I read this during the long hot summer in the shade and I really could not put this book down. This is four stories that connect to the painter Piero Della Francesca and The Resurection which is in the Italian town of Sansepocro. Three of her characters are real with some poetic license. All her characters have a strong connection with this famous painting.There is the painting iteself, the artist and family, Mary Hutchinson member of the Bloomsbury set related to the author and an insight into this set and Virgina Woolf, to Clary a conservator and Tiego a journalist in 2014 - the background to a painting and paints used furthered my interest in art and the art world, From Africa and World War 2 a British Captain disobaying orders to bomb the Tuscan town which houses what he feels is the greatest paining ever painted risks everyting.Really interesting how the author has woven the painting and characters so well together mixing fiction with fact but such a well researched story.Not due for publication until the beginning of the new year and 2027. But I would say well worth pre odering this.
I was staying on the Craster Family Estate this summer and this book was part of Mary Craster's books. What a fascinating book. I learnt the demise was not juat due to the death duty taxes after the second world war. There was a number of factors and the first world war ( or as Sir Roy Strong describes as the hallocaust of 1914-1918. Heirs were dying on the fields of Flanders, Somme and Pascendale to name a few of the "bloody" battles.Interesting also was the parts concerning the history of the country houses, 1934 and the National Trust. The Government felt it would be better to focus on the houses rather than the parklands.The black and white photographs told the story well. Amazing this books is 50 odd years old now. Thankfully we as a nation now appreciate old buildings which is our heritage.Really interesting and would love to read a follow up.Well researched and execute book.
