lukija's review against another edition
3.0
Kiinnostava pieni esseeteos William Morrisin ja Mariano Fortunyn tekstiilitaiteesta ja -töistä. Aika: 1800 -luku ja paikat: Englanti ja Venetsia. Tämä ei ole perusteos vaan erikoistunut A.S.Byattin omien mielenkiinnonkohteiden kautta. Enemmän informatiivisia kuin henkilökohtaisia esseitä.
nancj's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
Very interesting but somewhat disjointed.
msmandrake's review against another edition
4.0
I have bogged down in both attempts to read novels by AS Byatt due to her excessive wordiness. I did manage a book of her short stories, and this is only 181 pages, so when kept in check her writing is good. Morris and Fortuny don't have anything in particular in common, they just happen to be favorites of hers, this is actually a sort of ode to the two of them.It makes a nice introduction. I am quite familiar with Morris, but wasn't so much with Fortuny. Overall this is a lovely little book.
kimswhims's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up secondhand at a bookfair because I have an interest in Morris, Venice and A.S Byatt's writing. It is also a gorgeously produced little book.
I was spurred onto read it because there is a gorgeous Pre-Raphelite exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia and it seemed like a good time to read it.
It did give me a taste of all those things plus I learnt a little about Fortuny's textile art. There are also some quotes of Ruskin and Proust that were interesting.
Really needed more depth for a higher rating but it was good none the less.
I was spurred onto read it because there is a gorgeous Pre-Raphelite exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia and it seemed like a good time to read it.
It did give me a taste of all those things plus I learnt a little about Fortuny's textile art. There are also some quotes of Ruskin and Proust that were interesting.
Really needed more depth for a higher rating but it was good none the less.
attytheresa's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute jewel of a book!
A.S. Byatt, long a lover of the quintessentially British work and design of William Morris, visits Venice and sets out to learn more about the work of the quintessentially Mediterranean designer Mariano Fortuny, born a generation after Morris. What she discovers is that each inevitably brings to mind the other.
The book is richly illustrated with images of most of the specific works discussed at length. In addition are photographs of their respective homes, workspaces, and wives, all of which play an important role in each artisan's development.
This little book is not only for those enamored of either Morris or Fortuny, but also for all intrigued by craft, design, artisan process, textile, embroidery, or Proust. That's right, Proust and his grand work 'A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu' are discussed as Fortuny is the only living artist given recognition in the story, and in an influential way.
I read this as my book with pictures for the 2017 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge.
.
A.S. Byatt, long a lover of the quintessentially British work and design of William Morris, visits Venice and sets out to learn more about the work of the quintessentially Mediterranean designer Mariano Fortuny, born a generation after Morris. What she discovers is that each inevitably brings to mind the other.
The book is richly illustrated with images of most of the specific works discussed at length. In addition are photographs of their respective homes, workspaces, and wives, all of which play an important role in each artisan's development.
This little book is not only for those enamored of either Morris or Fortuny, but also for all intrigued by craft, design, artisan process, textile, embroidery, or Proust. That's right, Proust and his grand work 'A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu' are discussed as Fortuny is the only living artist given recognition in the story, and in an influential way.
I read this as my book with pictures for the 2017 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge.
.
bthegood's review
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Well written, not a topic I was interested in - read for reading challenge for author Byatt - could not find her "spooky" books at the library -
rdebner's review against another edition
3.0
I read this extended essay on the works of William Morris and Mariano Fortuny on the recommendation of an art historian. It was a bit meandering and sometimes a bit hard to follow, but there was also something pleasing in the more organic structure of the essay that seemed to fit its subject.
sharon_geitz's review against another edition
3.0
A nice little book, in some ways, reading it felt like being conversation with Byatt about a shared interest, particularly in regard to William Morris. Fortuny I really knew nothing about until reading this book, so on that point I learnt something. A charming, informative read.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
This is really more of an essay than a book, a fact that Byatt does acknowledge. There is quite a bit of Byatt in here. It's more of a mediation on the two artists than anything. Still a fascinating read.