I started this book with high hopes, but it just wasn't what I wanted. The writing style was not for me...it felt stilted. On top of it all, I didn't care for the persona of Ms. Guggenheim. I didn't finish the book, something I rarely do. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks for the review copy.I leaned a lot about Peggy’s art collecting and about becoming oneself. The book has an artsy writing style.

This book kept me hooked the entire time - a riveting and poignant exploration of Peggy Guggenheim's extraordinary life.

From the tragedy of losing her father to her journey through the art worlds of New York and Europe, this novel captures Peggy's indomitable spirit and passion for art.

Godfrey's meticulous research and deep empathy shine through, making Peggy's story both compelling and inspiring. Jamison's addition felt entirely seamless and ensures that Godfrey's vision is fully realized. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in art, history, and the incredible life of a woman who defied expectations to leave an indelible mark on the art world. I want moooooore historical fiction like this!

An interesting "biography" of a fascinating lady, but the writing a bit muddy and it's a very depressing story.

The writing style of this book just didn't do it for me. Peggy Guggenheim is a fascinating enough figure that I assumed I could get over it, but it was hard for me to finish this novel because I grew increasingly more frustrated with how it expressed Peggy's thoughts. Even as the story was describing emotional events, I felt as if I was separated from the characters by an ornate stained glass window. The style itself seemed to reinforce a kind of distance from Peggy that made everything seem performative instead of authentic. If that was the author's aim, then she accomplished it. The kind of book I was expecting and hoping for was one with more intimacy.

** spoiler alert ** Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy.

This book is the fictionalized story of Peggy Guggenheim, a wealthy Jewish American heiress born at the turn of the century. You may be familiar with her name due to her eponymous art museum in Venice, Italy which I have visited. My time there was what inspired me to select this book to read.

I thought this book was quite sad and I didn't love the "artsy" writing style. Peggy's father dies on the Titanic when she is a young girl, and throughout her life she experiences the tragic loss of many close family members. She was also an abused wife. I had hoped this story would be a little more uplifting and tell us more about the formation of her art collection in Venice but that is only in the very last chapter.

This book is not poorly written and it is interesting with a lot of name dropping but it just wasn't for me. Three stars.

A novelization of the life of Peggy Guggenheim, she was the middle daughter of two parents from storied Jewish families. Her life changed forever when she was fourteen and her father, Benjamin was among those lost on the Titanic. Even from a young age she felt strongly that she intended to have a meaningful life and she eventually dedicated herself to art, particularly modern art and surrealism. Though she struggled against both sexism and anti-Semitism she made her way through the world in her own spectacular way.

A good book, even though it has some understandable flaws. Rebecca Godfrey worked on the book for ten years and when she realized she would not live to finish it she completed as many notes as she could so that the novel could be completed by another, and Leslie Jamison, who appears to have been one of Godfrey’s teacher’s took on that task. It’s easy to see the work Godfrey did versus what was cobbled together after, and it’s a shame Godfrey was unable to finish the book her way.

The book covers Peggy’s youth, spent with sisters Benita and Hazel (tragedies, both), then her early life in France, her marriage to Laurence Vail, her relationships with Emma Goldman, the suffragette and Samuel Beckett and the very beginning of her first art collection. Perhaps this was the only period of Peggy’s life worth recounting, but that seems doubtful, and I wish we had more. A very enjoyable read and I’m glad Godfrey’s passion project will be published.