4.0
The Nude
By C. Michelle LindleyPublisher Description
A Boston Globe Book We’re Most Excited About This Summer • An Electric Lit Queer Books You Need to Read this Summer • A Town & Country’s Best Book to Read This July • A Debutiful Noteworthy Debut of July • LitHub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024
A gripping, provocative, and sensual debut novel about an art historian who journeys to a Greek island in pursuit of a found sculpture and quickly finds herself immersed in a cultural tug-of-war and a complicated love affair.
1999: An island off the southern coast of Greece. Art historian Elizabeth Clarke arrives with the intent to acquire a rare female sculpture. But what begins as a quest for a highly valued cultural artifact evolves into a trip that will force Elizabeth to contend with her career, her ambition, and her troubling history.
Disoriented by jet lag, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on prescription pills, Elizabeth turns to her charming and guileless translator to guide her around the labyrinthine island. Soon, the island’s lushness—its heat and light, its textures and tastes—take hold of Elizabeth. And when she’s introduced to her translator’s inscrutable wife—a subversive artist whose work seeks to deconstruct the female form—she becomes unexpectedly enthralled by her. But once the nude’s acquisition proves to be riskier than Elizabeth could have ever imagined, Elizabeth’s and the statue’s fate are called into question. To find a way out, Elizabeth must grapple with her past, the role she’s played in the global art trade, and the ethical fallouts her decisions could leave behind.
The Nude is an evocative and intense exploration of art, cultural theft, and what it means to be a woman helming morally complicated negotiations in a male-directed world.
A gripping, provocative, and sensual debut novel about an art historian who journeys to a Greek island in pursuit of a found sculpture and quickly finds herself immersed in a cultural tug-of-war and a complicated love affair.
1999: An island off the southern coast of Greece. Art historian Elizabeth Clarke arrives with the intent to acquire a rare female sculpture. But what begins as a quest for a highly valued cultural artifact evolves into a trip that will force Elizabeth to contend with her career, her ambition, and her troubling history.
Disoriented by jet lag, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on prescription pills, Elizabeth turns to her charming and guileless translator to guide her around the labyrinthine island. Soon, the island’s lushness—its heat and light, its textures and tastes—take hold of Elizabeth. And when she’s introduced to her translator’s inscrutable wife—a subversive artist whose work seeks to deconstruct the female form—she becomes unexpectedly enthralled by her. But once the nude’s acquisition proves to be riskier than Elizabeth could have ever imagined, Elizabeth’s and the statue’s fate are called into question. To find a way out, Elizabeth must grapple with her past, the role she’s played in the global art trade, and the ethical fallouts her decisions could leave behind.
The Nude is an evocative and intense exploration of art, cultural theft, and what it means to be a woman helming morally complicated negotiations in a male-directed world.
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“Book 27 of Year 2024
in c. michelle lindley’s debut novel, 'the nude' we follow elizabeth, an american curator, as she embarks on a journey to Greece to inspect a captivating sculpture of a woman. this assignment could potentially lead to a promotion in her company. however, what begins as a routine task quickly evolves into a complex exploration of art, desire, and personal history.
the novel skilfully weaves together art and mystery. elizabeth is drawn to the sculpture’s quality and beauty, sensing something special about it. as she delves deeper, she becomes entangled in a web of intrigue and secrets.
lindley creates a chilling and thrilling atmosphere. elizabeth’s stay in Greece takes unexpected turns, and her illness adds to the sense of foreboding. the reader is left wondering about the sculpture’s true significance.
while I may find the writing style challenging, the intriguing storyline compensates for it. the author's prose keeps me engaged, even if it requires a bit of effort to fully immerse. even though, admittedly, the plot may be somewhat predictable for me. however, it excites me to watch the fmc piece together the puzzle and uncover hidden truths.
in the story, the real question is: should art be shared with the public or remain in its original place? this is a great question, inviting us to ponder the delicate balance between preservation and accessibility.”
About C. Michelle Lindley
C. Michelle Lindley’s writing has been featured in The Georgia Review, Conjunctions, and more. She has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Cornell University and a BA from the University of Berkeley in English and Art History. The Nude is her first novel.
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