Mortal Love by Elizabeth Hand

Synopsis:: "Elizabeth Hand explores the theme of artistic inspiration and its dangerous devolvement into obsession and madness through three interwoven narrative threads in this superb dark fantasy novel. In late Victorian England, American painter Radborne Comstock makes the acquaintance of Evienne Upstone, a model who's inspired members of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and driven painter Jacobus Candell completely insane. More than half a century later, Radborne's grandson Valentine ends up institutionalized after viewing intensely erotic paintings that his grandfather produced under Evienne's spell. His experiences echo those of Daniel Rowlands, an American writer in contemporary London whose research into the legend of Tristan and Iseult brings him into contact with Larkin Meade, a fey lover whose passion leaves him physically and emotionally deranged."

I'm not going to beat around the bush. I absolutely devoured Mortal Love. Elizabeth Hand has long been my favorite author, and even when I read work from her that I didn't care for, I could never deny that it was exquisitely written. This novel was no exception.

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2006 Book Log:: http://sihaya09.livejournal.com/439937.html