I read this when it was first published but reached for it again during this current time we are all living in where we cannot freely travel with the ease of “before pandemic”. When I would read books like this I would think, well yes I will do this one day or at least walk in the footsteps of the writer. Now I am not as sure, every day travel advisories change. So it is in this spirit I picked up A Month In Siena. It’s a beautiful book capturing the relationship between Matar and eight masterpieces from the Sienese School of Painting 13th to 15th centuries. His month is one to fully embrace now more than ever. I am glad I waited to review it as this book means even more to me now.

Because I do not put negative reviews on my blog, I will say a few words here to justify why I didn't enjoy this memoir, reflection? I love the art of northern Italy, the early Renaissance and all the work that followed, and I teach art history in a local high school; therefore, I was keen to read Matar's book. While I acknowledge the time and care that he spent before each painting and what it meant to him, I'm less interested in his personal musings than I am in the paintings and their context themselves. I cannot fault Matar for writing the book HE wanted to write, it simply did not engage me.

It's okay. Part travelogue, part philosophical meanderings on paintings that the author likes, it ultimately is a joy-ride for the author alone. I felt it was a prestige / self-promotional / egotistical project.

Still, thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

A few years ago, I read this author's earlier work, The Return, for a class that I was taking. It was truly an extraordinary book written by a writer of immense talent. The story of the author's return to Libya and his quest (it really is one) to learn more about his father, the book was moving and thought provoking. As soon as I saw this title on NetGalley, I so hoped that I would be provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my review.

So, here I am highly recommending this book to you. It tells the story of how Matar, following The Return, planned a trip to Sienna. For reasons that he describes, the work of painters from this region were important to him. He almost did not make it. Luckily for the reader, he did.

Matar writes about where he stayed and his experience of the paintings that he came to see. It is a wonderful book by a writer with fluid grace. A couple of quotes to give you an idea.

On a bad plane ride:

I remember thinking I did not mind dying-that it would have to come at some point-but that I was not quite ready yet, that dying now would be a waste, given how much time I had spent learning how to live.

On the school of painting:

They believe that what we share is more than what sets us apart. The Sienna School is hopeful but also flattering...

By challenging the imagination they nudge our perception a little and, for an instant at least, the world is remade.

I highly recommend this book. It is special. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

I wanted to love this book. Its short memoir, under 150 pages. The author, Hisham Matar travels with his wife, Diana, to Siena, Italy to see paintings from the Siennese School. While I enjoyed the author's descriptions of the paintings, their impact on the author, and the reproductions of the paintings
themselves that are mentioned found within the book, it was just okay. It didn't capture my attention as much as I hoped it would. That being said, it was still a good book overall and I think others would enjoy it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.