tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post5004966886019528983..comments2024-03-27T22:25:42.129-05:00Comments on Reading the Past: The Painter of Souls by Philip Kazan, a novel about the young Fra Filippo LippiSarah Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-35969898400670554612016-07-17T12:36:45.227-05:002016-07-17T12:36:45.227-05:00Hi Larry, interesting that we end up reading the s...Hi Larry, interesting that we end up reading the same books - is this one you're planning to review? (I went to your site to see if you'd covered it previously, but didn't see it - I usually skip reading reviews of novels I'll soon be reviewing myself, so didn't remember if that was the case with this one.) In any case, I admit I'm not too familiar with the artists of this particular period, so much in this novel was new to me -- and so Pippo's work with the other artists didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. Looking back, though, one aspect that felt rather over-the-top was his contribution to Masaccio's fresco toward the end. However, it did get me reading more about Masaccio's work.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-72089971355147385302016-07-17T10:32:03.458-05:002016-07-17T10:32:03.458-05:00Sarah, I think we're channeling each other aga...Sarah, I think we're channeling each other again (or maybe it's that I get a lot of review ideas from your columns in the first place). I was curious to know what you thought of this. I agree that Pippo's conflict between his faith and desires raises the novel above the ordinary, though I found it remarkable (not to say incredible) that so many established artists welcomed him into their ranks, rather like Dante's conceit about Virgil. That said, Pippo's kind heart and warmth made his story irresistible.Larry Zuckerman (aka Novelhistorian)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02789005505070461171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-13748507667265487122016-07-15T13:39:51.844-05:002016-07-15T13:39:51.844-05:00I think you'd enjoy it!I think you'd enjoy it!Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-20709512651614462532016-07-15T13:39:32.563-05:002016-07-15T13:39:32.563-05:00Thanks - glad you liked it! You get a good feel fo...Thanks - glad you liked it! You get a good feel for the different sides of the city at the time from reading this book, since Filippo continues to visit his family and his childhood friends.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-42586044247817482782016-07-15T10:47:36.986-05:002016-07-15T10:47:36.986-05:00This sounds great! I'm looking forward to rea...This sounds great! I'm looking forward to reading it.Vicki Kondelikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02609232129894659045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-1405615252927178982016-07-15T10:43:24.822-05:002016-07-15T10:43:24.822-05:00This one sounds very interesting; I enjoy stories ...This one sounds very interesting; I enjoy stories in which there is a stark contrast between various types of living. I actually don't think I've read too many stories set in 15th century Florence, so I would love to check this one out. Wonderful review!Jordan @ForeverLostinLiteraturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15231807884697678173noreply@blogger.com