Still Life by Sarah Winman.

I’m obviously in the minority as I was three quarters through and I gave it up. Now loving The Lamplighters which was recommended on here

I loved Still Life and after reading this have ordered Evelyn Skinner from library.

Still pushing myself to continue and yes it brightened up when Ulysses is gifted a fantastic home in Florence which seemed so unlikely that the sense of unreality continued. I am now with Evelyn Skinner and hoping that will have some more substance though so far her art lessons which so beguile her students sound more annoying than informative. I am forcing myself to stay the distance.

I loved it as did all my book group.

Ah yes, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there, Lovetopaint! It did feel as though the characters were dissociated from the events around them.

It could have been so much better - a missed opportunity.

Well *Sue” I have continued in hope and so far I have to agree with you. She tells you what is happening but not what the characters are really feeling. It’s a strange style which I don’t feel is really literary if you know what I mean !!!

I didn’t enjoy it, it seemed wooden and with unlikable characters.

Thank you teabagwoman and JF2. I will now definitely continue. So pleased you both enjoyed it. Yes I have been to Florence and I love art so was hoping to enjoy it.

It is a bit of a slow starter, but worth continuing, it became two stories that were intertwined.
It’s enhanced, if you’ve ever been to Florence and you can imagine yourself there.
Quite a few twists and surprises.

It took me a little while to settle into it but I was so glad that I did. It made me both laugh and cry and I was sorry to finish it.