Spanning three hundred years of art history, The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession tells the stories of those with an insatiable hunger for creation – those who may sacrifice friendships, careers, romance, and even their own happiness in pursuit of a vision.
Weaving art styles such as Cubism, Surrealism, and the Baroque into his prose, Jake Kendall has crafted a vivid and inventive collection. Each story is complemented by a black and white illustration, drawing out the visually evocative nature of the writing and offering readers a unique artistic delight.
The author takes a famous painting (or maybe not so famous) and creates a story about it. So this is a book with several short stories about artwork.
I’ll say this right off, I am no fan of art. What I know about art could probably fit into a shot glass and have room left over. It’s just not my thing. But I do love stories and this is an anthology filled with stories that happen to be about art. I was a little hesitant at first to accept this for review because of my non-existent interest in art, but the stories sounded fascinating (they are!), so I decided to give it a go. I’m so glad I did! The writing is top notch. Each story unfolds at a perfect pace and they are a wonder to behold. I even like the illustrations. Will wonders never cease? I highly recommend this collection of excellent art tales!
Jake Kendall was born in Oxford and studied an MSc in Creative Writing with the University of Edinburgh. He takes inspiration from the visual arts, a theme that formed his debut collection. The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession (Neem Tree Press) refracts contemporary issues and anxieties through timeless imagery and artistic movements. Jake lives and works in Edinburgh and spends his free time visiting bookshops, exhibitions, theatre, and independent cinemas.
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