Victorine by Drema Drudge is tour-de-force of exquisite writing with a bold female protagonist by the name of Victorine. A woman in pursuit of her own expressive voice in the epic center of the world of art in 1863 Paris, France. At the outset of the story she is the favored model of Manet. But she harbors her secret desire to create works of art of her own. She’s a complex character in multiple ways with a burning compulsions to paint at a pivotal time of art making in Europe.

This is no sweet pansy of muses but a full artistic persona in her own right. She’s opinionated yet vulnerable and insecure in her intellectual astuteness. Through the pages Drudge reveals her sensually wild, exploratory creative appetite seeking visual expression, a character who surprises the reader endlessly.

There are so many wonderful art insights and passages throughout this novel. It is a delight to meet Victorine; to come to know this passionate and frustrated artistic heart. A delight to walk alongside her in the art show rooms, fellow artists eyes upon her as she commands attention with her mere presence, as they seek her opinion and in some cases approval.

As Victorine begins to befriend and feel threatened by other female painters she confront her own inner insecurities, judgements, and the challenges of her social position. All of which prod her on to pursue her own dream to paint.

There are many deep and meaningful nuances throughout this story. Ones that pose questions to the reader around women’s position, power, and place in the world. Women’s agency itself. The author explores the dark under current of the disturbing yet true desires of people.

Drudge has masterfully constructed the intimate world of artists and muse and inner drives to create art whatever the obstacles and cost. The writing is superb throughout, and as for the characterizations of this collection of artistic giants known and unknown. A must read for all those interested in the artistic inner world complexities and wonderous spirits that have given us the pleasure of their enduring works of art still to this day.

Drēma Drudge suffers from Stendhal’s Syndrome, the condition in which one becomes overwhelmed in the presence of great art. She attended Spalding University’s MFA in Creative Writing Program where she learned to transform that intensity into fiction. She and her husband, musician and writer Barry Drudge, live in Indiana where they record their biweekly podcast, ‘Writing All the Things’, when not traveling. Her first novel, Victorine, was literally written in six countries while she and her husband wandered the globe. The pair has two grown children.

In addition to writing fiction, Drēma has served as a writing coach, freelance writer, and educator. For more about her writing, art, and travels, please visit her website, www.dremadrudge.com, and sign up for her newsletter. She’s always happy to connect with readers in her Facebook group, The Painted Word Salon, or on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.