Thank you to Dave and the gang at The WriteReads for organising this tour and to Jake Kendall and Neem Tree Press for having me along. I am excited to be sharing my review of The Vanitas today.
Synopsis
Spanning three hundred years of art history, The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession tells the stories of those with an insatiable hunger for creation – those who may sacrifice friendships, careers, romance, and even their own happiness in pursuit of a vision.
Weaving art styles such as Cubism, Surrealism, and the Baroque into his prose, Jake Kendall has crafted a vivid and inventive collection. Each story is complemented by a black and white illustration, drawing out the visually evocative nature of the writing and offering readers a unique artistic delight.
My Thoughts
I haven’t blogged or read much for so long so a selection of fascinating short stories, and a long one, was really the perfect way to dip my toes back into the blogging water again!
Now, I feel I must disclose that I am not an artist or historian, nor an expert in either. I love learning about History, but have no strong expertise. Art wise – I know how something makes me feel, I can form opinions of how much I like it but I know very little else. I appreciate it, and enjoy it but cannot talk about the skills involved – I do art like a nursery child! However, there was no need to be intimidated as Jake Kendall brings the world of art and history into his stories in such a delightful and unique way.
The Vanitas is an intense selection of short, but intricate and complex, stories with an art history theme. Each story begins with a picture of the art work it was inspired by and delves into the depths of obsession, love and the way in which art reaches into the depths of the soul.
I adored thinking about the fictional stories behind the art work, but also about the artists and the process too. I often think about the art itself but this book has changed my perspective and moving forward, I feel I will be more curious about the artist themselves and the history of the piece.
I really enjoyed this thought provoking collection. Quick to read but by no means simple. The Vanitas is very well written and would be a great selection for Art/History enthusiasts.
Author Bio – Jake Kendall
Jake Kendall was born in Oxford and studied an MSc in Creative Writing with the University of Edinburgh. He takes inspiration from the visual arts, a theme that formed his debut collection. The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession (Neem Tree Press) refracts contemporary issues and anxieties through timeless imagery and artistic movements. Jake lives and works in Edinburgh and spends his free time visiting bookshops, exhibitions, theatre, and independent cinemas.
Herding Cats 