Book Reviews
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The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels | Historical Fiction | 2024
“But doesn’t that speak to genius? […] To blaze one’s own path rather than merely copy the style of someone with more name recognition?”
The release of so many diverse historical fiction in recent years warms my heart, but The Lady with the Dark Hair is a story for women who yearn to see strong female characters in diverse historical backdrops.
The novel follows two timelines, a present-day art collector and the story of the ancestor that she admires. Esther Markstrom has always been fond of her ancestor’s work. To her, legendary painter Francisco Vella doesn’t get enough recognition. Her favorite painting of his is surrounded in mystery—a beautiful woman, dressed in blue, her identity lost through the years. Readers are giddy to discover the identity long before Esther does, an orphan-turned-fugitive named Viviana Torrens, who discovers her own artistic ability under the teachings of Francisco.
“It shows a tremendous control of one’s technique, a good deal of talent, a clear understanding of color theory, good lines. And the caverns twisting inside of the figure—they’re fascinating and haunting and beautiful. But […] Are you sure it’s his?”
This story felt special to me from the first pages. The female characters are powerful, resourceful, using their life experiences to navigate the challenges they face throughout the story. Viviana, at the start of the novel, leaves her homeland of Spain for French society, eventually making her way into Africa and Gibraltar before finding her way on a ship destined for the Americas. Many years later, Esther embarks on a similar journey to uncover the truth behind the stories she has always been told and the actual events that took place.
There are moments of the story that leave the reader giggling and kicking their feet in anticipation. The reader makes the much-needed connections between the two characters way before they do, and it’s great to see how the author has woven history and present-day realities to great a story of identity and belonging.
Artists of many mediums litter the pages, from Viviana’s distinct painting style that separates her from Vella’s work, to Esther’s mother, who—while struggling with mental illness—dutifully creates self portraits year after year, through the evolution of her art. The artists allow the reader to reflect on how identity changes throughout a lifetime, and how personal history reflects that identity.
The novel is medium-paced, but keeps the reader engaged with an intriguing story that spans centuries and entire continents. I loved the way Bartels’ voice shone throughout the work, crafting carefully created dialogue and challenges that feel realistic. There are mentions of language barriers, political intrigue, and how a woman moves through the world, both in the past and present.
Readers of historical fiction will find this book fun and engaging, exploring a unique history not usually seen in the genre. It’s one of those books that allows a reader to lose themselves in the story in a sort or omnipresent way, knowing things well before the characters themselves do, but that’s what makes it fun. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Click here to purchase this novel from my Bookshop.