Rated of 5
by Julie A True Coloring
The plot of "Broken Colors", developed through natural dialogue and internal monologue, provides the impetus for the direction of this novel. In an easy descriptive style imbued with charm, wit and pathos, Michele Zackheim creates her heroine, Sophie Marks, as a resourceful, yet often temperamental, talented artist - Ms. Zackheim’s own visual art career establishes a credible base for the development of the story’s artistic theme.
When loneliness added to physical and mental suffering overwhelmed Sophie, I felt impelled to join her search for survival and wondered where she would find the courage to reach fulfillment in her work and relationships with friends and lovers. In addition, I enjoyed the book’s cultural and historical aspects as the storyline meandered through English history during WWII and exposed its devastating effect on the innocent. It was also easy to imagine sharing Sophie’s bohemian artist’s life in Paris and then to follow her south to Italy where the author painted overlays of bucolic country life and flowing landscapes.
Broken Colors is a portrait of a strong, capricious, yet winsome woman whose struggle with personal tragedy colors her life and her search for inner peace and love.
Rated of 5
by Joan Broken Colors
"Broken Colors"left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, it was visually exciting. The author's background as an artist was evident. It was a good story with important insights about the lasting effect of war on individuals but probably deserved a longer more fleshed out book. I was disappointed in the way certain parts were hurried and it almost seemed as if the author was anxious to get on to the next episode. It read more like an outline than a novel. That said I would recommend the book.
Rated of 5
by Loren artistic insight
This was a wonderfully written novel with good characterization and descriptions. I enjoyed it for the insight into how an artist feels and creates. I gave it four instead of five stars because of the romantic elements. (I'm not very fond of romances.)
Rated of 5
by Nancy A Book for Artists
I had a hard time reading this book. It's very well written, but I feel it would be enjoyed only by an artist or someone with an art background.The story is lost in all the colors, techniques and language of art. The characters themselves were frustrating. So selfish and self-consumed. And the locations - from England to Paris to Italy - so typical of artists. The only real character in the book was the protagonist's friend, Anne, who showed up too infrequently. I did not care for the book - in fact, I was relieved when I finished it.
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