The perspective did not force the eye towards areas of imperfection; rather, it dared the eye not to notice them.
The Nude is an intoxicating example of fiction that slowly finds its way underneath your skin. I was immediately captivated by this debut, swept away by the voice of our protagonist, Elizabeth, an art historian who is called upon when a marble statue washes ashore the southern coast of Greece. I felt that the main themes of The Nude were really thought-provoking - beauty, possession, art and female beauty, all shining a light on identity. Many times I thought of the quote "Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it" from one of my favourite classics, The Secret History, which, similar to The Nude, has an underlying echo that something so beautiful can be just as destructive and captivating. I really loved that C. Michelle Lindley set The Nude in Greece, where the mythology is steeped in stories that intertwine beauty and horror, such as the myth of Adonis. C. Michelle Lindley’s debut is one that will stick with you long after you finish consuming the pages. The Nude is definitely one to suggest for your next buddy read / book club, especially as it comes with discussion questions, which I loved!
Review by Danielle.
The Nude was published on 30/07/24 by Verve Books
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