A PIECE OF THE WORLD

by Christina Baker Kline
 

I found Christina Baker Kline’s concept for A Piece of The World intriguing.  She based the novel on the famous painting “Christina’s World” by Andrew Wyeth and researched the life of the woman who lies in the center of the painting, looking longingly towards an old farmhouse in the distance.  Kline also includes facts about Wyeth’s life at that time.  Then she builds a story about how the painting came to be.
 
My problem with the story is that it is flat.  Kline successfully evokes the time and place, but beyond that, nothing much happens.  I found myself consistently wanting more.  In all honesty, however, my Bates Boston alumna book club read A Piece of The World as one of last year’s monthly selections and I think I was the only person who didn’t give it a rave review! (Liz)