Enlarge Image
To embed a link to this book on your own website, please copy the code below.
Beyond Measure
By Pauline Holdstock
The art world of mid-16th century Italy comes to life through the eyes of a piebald slave stolen from her home and family in Africa.
Chiara, as she is eventually named, is sold to Paolo Pallavicino, an artist in service of Giuliano de Medici. When several unfortunate incidents ... Read more
Overview
The art world of mid-16th century Italy comes to life through the eyes of a piebald slave stolen from her home and family in Africa.
Chiara, as she is eventually named, is sold to Paolo Pallavicino, an artist in service of Giuliano de Medici. When several unfortunate incidents occur, the artist’s wife believes her to be a curse and demands that she be sent away. From this starting point, Chiara works her way from painter to painter, observing the games the artists play on each other and the rivalries that fuel their artistic creations.
Pauline Holdstock
Born in England, Pauline Holdstock came to Canada in 1974. Her first novel, The Blackbird's Song, was a finalist in the WH Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award in 1987. Her 2004 novel Beyond Measure was nominated for the Giller Prize. Her writing has appeared in Exile, Event, Grain, NeWest Review, Malahat Review, Flare and Antigonish Review among others. She lives in Sidney on Vancouver Island.
Reviews
“In Beyond Measure, Holdstock has created a fascinating portrayal of a society obsessed with surfaces, which sees the creation of beauty as ample justification for torture, mutilation, and murder. ”
“Holdstock, with a few deft strokes, pulls the reader into the tumultuous life of an alluring rabble of characters: painters, sculptors, patrons, fools, and slaves … In Beyond Measure, she proves herself a master of pacing. Her lively, macabre plot trips lightly along in spite of its dark elements. ”
“This well-executed novel can sit comfortably on any bookshelf alongside work by writers like A. S. Byatt and Jane Urquhart. ”
Reader Reviews
Tell us what you think!
Sign Up or Sign In to add your review or comment.
Related Blog Posts
Writer's Block: RM Vaughan
Writer, critic, video artist, and journalist RM Vaughan is a prolific creator. His most recent literary work is Bright Eyed: Insomnia and Its Cultures, published this month from Coach House Books as part of their Exploded Views series, exploring current cultural issues through ... Read more
- Pages 300
- Published September 13, 2003
- Publisher Cormorant Books
- Category Fiction
- Keywords Literary , Historical
Other titles by Pauline Holdstock
Get the All Lit Up Newsletter!
We'll send you bi-monthly updates to keep you in the loop on the best of our blog, special campaigns and offers, AND news on the latest in literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry from indie publishers across Canada.
You May Also Like
