After Tin Man--one of my favourite books from the last decade--I eagerly anticipated Winman’s new novel. The advance copy of Still Life came to me during a moment of extreme emotional turmoil, and it did what amazing literature does: it gave me solace, and provided shelter and comfort. Winman's writing is absolutely brilliant; the way she builds her characters makes you feel like you’ve known them for ages, and their dialogue and banter are so inviting you almost feel a part of each discussion. The book opens against the backdrop of World War II Tuscany. The young British soldier Ulysses meets the sixty-something English spinster Evelyn, and over the course of an evening they form a bond that will last a lifetime. As the narrative goes back and forth between post-war London and Tuscany--spanning decades--we follow the characters' lives and meet an array of others, all with different personalities that mesh perfectly; these are friends that become family. Winman's sensibility absolutely shines through this novel, engaging us with the warmth of the interactions, the what-if elements, the meaning of family, art, passion, broken hearts, friendships, and love, so much love…
