Items related to Vanitas
Synopsis
The moment that Sam Solomon casts his eyes on a stunning erotic drawing that hangs in the apartment of a dying art dealer, he finds himself caught in a tide of confusion and longing. Sam suspects that the drawing, called "Vanitas," has a dramatic story behind it that might answer questions that the art dealer has refused to address—the story of a once tragic love affair, what happened to the artist who created the drawing, and the events surrounding a falsely authenticated 19th century painting that nearly destroyed the art dealer's career.
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Review
In Joseph Olshan's Vanitas (the title refers to a conceit in Dutch art in which the painter would include a memento mori--Latin for "be mindful of dying"--in the midst of vibrant life scenes), the specter of AIDS is an unspoken, and often unacknowledged, motivator for protagonist Sam Solomon. While interviewing world-famed, but now very ill, art collector Elliot Garland in order to ghostwrite his autobiography, Solomon sees a stunning, highly sexual drawing of a near-naked young man on a bed cradling a skull. The picture startles Sam and sets him off on a journey--not only to discover the artist and subject, but into his own life to resolve his conflicting emotional needs: to find what he considers the security of heterosexual family life and yet pursue emotional and sexual relationships with men.
As in his popular, award-winning novels Clara's Heart and Nightswimmer, Olshan understands here how sadness, fear, and even death are the most common shapers of important emotional and erotic experiences. Vanitas is filled with hope and love, but avers that these life-affirming emotions are only achieved after facing the deepest horrors, fears, and terrors of living in the world. --Michael Bronski
About the Author
Joseph Olshan, the award-winning author of five previous novels, one of which, Clara's Heart, became a movie starring Whoopi Goldberg. He has written nonfiction articles and essays for many publications, including the New York Times Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Sunday Times (London), and the Washington Post. He lives in Vermont and New York City.
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- PublisherBloomsbury Pub Ltd
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0747544255
- ISBN 13 9780747544258
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number1
- Number of pages271
- Rating
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Vanitas
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR007813961
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Vanitas
Published by
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 1999
ISBN 10: 0747544255
ISBN 13: 9780747544258
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Vanitas This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780747544258
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.49. Seller Inventory # G0747544255I4N00
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Paperback. 1st Thus edition. Near Fine/Wraps (15922) 1999. Bloomsbury. Paperback. SIGNED BY AUTHOR on title page. As new. . 271. Seller Inventory # 15922
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