportant compared to the unimaginable loss of life as a result of the Holocaust but yet it represents that in addition to the suffering and lives lost , everything was taken . For Maria, fighting this to the Supreme Court was a way of getting something back . Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
I received an advanced copy of this from Atria through NetGalley
Her niece Maria in 1938 Austria is like her aunt - strong , passionate and independent, who with her husband and family has to endure the Nazi's move into Austria. They are Jewish and paintings from Uncle Ferry's collection of his wife Adele are confiscated by the Nazis . At the time, there are more imminent and consequential things happening such as imprisonment and concentration camps and the need to try to escape. Years later, in 2000, it becomes important to Maria to get back the paintings which were falsely claimed to have been given to a gallery in Austria , but by right belonged to her.
Their stories are told in alternating narratives and after exploring a little of the history, the story of this painting and these women seem to reflect a thorough job of research on the part of the author. It may seem to some that the art stolen by the Nazis is unimportant compared to the unimaginable loss of life as a result of the Holocaust but yet it represents that in addition to the suffering and lives lost , everything was taken . For Maria, fighting this to the Supreme Court was a way of getting something back . Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
I received an advanced copy of this from Atria through NetGalley
February 17, 2017
On the wall directly across the foot of my bed, I have hanging a large framed print of Klimt's, The Kiss. I love it, see something new in it all the time. Love his work, so naturally I was drawn to this book about Vienna in 1903, featuring Klimt and Adele Block-Bauer. I had also started another book, the subject matter about lost art and the Nazis, a theme in both books, and when I came across Adele's name, thought I had better read this one first. Coincidences abound.
The life of Adele, the salons, the glittering scene that was Austria, but also the beginning undercurrents of anti-Semitism that would be fully played out forty years later in the life her niece Maria. So a dual story line, though the first shined brighter for me, I did find them both compelling. Adele had a short life, but lives on in the many pieces of art that feature her likeness, though for a time her identity was unknown. Many of course requisitioned by the Nazis and later fought for by the rightful heirs.
The atmosphere in both stories was wonderfully rendered, the characters fully drawn. Called factual fiction, well researched fiction, and I love reading books that combine these two elements.
The author does explain in her note what was true and what she changed form the sake of her story. Now I can go back and finish the other book, contrast and compare. An endlessly interesting albeit horrific time period, so many books feature this time but love how this one centered on Klimt, Adele, his paintings and the fight to reclaim what was taken.
ARC from Netgalley.
The life of Adele, the salons, the glittering scene that was Austria, but also the beginning undercurrents of anti-Semitism that would be fully played out forty years later in the life her niece Maria. So a dual story line, though the first shined brighter for me, I did find them both compelling. Adele had a short life, but lives on in the many pieces of art that feature her likeness, though for a time her identity was unknown. Many of course requisitioned by the Nazis and later fought for by the rightful heirs.
The atmosphere in both stories was wonderfully rendered, the characters fully drawn. Called factual fiction, well researched fiction, and I love reading books that combine these two elements.
The author does explain in her note what was true and what she changed form the sake of her story. Now I can go back and finish the other book, contrast and compare. An endlessly interesting albeit horrific time period, so many books feature this time but love how this one centered on Klimt, Adele, his paintings and the fight to reclaim what was taken.
ARC from Netgalley.
June 10, 2017
A vibrant and compelling historical fiction novel about art, passion, love and war and family.
A magnificent blend of fact, fiction and history which makes this novel so readable and enjoyable.
From the dawn of the twentieth century to the devastation of World War II, this exhilarating novel of love, war, art, and family gives voice to two extraordinary women and brings to life the true story behind the creation and near destruction of Gustav Klimt’s most remarkable paintings.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved how the author weaved together this remarkable story with fact and imagination. The novel has two alternating story lines which worked really well as they are both easy to follow and both as equally interesting. I enjoyed both the stories of the two women involved and spent so much time googling images of the paintings, people and places involved in this story. I appreciate that this is historical fiction and therefore I went into this book knowing that author would create some fiction around the facts but she does this beautifully.
The books is well researched and I really enjoyed the read. I also enjoyed the authors website and her own family story and if you happen to read this book do check out her website as it had some interesting links and articles concerning the book that are really worth reading.
I listened to this one on audio and the narrators were excellent, however I am not sure if the book contained images or photos which I may have missed out on.
Highly recommend this for lovers of historical fiction and think it would also make an excellent book club read.
A magnificent blend of fact, fiction and history which makes this novel so readable and enjoyable.
From the dawn of the twentieth century to the devastation of World War II, this exhilarating novel of love, war, art, and family gives voice to two extraordinary women and brings to life the true story behind the creation and near destruction of Gustav Klimt’s most remarkable paintings.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved how the author weaved together this remarkable story with fact and imagination. The novel has two alternating story lines which worked really well as they are both easy to follow and both as equally interesting. I enjoyed both the stories of the two women involved and spent so much time googling images of the paintings, people and places involved in this story. I appreciate that this is historical fiction and therefore I went into this book knowing that author would create some fiction around the facts but she does this beautifully.
The books is well researched and I really enjoyed the read. I also enjoyed the authors website and her own family story and if you happen to read this book do check out her website as it had some interesting links and articles concerning the book that are really worth reading.
I listened to this one on audio and the narrators were excellent, however I am not sure if the book contained images or photos which I may have missed out on.
Highly recommend this for lovers of historical fiction and think it would also make an excellent book club read.
March 28, 2017
What a beautiful, glittering book cover for this novel! It’s reminiscent of the gold leaf painting by Gustav Klimt that immortalized Adele Bloch-Bauer, one of two central characters within this historical fiction and the real life model for his 1907 painting, “Woman in Gold”. The author weaves together Adele’s story (told mostly during the beginning of 20th century Vienna) and an interconnected account of the life of her niece, Maria Altmann, who courageously survived the rise of anti-Semitism following the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938.
The story is fictional, yet meticulously researched by the author…especially the descriptions of early 20th century Vienna. Adele Bloch-Bauer was a beguiling and head-strong woman from a prominent, Jewish family. She was denied a formal education yet well read, a patron of the arts and hostess of a renowned Viennese Salon, where she would often hold court for musicians, artists and writers. I was fascinated with her personal story as a muse to Gustav Klimt and inspiration for his most famous painting. The story gradually builds an undercurrent of menace during this period as political intrigue begins to lay the groundwork for anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Equally absorbing is the pre-WWII experiences of Adele’s niece, Maria Altmann, the second narrative within this novel. By this time, the anti-Semitism had reached a point where Jews were forced to flee Austria to avoid persecution. Similar to her aunt Adele in an earlier generation, Maria also summoned courage and determination in order to survive the Nazi invasion of Austria.
The novel is a beautifully written, captivating story, rich in authentic details. I highly recommend for readers of historical fiction and art lovers.
I won a free ARC of this book through Suzy Approved Book Reviews on Facebook. Thank you to Suzanne!
The story is fictional, yet meticulously researched by the author…especially the descriptions of early 20th century Vienna. Adele Bloch-Bauer was a beguiling and head-strong woman from a prominent, Jewish family. She was denied a formal education yet well read, a patron of the arts and hostess of a renowned Viennese Salon, where she would often hold court for musicians, artists and writers. I was fascinated with her personal story as a muse to Gustav Klimt and inspiration for his most famous painting. The story gradually builds an undercurrent of menace during this period as political intrigue begins to lay the groundwork for anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Equally absorbing is the pre-WWII experiences of Adele’s niece, Maria Altmann, the second narrative within this novel. By this time, the anti-Semitism had reached a point where Jews were forced to flee Austria to avoid persecution. Similar to her aunt Adele in an earlier generation, Maria also summoned courage and determination in order to survive the Nazi invasion of Austria.
The novel is a beautifully written, captivating story, rich in authentic details. I highly recommend for readers of historical fiction and art lovers.
I won a free ARC of this book through Suzy Approved Book Reviews on Facebook. Thank you to Suzanne!
June 4, 2017
A wonderful story of two very strong women and one beautiful gold painting. A must read for historical fiction fans. I felt like I had been reading this one for ages. Not because I did not like it, but because the kid in me came out. Each time I went to the library, a new shiny book came in and I exclaimed 'MINE' and put this one aside. Over and over again. Plus, I had seen the movie Woman in Gold that is based on the story of the portrait and mostly Maria's life, but is not based on this book. So I kept setting it aside and going back to it here and there.
The book tells the story of the two women - Adele Bloch-Bauer, a young Jewish woman, recently married, who meets the artist Gustav Klimt. A woman, new to society and art and jumping in with her eyes wide open. Klimt eventually creates this amazing portrait of Adele. Her niece, Maria Altman, is a young bride when the Nazis invade Austria. The Nazis, as we know from history, begin to take everything, collecting art, of shall I say, stealing art. Maria must flee the country for her safety. The story rotates between telling each of these women's stories in detail. Eventually, the portrait ends up in the hands of the Austrian government and Maria fights to regain what is rightly fully hers. This is a story of historical fiction but it is based on a real event that happened in our history.
I enjoyed reading this one. I have watched the movie a few times (I love it and I'm a creature of habit). The book goes more into the story of these women. You learn so much more of them especially Adele, which I felt, was not really covered in the movie as much. They are both wonderful and different. I'm glad that I read this one. I just wish it did not take me so long to finish.
The book tells the story of the two women - Adele Bloch-Bauer, a young Jewish woman, recently married, who meets the artist Gustav Klimt. A woman, new to society and art and jumping in with her eyes wide open. Klimt eventually creates this amazing portrait of Adele. Her niece, Maria Altman, is a young bride when the Nazis invade Austria. The Nazis, as we know from history, begin to take everything, collecting art, of shall I say, stealing art. Maria must flee the country for her safety. The story rotates between telling each of these women's stories in detail. Eventually, the portrait ends up in the hands of the Austrian government and Maria fights to regain what is rightly fully hers. This is a story of historical fiction but it is based on a real event that happened in our history.
I enjoyed reading this one. I have watched the movie a few times (I love it and I'm a creature of habit). The book goes more into the story of these women. You learn so much more of them especially Adele, which I felt, was not really covered in the movie as much. They are both wonderful and different. I'm glad that I read this one. I just wish it did not take me so long to finish.
July 6, 2017
I’m a longtime fan of Gustav Klimt’s works, so I knew I had to give STOLEN BEAUTY a listen when it came across my audiobook radar. The title refers to Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, one of Klimt’s most famous paintings during his “Golden Phase.” (Take a look at the painting HERE.) At the heart of STOLEN BEAUTY are two remarkable women: Adele Bloch-Bauer and Maria Altmann.
At the turn of the last century, Adele Bloch-Bauer was a wealthy Austrian woman, a patron of the arts, and Gustav Klimt’s muse. In her adulthood, she studied and hosted salons on philosophy, science, and art, all the subjects that were forbidden to her as a girl. She was a strong, intelligent, and passionate woman who fought to break through the limitations that society placed on her.
Decades later, Adele’s niece, Maria, is living in Vienna when the Nazis invade Austria, and her strength is put to the test. She must find a way to save herself, her family, and ultimately Adele’s legacy.
I enjoyed STOLEN BEAUTY very much. It was compelling, heartbreaking, and completely absorbing. It was also a well-researched account of the Viennese art world during Klimt’s time. This book would appeal to art lovers as well as historical fiction buffs.
Books about Nazis and their atrocities are not easy to read, especially since there are things going on today that mirror what happened during Hitler’s rise, like blaming immigrants or a religious group for society's problems. But, it’s important to keep reading these books and stay in the know. Stay angry and aware.
(Side note: I wasn’t aware of this before, but there’s a movie called WOMAN IN GOLD (2015) starring Helen Mirren as Maria Altmann. I requested it from the library. Looking forward to viewing!)
Audiobook • 9 hrs, 25 mins • Narrators: Gabra Zackman , Madeleine Maby , Gibson Frazier
Listening to the audiobook of STOLEN BEAUTY was wonderful. Gabra Zackman performed the part of Adele, while Madeleine Maby was the voice of Maria. Gibson Frazier took more of a narrator’s role with short snippets between the women’s characters’ parts. Zackman and Maby, in particular, had to tackle several characters and different accents, and both handled it beautifully.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
At the turn of the last century, Adele Bloch-Bauer was a wealthy Austrian woman, a patron of the arts, and Gustav Klimt’s muse. In her adulthood, she studied and hosted salons on philosophy, science, and art, all the subjects that were forbidden to her as a girl. She was a strong, intelligent, and passionate woman who fought to break through the limitations that society placed on her.
Decades later, Adele’s niece, Maria, is living in Vienna when the Nazis invade Austria, and her strength is put to the test. She must find a way to save herself, her family, and ultimately Adele’s legacy.
I enjoyed STOLEN BEAUTY very much. It was compelling, heartbreaking, and completely absorbing. It was also a well-researched account of the Viennese art world during Klimt’s time. This book would appeal to art lovers as well as historical fiction buffs.
Books about Nazis and their atrocities are not easy to read, especially since there are things going on today that mirror what happened during Hitler’s rise, like blaming immigrants or a religious group for society's problems. But, it’s important to keep reading these books and stay in the know. Stay angry and aware.
(Side note: I wasn’t aware of this before, but there’s a movie called WOMAN IN GOLD (2015) starring Helen Mirren as Maria Altmann. I requested it from the library. Looking forward to viewing!)
Audiobook • 9 hrs, 25 mins • Narrators: Gabra Zackman , Madeleine Maby , Gibson Frazier
Listening to the audiobook of STOLEN BEAUTY was wonderful. Gabra Zackman performed the part of Adele, while Madeleine Maby was the voice of Maria. Gibson Frazier took more of a narrator’s role with short snippets between the women’s characters’ parts. Zackman and Maby, in particular, had to tackle several characters and different accents, and both handled it beautifully.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
This book is about the lives of Adele Bloch-Bauer and her niece, Maria Altmann and their connection to the painter Gustav Klimt.
Adele was raised in Vienna and as a child was bright and curious. Because she was a girl, she had been limited by her parents to what she could learn and study. She met her husband, Ferdinand at her sister’s engagement party. He was much older, established, and provided her with a cultured life with access to the artistic community.
Through a mutual friend Adele meets Klimt and he arranges for her to model for him. They meet weekly in his studio where more than a friendship develops. When the portrait Judith I is unveiled it reflects a bare breasted woman strongly resembling Adele featuring a unique necklace that she has worn at social events. Ferdinand is embarrassed by the revealing painting of his wife and the implications.
In 1938, Maria Altmann is a newlywed when the Nazi party invades Austria. Her husband’s family business along with their assets are confiscated. During this time, she finds out that her uncle Ferdinand has had his assets seized as well. He is forced to abandon his building containing all of his artwork, including portraits of the late Adele.
This book does a tremendous job of detailing the lives behind the famous painting commonly known as The Woman in Gold. I was aware of the lawsuit behind the painting, but not of the lives of these two women which the book pleasantly recounts. The dialogue between the characters felt genuine while making you feel their emotions. I really enjoyed this book and did not want it to end!
Book giveaway on m blog until 1/17 https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...
Adele was raised in Vienna and as a child was bright and curious. Because she was a girl, she had been limited by her parents to what she could learn and study. She met her husband, Ferdinand at her sister’s engagement party. He was much older, established, and provided her with a cultured life with access to the artistic community.
Through a mutual friend Adele meets Klimt and he arranges for her to model for him. They meet weekly in his studio where more than a friendship develops. When the portrait Judith I is unveiled it reflects a bare breasted woman strongly resembling Adele featuring a unique necklace that she has worn at social events. Ferdinand is embarrassed by the revealing painting of his wife and the implications.
In 1938, Maria Altmann is a newlywed when the Nazi party invades Austria. Her husband’s family business along with their assets are confiscated. During this time, she finds out that her uncle Ferdinand has had his assets seized as well. He is forced to abandon his building containing all of his artwork, including portraits of the late Adele.
This book does a tremendous job of detailing the lives behind the famous painting commonly known as The Woman in Gold. I was aware of the lawsuit behind the painting, but not of the lives of these two women which the book pleasantly recounts. The dialogue between the characters felt genuine while making you feel their emotions. I really enjoyed this book and did not want it to end!
Book giveaway on m blog until 1/17 https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...
September 20, 2017
I really liked this & learned so much about the artist Klimt. Art is an area that I’ve never had much interest in, however, novels like this are helping change that. Adele was a woman before her time and I’m glad that I got to learn her story. My only complaint was concerning Adele’s death. As the reader I’d really come to care about her... she was gone and the story just kept on. Would’ve liked to have seen more time spent on her lose. Still really enjoyed.
February 10, 2017
Love, war, and art.
STOLEN BEAUTY moves from 1900 to 1938 as we follow the lives of Adele and Maria.
In 1900, Adele's story was about her life and how she became fascinated with the painter Gustav Klimt and that era of art.
In 1938, the story is told of Maria, Adele's niece, newly married and taken from her home and taken from her husband at the beginning of WWII when Hitler invaded Austria.
STOLEN BEAUTY was interesting, but since I am not an art aficionado, I was a bit confused. Despite my lack of knowledge in the art area, though, I did learn a lot about Gustav Klimt.
The WWII sections were heartbreaking as usual.
I do have to say I enjoyed the story of Maria more than Adele, but most likely because I don't know too much about art. Maria also seemed to be a warmer character than Adele.
It took me halfway through the book to warm up to the characters, and even though it wasn't a favorite, I enjoyed the book.
Ms. Lico Albanese did a marvelous job of researching, and she has wonderful, descriptive writing.
ENJOY if you read STOLEN BEAUTY. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
April 20, 2017
This novel wasn't inscribed with my name, but it could have been -- based on a true story with historical figures, a WWII setting, narrative that moves back and forth between time periods, strong female protagonists and, best of all, the world of art and artists.
I was fascinated by the real life woman who inspired Gustav Klimt. Adele is strong and compelling, a woman both of and greater than her time. I was easily transported to the world of Viennese salons, artists' studios and grand museum openings. Just as compelling was Adele's niece Maria, in both her terror of the Nazi's and her eventual triumph.
I read a lot of historical fiction, but this one rises above many others. I genuinely appreciate how this author incorporates so many facts, dates and people, but does it in service of her story instead of just as proof of her research skills. She also spends just as much effort developing the interpersonal relationships as she does advancing the plot.
Excellent writing with an interesting story and great characters makes for a great read.
I was fascinated by the real life woman who inspired Gustav Klimt. Adele is strong and compelling, a woman both of and greater than her time. I was easily transported to the world of Viennese salons, artists' studios and grand museum openings. Just as compelling was Adele's niece Maria, in both her terror of the Nazi's and her eventual triumph.
I read a lot of historical fiction, but this one rises above many others. I genuinely appreciate how this author incorporates so many facts, dates and people, but does it in service of her story instead of just as proof of her research skills. She also spends just as much effort developing the interpersonal relationships as she does advancing the plot.
Excellent writing with an interesting story and great characters makes for a great read.
March 2, 2017
This is a gorgeous, wrenching, heartbreaking, glittering novel. It is urgent and relevant and populated with real, flesh-and-blood characters. Adele is an exceptional, mesmerizing heroine, and I know I will never forget her story. Easily my favorite book of 2017 so far.
February 6, 2017
An amazingly readable story about Adele Bloch-Bauer and her famous portrait painted by Gustav Klimt, The Lady in Gold. It also tells the struggle of her niece, Maria, to get the picture back from a museum in Vienna and have it given to her. The story is mainly set around pre-WWII and WWII.
I looked the portrait up and it is simply breathtaking. What an amazing work of art. I have also seen the movie with Helen Mirren about the story so I had some background information to bring to the reading.
The author really brings Vienna to life. Vienna, pre- WWII, seemed an exciting place that was vibrant and full of exciting new ideas. Adele married young to an older, rich man that gave her the freedom to move in intellectual and artistic circles. There she meets Gustav Klimt, an upcoming artist. He paints her not once but twice, an honor not given to anyone else.
The story fluctuates between Adele and her niece who struggles in a Vienna taken over by the Nazis. As a Jew, she struggles with violence and deprivation. She loses contact with her rich uncle. Adele's husband, and loses all the priceless treasures the couple had accumulated. The treasures end up in Nazi hands.
Years later and now an American, Maria struggles to gain control over the famous Klimt painting. It is hanging in a museum in Vienna where her aunt wanted it to be. I really struggle with this part as the aunt really wants it to be in the museum but Maria fights and wins the painting. She then sells it to a museum that is not even close to where she lives so she can go and see it. It was rather unsettling to me.
A wonderful book that kept me enthralled from the beginning to the end. It painted such a vivid picture of Vienna and the times. It also gave a good insight into the life of the really rich of the time.
Thank you, Net Galley, for the book in exchange for a fair review.
I looked the portrait up and it is simply breathtaking. What an amazing work of art. I have also seen the movie with Helen Mirren about the story so I had some background information to bring to the reading.
The author really brings Vienna to life. Vienna, pre- WWII, seemed an exciting place that was vibrant and full of exciting new ideas. Adele married young to an older, rich man that gave her the freedom to move in intellectual and artistic circles. There she meets Gustav Klimt, an upcoming artist. He paints her not once but twice, an honor not given to anyone else.
The story fluctuates between Adele and her niece who struggles in a Vienna taken over by the Nazis. As a Jew, she struggles with violence and deprivation. She loses contact with her rich uncle. Adele's husband, and loses all the priceless treasures the couple had accumulated. The treasures end up in Nazi hands.
Years later and now an American, Maria struggles to gain control over the famous Klimt painting. It is hanging in a museum in Vienna where her aunt wanted it to be. I really struggle with this part as the aunt really wants it to be in the museum but Maria fights and wins the painting. She then sells it to a museum that is not even close to where she lives so she can go and see it. It was rather unsettling to me.
A wonderful book that kept me enthralled from the beginning to the end. It painted such a vivid picture of Vienna and the times. It also gave a good insight into the life of the really rich of the time.
Thank you, Net Galley, for the book in exchange for a fair review.
August 9, 2016
Laurie Lico Albanese has given us a powerful tale of love and war, art and family. Filled with lush prose and vivid historical detail, 'Stolen Beauty' is a work simultaneously intimate and sweeping in its scope. I was transported; I loved being swept up into the golden era of fin de Siecle Vienna.
October 29, 2020
Este libro nos muestra 2 historias, la de Adele Bloch-Bauer y María Altmann, dos mujeres valientes y fuertes.
La historia de Adele nos describe una Viena llena de arte y cultura, su relación con Ferdinand y Klimt.
Se menciona el trabajo del pintor, alguna de sus obras, su proceso de elaboración y como la pareja Bloch-Bauer se convierte en su mecenas, la narrativa es envolvente página a página.
La historia de María se va a dar durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, habla de su huida de los nazis y su intento por recuperar su herencia, las pinturas de Klimt para las que posó su tía 🖤
La historia de Adele nos describe una Viena llena de arte y cultura, su relación con Ferdinand y Klimt.
Se menciona el trabajo del pintor, alguna de sus obras, su proceso de elaboración y como la pareja Bloch-Bauer se convierte en su mecenas, la narrativa es envolvente página a página.
La historia de María se va a dar durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, habla de su huida de los nazis y su intento por recuperar su herencia, las pinturas de Klimt para las que posó su tía 🖤
February 7, 2017
What are the odds that the first few books that I’ve reviewed this month have all been so good? That rarely happens to me but for some reason the stars have aligned and this month has been a fantastic kick off to the new year book-wise!
The last few novels have all been set during war time and I love love love the drama and romance that comes from a war era novel. This novel was full of beautiful language and writing.
At first I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to enjoy this novel. I am not sure why but for some reason the cover just kind of put me off. It seemed a little hokey and didn’t really capture my interest. so I almost passed on this one all together. But as the old adage goes, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. The summary sounded interesting and so I agreed to review it.
This novel has two alternating story lines which worked really well for the flow of the overall story. I felt completely connected and invested in each of the characters stories. Adele was a woman that I could relate to the most I think. She was bold, charismatic and full of passion and an eagerness to learn. For me, I liked her the best, but that said, Maria also had likable characteristics. Maria always seemed to persevere and was able to get what she wanted through strength and hope.
I think one of the most memorable things from this novel was the attention to detail. This novel is very well researched in many aspects…..art and war are very broad topics and could easily have little nuances glossed over, but in this book the author does a fantastic job describing in full detail the time period and the art. It wasn’t boring or unnecessary either. Each little historic detail helped paint a truly magnificent novel.
I am now so glad that I picked this novel to review…..even though the cover was a little blah for me, the story inside was fantastic and one that readers should not miss out on!
See my full review here
The last few novels have all been set during war time and I love love love the drama and romance that comes from a war era novel. This novel was full of beautiful language and writing.
At first I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to enjoy this novel. I am not sure why but for some reason the cover just kind of put me off. It seemed a little hokey and didn’t really capture my interest. so I almost passed on this one all together. But as the old adage goes, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. The summary sounded interesting and so I agreed to review it.
This novel has two alternating story lines which worked really well for the flow of the overall story. I felt completely connected and invested in each of the characters stories. Adele was a woman that I could relate to the most I think. She was bold, charismatic and full of passion and an eagerness to learn. For me, I liked her the best, but that said, Maria also had likable characteristics. Maria always seemed to persevere and was able to get what she wanted through strength and hope.
I think one of the most memorable things from this novel was the attention to detail. This novel is very well researched in many aspects…..art and war are very broad topics and could easily have little nuances glossed over, but in this book the author does a fantastic job describing in full detail the time period and the art. It wasn’t boring or unnecessary either. Each little historic detail helped paint a truly magnificent novel.
I am now so glad that I picked this novel to review…..even though the cover was a little blah for me, the story inside was fantastic and one that readers should not miss out on!
See my full review here
April 18, 2025
Libro molto bello e particolare. La storia si dipana attraverso due livelli narrativi: nel primo si narra la storia di Adele Bloch Bauer, una viennese ebraica che fu l'amante e la musa di Klimt, tanto da comparire in alcuni dei suoi ritratti. Siamo a Vienna sul finire dell' '800, ai tempi della Belle Epoque, quando la città era un centro artistico e culturale. Nel secondo livello prendono luogo le vicende della nipote di Adele, Maria, ai tempi dell'invasione di Vienna da parte dei nazisti.
Entrambe le ambientazioni storiche sono molto affascinanti, descritte in modo da rendere viva la partecipazione del lettore. Ho trovato particolarmente intensa la storia di Adele, personaggio vivo, carismatico, indipendente, e la descrizione dei luoghi e del clima di Vienna di quel tempo, che porta ad immergersi in quel contesto con l'immaginazione e fa venire voglia di visitare la città. Tuttavia, trovo che la parte finale sia stata meno carica di atmosfera e troppo prolissa, poteva essere sintetizzata di più. In ogni caso per me è consigliato.
Entrambe le ambientazioni storiche sono molto affascinanti, descritte in modo da rendere viva la partecipazione del lettore. Ho trovato particolarmente intensa la storia di Adele, personaggio vivo, carismatico, indipendente, e la descrizione dei luoghi e del clima di Vienna di quel tempo, che porta ad immergersi in quel contesto con l'immaginazione e fa venire voglia di visitare la città. Tuttavia, trovo che la parte finale sia stata meno carica di atmosfera e troppo prolissa, poteva essere sintetizzata di più. In ogni caso per me è consigliato.
February 6, 2017
4.5 stars. In "Stolen Beauty," Adele Bloch-Bauer becomes just one of painter Gustav Klimt's many muses. It's the early 1900s and Europe is changing rapidly. Adele dreams of bringing art to her home in Vienna and she and her husband become two of the art world's major patrons in the city. During World War II, it is up to Adele's beloved niece to try to save the beloved painting of Adele (who is deceased by that point) for her uncle. This is an exciting book of love, passion, and art for historical fiction lovers.
I was initially drawn to this book by the inclusion of Gustav Klimt. I have long enjoyed his art (how could you not be stunned and taken in by all of the gorgeous figures and the gold, oh the gold?) but I did not know much about him at all. This book is so much more than just an exploration of his art though. Adele is a woman before her time. Her husband believes very much in the avant garde and encourages his wife's participation in the glittering art world of Vienna. Although Adele appreciates her husband's modern outlook, it takes her awhile to love him. That only comes much later once she begins to truly appreciate all that he has done for her. I loved the detail of Adele's life and all that she is able to do throughout the book.
Maria is quite different than Adele. Although she has still had the opportunity to grow up wealthy and privileged, that begins to fall away under the shadow of the Nazis. Maria's family is Jewish. So was Adele but in Adele's time, that did not hold her back. In Maria's time, Maria and her family are targets. We follow Maria as she tries to escape Europe: first landing in Liverpool, England and finally in California as a refugee. We see how she carves out a life for herself and is pulled back to the past to rescue paintings from the Austrian government that rightfully belong to her family as her uncle wanted.
The detail of the book is great. The author does a great job of bringing the worlds of both Adele and Maria to life. Adele's world is glittering. Maria's world is full of danger at every turn. Both of these women existed, which makes this book all the more fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I was initially drawn to this book by the inclusion of Gustav Klimt. I have long enjoyed his art (how could you not be stunned and taken in by all of the gorgeous figures and the gold, oh the gold?) but I did not know much about him at all. This book is so much more than just an exploration of his art though. Adele is a woman before her time. Her husband believes very much in the avant garde and encourages his wife's participation in the glittering art world of Vienna. Although Adele appreciates her husband's modern outlook, it takes her awhile to love him. That only comes much later once she begins to truly appreciate all that he has done for her. I loved the detail of Adele's life and all that she is able to do throughout the book.
Maria is quite different than Adele. Although she has still had the opportunity to grow up wealthy and privileged, that begins to fall away under the shadow of the Nazis. Maria's family is Jewish. So was Adele but in Adele's time, that did not hold her back. In Maria's time, Maria and her family are targets. We follow Maria as she tries to escape Europe: first landing in Liverpool, England and finally in California as a refugee. We see how she carves out a life for herself and is pulled back to the past to rescue paintings from the Austrian government that rightfully belong to her family as her uncle wanted.
The detail of the book is great. The author does a great job of bringing the worlds of both Adele and Maria to life. Adele's world is glittering. Maria's world is full of danger at every turn. Both of these women existed, which makes this book all the more fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
December 26, 2018
Una interesante historia que involucra dos mujeres separadas por los años que plantan cara a la circunstancias de la vida. La recomiendo muchísimo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12m6Z...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12m6Z...
December 27, 2020
(4.5 ⭐️) “A cada época, su arte; al arte, su libertad”
“Se decía que el nuevo arte era seductor y vulgar, y mi padre me había prohibido verlo.”
Me encantó conocer sobre Klimt y la historia detrás de uno de sus cuadros más emblemáticos, así como del alcance del saqueo de obras de arte por parte de los nazis. Usa historia a dos voces muy bien contada y documentada.
“Se decía que el nuevo arte era seductor y vulgar, y mi padre me había prohibido verlo.”
Me encantó conocer sobre Klimt y la historia detrás de uno de sus cuadros más emblemáticos, así como del alcance del saqueo de obras de arte por parte de los nazis. Usa historia a dos voces muy bien contada y documentada.
December 28, 2022
I've been a fan of the artist Gustav Klimt for over 50 years, so when I realized our book club selection was about Klimt and his model/ patron Adele Bloch-Bauer, I was all in, and it did not disappoint. It was a dual timeline story following Adele, and then her niece, Maria, during the Nazi takeover in Austria. I don't want to give too much away, but the writing and plot were engaging.
November 9, 2017
For those who love Gustav Klimt's paintings (and, honestly, I have never met anyone who didn't care for at least some of them) this book is a very enjoyable and interesting read. Klimt, his work and the society in which he painted are all brought vividly to life through the eyes of a fictionised Adele Bloch-Bauer. Adele definitely knew Klimt, one of his most famous paintings is of her, he painted two portraits of her and she is widely believed to be the model or inspiration behind at least one other completed painting. While it has often been debated whether Adele and Klimt were lovers I don't think there is any evidence one way or the other so there is plenty of scope for the author to bring their characters to life, and she does so very well indeed.
Adele is written as an intelligent, feisty young woman as well educated as any woman of her age (late 1800's early 1900's) and is depicted as a vivid, vibrant part of Viennese society. A society hostess, she ran salons that address provocative questions of the day and was a great patron of the arts, along with her much older husband. The descriptions of early Viennese society are as vivid as the depictions of Adele and Klimt and perfectly set the scene for understanding how Vienna Secession art movement came about. Also, the descriptions of Vienna before the empire broke apart were fascinating, in the gentlest and most enjoyable of ways, this book taught me more about the history of that part of Europe.
This book however is not just set in Adele and Klimt's world, the other narrative thread running throughout the book is set some forty years later as Adele's beloved niece Maria Altmann is settling into newly wedded life with her beloved husband. Sadly, this is 1938 and we begin her story just Hitler's army is marching in to Vienna. As Jews, even very non-practicing one, are tortured in the streets, flee the country and have all their possessions striped from them, we strive to bond to Maria as, through our sinking feelings, we watch the art being stolen and stripped from it's rightful owners. In the other thread of the book we are watching the same art being made and the Nazi era provokes a visceral, and not always enjoyable reaction. Maria's story is told a little more extensively than Adele's, I felt, possibly because there is more source material and because her journey through WWII Europe to safety sets us up for the climax of the book where she seeks the return of her Aunt's portrait, as per the dying wishes of her uncle.
The fight for the return of the painting, late in the book is interesting and legal side of these things, lightly written and not to heavy for those who are not over-invested in courtroom dramas, it is a matter of public knowledge so I am not revealing any spoilers here. This segment is written very movingly and I think very well edited, into a cohesive but not excessive description of the real life and relatively recent events which led to the painting being returned to the heirs of the family from which it was stolen (Also, it induced me to stay up to one AM to finish it).
While this was an excellent book in many ways it also too me a relatively long time to get into and a rather long time to read. The sections of Adele and Klimt's world were fascinating, but I felt that we were thrown into Nazi atrocities too fast in Maria's story to give us time to bond with the characters or get into the pace of the story. Those sections dragged and I put the book down more often than not because I was just not us to reading them. I even considered skipping a few to get on with Adele and the painting side of the story and while I am glad I did not do so the different threads produced widely different feelings in me as a reader. Throughout, I knew that the second thread was needed to get to the climax, it was well done for it's purpose I suppose, at the very least it should help give context to critics of returning stolen art from WWII.
A very successful book for my art reading challenge as it brought the Vienna Secession movement and the art culture in which it evolved so very much to life for me.
Adele is written as an intelligent, feisty young woman as well educated as any woman of her age (late 1800's early 1900's) and is depicted as a vivid, vibrant part of Viennese society. A society hostess, she ran salons that address provocative questions of the day and was a great patron of the arts, along with her much older husband. The descriptions of early Viennese society are as vivid as the depictions of Adele and Klimt and perfectly set the scene for understanding how Vienna Secession art movement came about. Also, the descriptions of Vienna before the empire broke apart were fascinating, in the gentlest and most enjoyable of ways, this book taught me more about the history of that part of Europe.
This book however is not just set in Adele and Klimt's world, the other narrative thread running throughout the book is set some forty years later as Adele's beloved niece Maria Altmann is settling into newly wedded life with her beloved husband. Sadly, this is 1938 and we begin her story just Hitler's army is marching in to Vienna. As Jews, even very non-practicing one, are tortured in the streets, flee the country and have all their possessions striped from them, we strive to bond to Maria as, through our sinking feelings, we watch the art being stolen and stripped from it's rightful owners. In the other thread of the book we are watching the same art being made and the Nazi era provokes a visceral, and not always enjoyable reaction. Maria's story is told a little more extensively than Adele's, I felt, possibly because there is more source material and because her journey through WWII Europe to safety sets us up for the climax of the book where she seeks the return of her Aunt's portrait, as per the dying wishes of her uncle.
The fight for the return of the painting, late in the book is interesting and legal side of these things, lightly written and not to heavy for those who are not over-invested in courtroom dramas, it is a matter of public knowledge so I am not revealing any spoilers here. This segment is written very movingly and I think very well edited, into a cohesive but not excessive description of the real life and relatively recent events which led to the painting being returned to the heirs of the family from which it was stolen (Also, it induced me to stay up to one AM to finish it).
While this was an excellent book in many ways it also too me a relatively long time to get into and a rather long time to read. The sections of Adele and Klimt's world were fascinating, but I felt that we were thrown into Nazi atrocities too fast in Maria's story to give us time to bond with the characters or get into the pace of the story. Those sections dragged and I put the book down more often than not because I was just not us to reading them. I even considered skipping a few to get on with Adele and the painting side of the story and while I am glad I did not do so the different threads produced widely different feelings in me as a reader. Throughout, I knew that the second thread was needed to get to the climax, it was well done for it's purpose I suppose, at the very least it should help give context to critics of returning stolen art from WWII.
A very successful book for my art reading challenge as it brought the Vienna Secession movement and the art culture in which it evolved so very much to life for me.
October 26, 2020
Me encanto este libro. La historia de Adele, María, Ferdinand y Klimt relatadas maravillosamente. No conocía mucho se este pintor y ahora son una gran admiradora de su arte. Sencillamente vale la pena leerlo y disfrutar las memorias de la familia Bloch Bauer
February 11, 2017
I'm interested in art history, and there was a Klimt shaped hole in my art education. The only thing I knew about Austrian artist Gustav Klimt was that he painted The Woman in Gold. So I joined the Stolen Beauty blog tour and received an ARC from the publisher via Net Galley.
I was interested in the fact that Adele, the subject of the Woman in Gold portrait, chose to marry a man who promised her freedom. That was her priority in the selection of a husband--not love, attractiveness or wealth. He certainly had wealth, but her own family was wealthy. She was accustomed to always having whatever she needed, yet her strict mother made her feel very constrained. She couldn't go where she pleased or follow her interests. So she married for independence, and for the most part she got it. She met artists, musicians, writers and intellectuals. She founded her own salon to discuss the issues of the day. She also founded an art museum and selected its collection. The Woman in Gold made her prominent and admired.
Adele's family was Jewish, but religion was largely irrelevant to her. She grew up in a completely secular home. Adele encountered anti-semitism, but it never impacted her life very much. Maria, the other viewpoint character in this novel, lived to see the rise of Nazi Germany and the invasion of Austria. Her uncle's collection of Klimts disappeared when the Nazis looted the art of Jewish families.
This brings me to Maria's litigation with Austria. I admit that I originally wasn't sympathetic to Maria's point of view, and I found the case that her lawyer made troubling from a feminist perspective. Yet I eventually came around to the argument that Austria shouldn't benefit from Nazi theft.
For my blog tour post about this book with the blog tour wide giveaway see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2017/...
The giveaway expires on February 14th.
For my complete review without the blog tour content, see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
I was interested in the fact that Adele, the subject of the Woman in Gold portrait, chose to marry a man who promised her freedom. That was her priority in the selection of a husband--not love, attractiveness or wealth. He certainly had wealth, but her own family was wealthy. She was accustomed to always having whatever she needed, yet her strict mother made her feel very constrained. She couldn't go where she pleased or follow her interests. So she married for independence, and for the most part she got it. She met artists, musicians, writers and intellectuals. She founded her own salon to discuss the issues of the day. She also founded an art museum and selected its collection. The Woman in Gold made her prominent and admired.
Adele's family was Jewish, but religion was largely irrelevant to her. She grew up in a completely secular home. Adele encountered anti-semitism, but it never impacted her life very much. Maria, the other viewpoint character in this novel, lived to see the rise of Nazi Germany and the invasion of Austria. Her uncle's collection of Klimts disappeared when the Nazis looted the art of Jewish families.
This brings me to Maria's litigation with Austria. I admit that I originally wasn't sympathetic to Maria's point of view, and I found the case that her lawyer made troubling from a feminist perspective. Yet I eventually came around to the argument that Austria shouldn't benefit from Nazi theft.
For my blog tour post about this book with the blog tour wide giveaway see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2017/...
The giveaway expires on February 14th.
For my complete review without the blog tour content, see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
December 25, 2019
This was a beautifully written account of the lives of two women: Adele Bloch-Bauer, subject of one of the world’s most famous paintings, and her niece, who fought for ownership after the painting was stolen by Nazis. I love art history, and the work of Gustav Klimt, so I loved reading about the history (in a novelized form) of this painting. The second to last book in my 30years30books project.
October 28, 2020
Conocer a una mujer como Adele Bloch-Bauer, que en pleno siglo XIX fue determinada, decidida sobre lo que quería, lo que le apasionaba y que lo logró, me gustó mucho. Es una historia escrita de manera maravillosa, con grandes personajes de la historia.
May 11, 2021
Tra i libri più belli che ho letto quest'anno, "La Bellezza Rubata" racconta la storia e la vita di Adele Bloch-Bauer, la musa di Klimt che ha ispirato molte delle sue opere più belle e più famose, e quella di sua nipote Maria Altmann.
L'autrice ci catapulta nella scintillante Vienna dei valzer e dei salotti artistico/letterari di fine '800 e inizio '900. Adele appartiene a una famiglia ebrea tra le più in vista della città. É intelligente e colta, ha un'ottima conoscenza delle arti e della letteratura. É passionale e indipendente, ha fame di conoscenza e rincorre la libertà fisica, mentale e spirituale, cosa molto sconveniente per una ragazza di buona famiglia di quell'epoca. Durante una mostra incontrerà l'uomo che le cambierà la vita: Gustav Klimt. Il pittore è magnetico, un abile incantatore e Adele rimane affascinata dal suo spirito e dalla sua personalità. Ignorando le obiezioni del marito, Adele accetta di essere ritratta da Gustav, diventando poi musa ispiratrice per molte opere tra le più belle e famose del pittore.
Grazie a lui riuscirà a trascendere da tutto e a provare finalmente cosa voglia dire essere libera, libera di essere sé stessa, di provare le proprie emozioni senza vergogna e senza timore, di esplorare i propri desideri e, sopratutto, libera di esprimere il proprio pensiero. Grazie a lui, Adele diventerà eterna, eternamente libera.
Parallelamente conosciamo sua nipote Maria Altmann. La Vienna d'orata di Adele non esiste più, sostituita dai colori cupi dei Panzer nazisti che, da un giorno all'altro, invadono le strade della città austriaca. Maria è una sposa novella, discendente di un'illustre famiglia ebrea, quando si ritrova i nazisti alle porte e, letteralmente, viene privata di tutto quello che possiede. La casa dei coniugi Altmann viene requisita dagli ufficiali tedeschi insieme all'azienda tessile del marito, a denaro, gioielli (compresa la preziosa collana appartenuta alla zia Adele), opere d'arte e qualsiasi bene materiale di loro proprietà e delle rispettive famiglie. Tra i beni trafugati c'è anche il famoso "Ritratto di Adele Bloch-Bauer I" realizzato da Gustav Klimt e conservato gelosamente da Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer, il marito ormai vedovo di Adele. Zio Ferdinand è costretto a fuggire e la sua casa viene ignobilmente spogliata di tutti i suoi tesori.
Il destino di Maria si legherà indissolubilmente a quello del ritratto di Adele e solo seguendola lungo il sentiero doloroso della sua vita potremmo conoscerne le sorti.
"La Bellezza Rubata" è un'opera emotivamente potentissima che parla di arte, amore e libertà. Cruda, diretta e dettagliata, è una vera e propria testimonianza sia della vita di Adele Bloch-Bauer e del suo rapporto con Gustav Klimt che degli orrori nazisti perpetrati ai danni delle famiglie ebree e dell'ignobile campagna di trafugamento dei tesori e delle opere d'arte.
Come ho detto, questo è uno dei libri più belli che ho letto quest'anno, ma non solo... É uno dei libri più belli che leggerò mai. Le premesse già c'erano tutte: per me che amo i romanzi storici, le biografie e che sono cresciuta a pane e arte, questo libro non poteva che rappresentare il paradiso in terra!
É stata una lettura che mi ha assorbito completamente, anima e corpo, una lettura che mi ha riempito il cuore e che me lo ha spezzato per poi ricucirlo e tornare a colmarlo.
L'autrice ci catapulta nella scintillante Vienna dei valzer e dei salotti artistico/letterari di fine '800 e inizio '900. Adele appartiene a una famiglia ebrea tra le più in vista della città. É intelligente e colta, ha un'ottima conoscenza delle arti e della letteratura. É passionale e indipendente, ha fame di conoscenza e rincorre la libertà fisica, mentale e spirituale, cosa molto sconveniente per una ragazza di buona famiglia di quell'epoca. Durante una mostra incontrerà l'uomo che le cambierà la vita: Gustav Klimt. Il pittore è magnetico, un abile incantatore e Adele rimane affascinata dal suo spirito e dalla sua personalità. Ignorando le obiezioni del marito, Adele accetta di essere ritratta da Gustav, diventando poi musa ispiratrice per molte opere tra le più belle e famose del pittore.
Grazie a lui riuscirà a trascendere da tutto e a provare finalmente cosa voglia dire essere libera, libera di essere sé stessa, di provare le proprie emozioni senza vergogna e senza timore, di esplorare i propri desideri e, sopratutto, libera di esprimere il proprio pensiero. Grazie a lui, Adele diventerà eterna, eternamente libera.
Parallelamente conosciamo sua nipote Maria Altmann. La Vienna d'orata di Adele non esiste più, sostituita dai colori cupi dei Panzer nazisti che, da un giorno all'altro, invadono le strade della città austriaca. Maria è una sposa novella, discendente di un'illustre famiglia ebrea, quando si ritrova i nazisti alle porte e, letteralmente, viene privata di tutto quello che possiede. La casa dei coniugi Altmann viene requisita dagli ufficiali tedeschi insieme all'azienda tessile del marito, a denaro, gioielli (compresa la preziosa collana appartenuta alla zia Adele), opere d'arte e qualsiasi bene materiale di loro proprietà e delle rispettive famiglie. Tra i beni trafugati c'è anche il famoso "Ritratto di Adele Bloch-Bauer I" realizzato da Gustav Klimt e conservato gelosamente da Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer, il marito ormai vedovo di Adele. Zio Ferdinand è costretto a fuggire e la sua casa viene ignobilmente spogliata di tutti i suoi tesori.
Il destino di Maria si legherà indissolubilmente a quello del ritratto di Adele e solo seguendola lungo il sentiero doloroso della sua vita potremmo conoscerne le sorti.
"La Bellezza Rubata" è un'opera emotivamente potentissima che parla di arte, amore e libertà. Cruda, diretta e dettagliata, è una vera e propria testimonianza sia della vita di Adele Bloch-Bauer e del suo rapporto con Gustav Klimt che degli orrori nazisti perpetrati ai danni delle famiglie ebree e dell'ignobile campagna di trafugamento dei tesori e delle opere d'arte.
Come ho detto, questo è uno dei libri più belli che ho letto quest'anno, ma non solo... É uno dei libri più belli che leggerò mai. Le premesse già c'erano tutte: per me che amo i romanzi storici, le biografie e che sono cresciuta a pane e arte, questo libro non poteva che rappresentare il paradiso in terra!
É stata una lettura che mi ha assorbito completamente, anima e corpo, una lettura che mi ha riempito il cuore e che me lo ha spezzato per poi ricucirlo e tornare a colmarlo.
November 28, 2016
Albanese detailed prose transports you between the 1900 Vienna art world where everything is beautiful, dazzling and forty years later when Maria (Adele's niece) and her family are forced from their Austrian home by the Nazis.
One of the best and will researched historical fiction reads I've read in a long time this family story of love, survival and sacrifice will have transfixed from the first chapter.
One of the best and will researched historical fiction reads I've read in a long time this family story of love, survival and sacrifice will have transfixed from the first chapter.
February 13, 2017
Book seemed so promising...wish characters were better developed and written (even if fictionally written on real people). Since it's based on historically accurate events, gave it 3 stars over 2 stars.
**Diclaimer: Do not work for any publishing house, bookstore or other commercial endeavor, nor have received a free copy via any entity. Just reading for pure pleasure.
**Diclaimer: Do not work for any publishing house, bookstore or other commercial endeavor, nor have received a free copy via any entity. Just reading for pure pleasure.
April 14, 2018
An interesting read behind the spellbinding painting A Lady In Gold. This book focuses on both Adele Bloch the woman in the painting and her niece Lilly who fights to retain the painting, which was stolen by the Nazi's during WWII. It is a fictionalized telling but felt very authentic to the two women and their families struggles.
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