Drawing Lessons

By: Patricia Sands

Narrated by: Susan Hanfield

The author of the Love in Provence series returns to the South of France with a poignant portrait of a woman who must learn how to create a new life for herself...

Sixty-two-year-old Arianna arrives in the South of France for a two-week artists' workshop full of anticipation but burdened by guilt. Back home in Toronto, she has been living with the devastating diagnosis of her husband's dementia and the heartbreak of watching the man she has loved for decades slip away before her eyes. What does her future hold without Ben? Before her is a blank canvas.

Encouraged by her family to take some time for herself, she has traveled to Arles to set up her easel in the same fields of poppies and sunflowers that inspired Van Gogh. Gradually, she rediscovers the inner artist she abandoned long ago. Drawing strength from the warm companionship and gentle wisdom of her fellow artists at the retreat - as well as the vitality of guest lecturer Jacques de Villeneuve, an artist and a cowboy - Arianna searches her heart for permission to embrace the life in front of her and, like the sunflowers, once again face the light.

©2017 Patricia Sands (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Art

An exceptional story painting wonderful scenes of a beautiful part of France and blossoming friendships.

Beautiful

What a wonderful story of love, grief and learning to live again. The author transported me to France. I felt as if I was there with Arianna. I loved this book and Arianna's personal and emotional journey.

A Bit Too Nice

The is a re!axing book with almost no conflict between the characters. Even the characters one thinks will present a bit of conflict turn out to be nice. Still the descriptions will fill the reader with the warm sun of the South of France and artistic endeavour. Read this when you've grown tired of winter and it will make you feel as if you just attended a yoga class.

Disappointing

This was excruciating to listen to. The narrativos awful, attempting French accents with no research, reading with no understanding of punctuation, making the whole experience something to be rushed through - indeed, I sped up the narration, and even skipped a few chapters. The story wasn’t great either, tho tolerable. Sad subject, but, honestly quite boring.