Reading 1001 discussion

What I Loved is a novel written by American writer Siri Hustvedt first published in 2003 by Hodder and Stoughton in London. It is written from the point of view of Leo Hertzberg, an art historian living in New York. The author herself grew up in Northfield, Minnesota, and then moved to New York in 1978.

The work follows the relationship between Leo and artist, Bill Wechsler and the close ties between each of the characters' families. It explores themes of love, loss, art and psychology.
-Wikipedia

Questions (added to this top post after we've discussed them below so others starting later can see all the questions listed in order)
1. What are your expectations for this book? Have you read any others by this author? What did you think?
2. The book opens with a painting and the emotions it elicited in both the subject of the painting and the observer - passion, love, etc. Is there a painting that has elicited strong emotions, questions, or memories for you? Post a photo/or link to that painting and let us know what kind of impact it had on you.
3. Love is a central theme in the book and its importance is reflected in the title. What forms of love are you finding in the book so far?
4. What are some examples of types of love you have experienced in your own life?"
5. Why do you think that Bill titled the painting Self-Portrait? What clues does that give to us about what kind of story might be developing?
6. What do you think of the characters? Who do you like, dislike, identify with/relate to, feel lack of connection to? Do you know anyone like any of these characters?

I am starting with a clean slate. I have not read anything else by the author and I do not know much about the book.

Me either. I know nothing about it or the author. I hope it is more about the grief and psychology than the love. I don't generally enjoy romance. I have the book on order at the library. Hopefully it comes quickly.

Just as a point of interest: Siri Hustvedt and Paul Auster are married.

I haven’t read anything by the author. I think I remember someone saying it is good. I know it has something about art.

Thanks Tracy, I didn’t know that and I like those bits of info.

I have never read anything by this author but that fact that she is married to Paul Auster is very interesting. Two very cerebral authors living well together is nice to think about. My expectations are fairly high. I love reading about the art world in general.

I have never heard of her, was surprised that the book was available in my local library and intrigued that she had several other books on the shelves.

Knowing nothing about the book, I have no expectations. I had never heard of this author, but her marriage to Paul Auster increases my interest.

I am embarrassed to admit that I do not know Paul Auster either.

Kelly wrote: "I am embarrassed to admit that I do not know Paul Auster either."
Paul Auster has 5 books on the 1001 list. I’ve read two of them, both were short books, I read Timbuktu twice and while his books are short, there is a lot in them.

Tracy wrote: "Just as a point of interest: Siri Hustvedt and Paul Auster are married."

I didn't realize that until I read the dedication "for Paul Auster" so looked it up. Thanks Tracy.

A Few more questions for this week

1. The book opens with a painting and the emotions it elicited in both the subject of the painting and the observer - passion, love, etc. Is there a painting that has elicited strong emotions, questions, or memories for you? Post a photo/or link to that painting and let us know what kind of impact it had on you.

2. Why do you think that Bill titled the painting Self-Portrait? What clues does that give to us about what kind of story might be developing?

Two paintings came to my mind when I read this question. I was not able to figure out how to post a photo so here are the links. First painting is the Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius. It was a prominent subject of the book by Donna Tartt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gol....

The second is The Woman in Gold by Gustav Klimt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrai...

Both of these paintings had great history and I would like to see both of these paintings in real life one day.

I also could not figure out how to post a photo. Here is the link to a painting that I have spent a great deal of time with. I would visit it regularly at the art museum when I was a child because it spoke to other lives, other cultures, other worlds altogether different from my own. There is something of what is happening in the painting in the book also. The subject, so to speak, is actually in the background. In the book, the subject is in the shadows.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_... Dead_Watching

Gail wrote: "I also could not figure out how to post a photo. Here is the link to a painting that I have spent a great deal of time with. I would visit it regularly at the art museum when I was a child because ..."
The link isn't taking me to a painting. Sorry I should have posted image or link to image since I think it can be tricky to post an image if you don't have a photo site to link to.

Opps, Goodreads edited my link. Just google Spirit of the Dead Watching. Manao Tupapau

Diane wrote: "Two paintings came to my mind when I read this question. I was not able to figure out how to post a photo so here are the links. First painting is the Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius. It was a promine..."

I almost thought about posting this Klimt painting:

https://www.icanvas.com/canvas-print/...

Gail wrote: "Opps, Goodreads edited my link. Just google Spirit of the Dead Watching. Manao Tupapau"

Thanks! Interesting painting to be drawn to as a child although I can see how it would elicit lots of potential emotions/reactions. I like how you've linked it to the book in terms of background characters. Thanks for sharing.

Gail wrote: "I have never read anything by this author but that fact that she is married to Paul Auster is very interesting. Two very cerebral authors living well together is nice to think about. My expectation..."

I agree. Auster tends to inject a lot of himself and his life into his books. I wonder if Siri does the same. She's certainly interested in exploring art and literature.

An few more questions for discussion...

Love is a central theme in the book and its importance is reflected in the title. What forms of love are you finding in the book so far?

What are some examples of types of love you have experienced in your own life?"

I also like the picture of Goldfinch and The Woman in Gold and The Kiss reminds me of the Woman in Gold. My favorite paintings are usually Van Gogh. I have Starry Starry Night in my office and almost everyone is drawn to it.

There is something else this book is bringing to my mind in the first few pages (I am not very far). I am not sure what it is but the description of the pictures reminds me of another book I read about art. I think it was Before the Fall because the description of the painting with the shadow, the foot and the bruise is really captivating.

FYI: I'm planning on leading this discussion by adding new questions every few days or so. I'll also add these questions to my top post as I go along each week so that people joining in later can see the full list of questions in the order we are discussing them here.

Jen wrote: "FYI: I'm planning on leading this discussion by adding new questions every few days or so. I'll also add these questions to my top post as I go along each week so that people joining in later can s..."

I am enjoying the discussion so far... but was a little late getting started

Kristel wrote: "Jen wrote: "FYI: I'm planning on leading this discussion by adding new questions every few days or so. I'll also add these questions to my top post as I go along each week so that people joining in..."

I do love seeing the paintings/artwork members are posting! There have been some really great ones posted. I"m finding it a great book for discussion.

I have always been a bit obsessed with Starry Night by Van Gogh. I own a lot of stuff with that theme. It has always reminded me of my hometown and its beautiful summer skies at night.

I am not that far into the book but already there is a discussion of the love of self, the love of a parent who is too distant to show love, the love of the unique characteristics of one’s own children, the love between friends and of course, marital fidelity, not to mention love of art and poetry. All this without being a romance. Or maybe it is a unique kind of romance. It is oddly slow reading I am finding because so much has to be considered.

Diane wrote: "I have always been a bit obsessed with Starry Night by Van Gogh. I own a lot of stuff with that theme. It has always reminded me of my hometown and its beautiful summer skies at night."

Where is your home town? I too love that painting.

Gail wrote: "I am not that far into the book but already there is a discussion of the love of self, the love of a parent who is too distant to show love, the love of the unique characteristics of one’s own chil..."

I agree with you, so much to consider! Did you identify with any of the forms of love mentioned so far?

Yes, the description of loving yourself and loving the other is really ringing true to me. How you need to be able to put yourself in the position of knowing what the other person is thinking and needing in order to not only get but give love. It is clearly articulated with eroticism when Erica says (to paraphrase) that she had to be the man looking as well as the one being looked at to get aroused. Even the discussion of “turn four” was an interesting insight into loving how others think, which triggers a deep emotional reaction.

Jen wrote: "Where is your home town? I too love that painting. "

Eastport, Maine

Like others have mentioned love is found between parent and child, spouses, friends, etc. After I read this question I came upon these passages.

"Jack's love objects weren't necessarily pretty, but they were always bright."

"I couldn't remember whether Jack had said he loved Tina or Delia or Jane. I thought of Lucille then and the curious distinction she had made between "strong interest" and the state of being "in love."

"Not once in all the years of my marriage had I asked myself whether I loved Erica."

The theme of love is permeated throughout the novel, so far, and like Gail said without being a romance.

What do you think of the characters? Who do you like, dislike, identify with/relate to, feel lack of connection to? Do you know anyone like any of these characters?

Jen wrote: "A Few more questions for this week

1. The book opens with a painting and the emotions it elicited in both the subject of the painting and the observer - passion, love, etc. Is there a painting th..."

1. Yes, I love the painting The Storm. I feel like the couple looks so content and together. It is romantic and sweet despite the fact that they are running through a storm. For me it speaks to our ability to buffer each other up when we go through the hard moments of life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sto...

Kristel wrote: "I also like the picture of Goldfinch and The Woman in Gold and The Kiss reminds me of the Woman in Gold. My favorite paintings are usually Van Gogh. I have Starry Starry Night in my office and almo..."

In 2012 I stood in front of Starry Starry Night for at least 15 minutes. It was the only reason I visited the MoMA. It is stunning in real life. The depth of his strokes. The texture. Incredible.

Just an aside... I hate the no-chapters thing.

With you on the no chapters issue. It has confused my timeframes a couple of times not to have some way of calling out the shift.
I was liking the narrator very much in the beginning but now I have stepped back. Bill is too much the object for me to like, although he is interesting. I am not sure about any of the women in their entirety although again they are all three very interesting. Strangely, I simply like Bernie and both Mark and Matt very much.

Kelly wrote: "Just an aside... I hate the no-chapters thing."

I agree.

Jen wrote: "An few more questions for discussion...

Love is a central theme in the book and its importance is reflected in the title. What forms of love are you finding in the book so far?
"

Romantic love, friendship love, love of family, love of art, love of careers and other intellectual pursuits, (view spoiler)[love of money (in Mark's case) (hide spoiler)].

What are some examples of types of love you have experienced in your own life?"

Romantic love, love of children, love of family, love of friends, love of pets, etc.

Jen wrote: "What do you think of the characters? Who do you like, dislike, identify with/relate to, feel lack of connection to? Do you know anyone like any of these characters?"

I can relate to all of them in different ways. Some of the characters I didn't particularly care about or lacked connection with in the beginning of the book grew on me as the story line progressed.

How far along are people? Have you started section 2 yet? What are your thoughts so far? I'm having all kinds of feelings (after just starting part two). Make sure to add spoilers in your discussion for those haven't reached part 2 yet.

Diane wrote: "Jen wrote: "Where is your home town? I too love that painting. "

Eastport, Maine"

Lovely. I can imagine the stars at night are beautiful so no wonder the painting reminds you of your home town.

What do you think of the connection between art and life as portrayed in this book? How do characters use art to manage emotions? To reflect their lives, to connect with others? What are some examples of how artistic pursuits (e.g., Bill's works, Violet's books, Leo's writing) are connected with the things happening in their lives?

Hustvedt wrote that art is what happens in the relationship between the viewer and the thing viewed. In this case, Leo is the viewer, and one can argue that he views the lives and relationships of the people around him as unique art forms. That's my take on it, anyway.

An example of using art to manage emotions can be seen in (view spoiler)[ Mark. Mark, seems incapable of certain emotions. That may be why he chooses to follow an artist who's extreme art portrays strong and violent subject matter. (hide spoiler)]

Art plays a big role in the connection of the characters. Leo and Bill met after Leo discovered, and ultimately purchased, his artwork. His job as an art historian led him there. This was the start of their lifelong friendship and the key event that jump-started Bill's career. Violet was the model in the portrait. Her life became closely connected to the other characters in different ways and altered the paths of their lives. Violet wrote books about abnormal psychology and eating disorders. Psychology was a large theme throughout the book. (view spoiler)[ We can see a theme of "hunger" in Violet's books and research. This hunger is also manifested by other characters through their mediums of choice or emotions (hide spoiler)] Matt expressed himself through his drawings. Mark through his collages and different personas. Other characters connect through literature. Gender and gender ambiguity is explored through various art forms. Bill's artwork expressed both concerns of the past (i.e. the Holocaust) as well as concerns with present relationships (i.e. doors, mirrors, etc.). (view spoiler)[Leo collects art and collects items that represent those closest to him and saves them in a drawer. The only character not represented was Lucille, which indicates that he never really felt close to her. (hide spoiler)].

Kelly wrote: "Just an aside... I hate the no-chapters thing."

Kelly I am with you on this one. But I will add that as I have finished part one I am getting used to it.

Another thing that frustrated me about the book was the narration. Leo, a male character written by a female author, wasn't a very convincing male to me. I would often forget that he was male, lol. Now that I have finished the book, I realize that maybe that was part of the theme, since there is a sense of sexual ambiguity and blurring of gender roles throughout the book.

Diane wrote: "Another thing that frustrated me about the book was the narration. Leo, a male character written by a female author, wasn't a very convincing male to me. I would often forget that he was male, lol...."

Yes! This was bothering me too. I remember thinking that Leo’s musings as a father sound like a woman wrote them.

Jen wrote: "How far along are people? Have you started section 2 yet? What are your thoughts so far? I'm having all kinds of feelings (after just starting part two). Make sure to add spoilers in your discussio..."

I have not started section 2 yet. But I intend to finish the book in the next 2 to 3 days.

Jen wrote: "Diane wrote: "Another thing that frustrated me about the book was the narration. Leo, a male character written by a female author, wasn't a very convincing male to me. I would often forget that he ..."

I think it is how we define male & female roles that is wrong. We don't all fit into boxes. He actually reminds me a lot of my husband who was a stay at home dad for the first few years of our kids lives. I was a lawyer then and he was a student so he did the majority of childcare. His bond with our kids was very similar to that of most moms. Women are often given more chance to create those bonds than men are.

Kelly wrote: "Jen wrote: "Diane wrote: "Another thing that frustrated me about the book was the narration. Leo, a male character written by a female author, wasn't a very convincing male to me. I would often for..."

I think you bring up a good point. I wasn’t referring to gender roles but rather something about the way in which Leo discussed his son that seemed to me unbelievable but perhaps that is because I have a gendered lens through which I made the evaluation.