In Sunlight or In Shadow

Many, many thanks to Lawrence Block for creating an anthology of short story narratives based upon the paintings of Edward Hopper. Each story serves as an inspiration or focal point for one of seventeen stories written by well-known and should be better known authors. These include Stephen King, Meg Abbott, Robert Olen Butler, Joyce Carol Oates, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Jeffrey Deaver and Lawrence Block.

Reading this book was an adventure in art and literature for me. I enjoyed every element. First there was a full-color picture of the painting. In my head I tried to anticipate what the story would be about. This was followed by the title, story and author’s name. If I knew the authors, I would anticipate how they would interpret the paintings within the framework of their writings. To my delight, I was constantly surprised. Many of the authors I did not know will soon be on my “to read” list. And, the next time I am near an art museum with a Hopper exhibit or painting – I’m going!

What is a famous artist without controversy? Gail Levin, a curator at the Whitney of the Edward Hopper collection, provided a fictionalized account regarding just such an event. I was off to my computer to learn more and check out Hopper’s life and view images of his other works.

This title was so addictive, both in presentation and story, that I immediately went back to look at some of the paintings and re-read their stories – just to better understand how the author connected to Hopper.

I do not know if other anthologies combining artwork and authors have been attempted, but "In Sunlight or in Shadow" sets a very high bar. Lawrence Block has no doubt moved on to other novels and writings, but I would love to read other books that use this concept to such great effect. Highly recommended.

Writing stories about Edward Hopper's paintings was brilliant. Having them side by side lends a whole new depth to the art. I enjoyed each author's view of their chosen painting. Truly engaging.

In this marvelous collection of Noir short stories inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper, Lawrence Block lets lose the creative genius of some of the top authors of 2016, including, but not limited to, Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Lee Childs, and Michael Connelly.

In Lee Childs's "The Truth About What Happened," an FBI agent, racing against the looming era of Joe McCarthy, tells the story of an elderly gentlemen, his young wife and youngish mother-in-law. Inspired by Hopper's 1943, painting, "Hotel Lobby," it's hard not be awed by Childs's genius.

In "Girlie Show," based on Hopper's 1941, painting of the same name, Megan Abbott crafts an exquisite story, set in the 1940s, of an aging wife with still-beautiful breasts and her artistic, egocentric, blind-to-her-charms, husband. Only after the wife is brought back to life, and self-esteem, by friendship with a red-haired stripper, does the thick fog lift that had been obscuring the despair-drenched marital relationship.

In "The Story of Caroline," after 38 years of marriage, Richard is dying, and Grace is remembering the baby she gave up when she was 16. Hannah, a 40 year old Hospice nurse who was adopted at birth, is there to give Grace respite in Richard's last days. As Grace and Hannah deal with his looming death, they reveal secrets to each other. Hopper's "Summer Evening" from 1947, brimming with the longing and hope of young love, and the look and feel of a hot summer's night, clearly inspired Jill D. Block; her writing is magnificent.

This book proves that Noir is not dead. It is brilliant, it is inspired, and it is filled with short stories that will haunt you.