Product Description

A collection of three stories, each haunted in a different way by the spirit of Matisse, from the winner of the 1990 Booker Prize for "Possession".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #150007 in Books
• Published on: 1994-11-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

Exquisite little gem
Three separate short stories, each inspired by a different painting of Matisse, which deal with surface and beauty.

The description of a middle-aged woman going to her hairdressers after it has been refitted with garish lights, and coming out with a stiff old ladies hairdo, is completely haunting, beautifully observed and has stayed with me for years.

I have to say that, although not as famous as her other work, this is my favourite AS Byatt. Highly recommended.

A fabulous jewel to be read time and time again
This little book is a constant source of pleasure akin to a perfect piece of jewelery. It contains three stories, each with a Matisse painting at its heart. The commentary on life within each few pages will haunt you.

I first read it in the mid 90's yet 15 years on, it still captivates and intrigues. It includes moments of release, moments of clarity and twisted revenge, moments of considered cruelty; each is so exquisitely crafted that each re-reading burnishes their brilliance.

Whenever anybody asks me about passion for colour and obsession, I refer them to the second story and Batchelor's Chromophobia and as such this book transcends the tag of short story collection. The Djinn and the Nightingale's Eye is the only other Byatt that captures this concise elegance and is also well worth a read.

I cannot recommend this highly enough - I suggest you will return to it time and time again.