This beautiful book introduces Georgia O'Keeffe to us in a fictionalized autobiography that is astounding for its descriptive language. One could almost believe that Georgia wrote it, with the very painterly descriptions of the world around her. It covers Georgia's entire life, but is focused primarily upon her relationship with her mentor, lover, manager, and later husband, Alfred Stieglitz. The book shares Georgia's passion for painting as well as her passion for Stieglitz, and it makes her struggle to free herself from her own Pygmalion story. Stieglitz has one goal for Georgia, which is freeing when she first meets him and then stifling as she grows into her own artist. Both Georgia and Stieglitz, as well as many of the supporting characters, are fully realized through Tripp's writing, as are the city, country, and New Mexican landscapes.

Toward the end, as Georgia loses Stieglitz and fully becomes herself, the book races through decades quickly, and we lose some of the insightfulness of the early pages. Nonetheless, this is a fascinating and compelling historical novel.

Painter Georgia O'Keeffe's relationship with photographer Alfred Stieglitz contributed to her fame and her independence.
Dawn Tripp paints their first meeting with O'Keeffe just missing the first showing of her works. No problem: The photographer rehangs the show and takes pictures of the painter with them. She follows his advice to focus on the huge flowers and achieves fame. He divorces and they eventually marry.
As years go by she is drawn to New Mexico for inspiration and room away from Stieglitz to make her art.
Tripp's book fills in the details of O'Keeffe's early career.

My mother took me to see a Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit when I was a child and it sticks out so vividly in my mind as one of the greatest days we shared. She is a fascinating American figure and I enjoyed this book that focused on her relationship with Alfred Stieglitz.