I chose to read this book because I love historical fiction, but this book turned out to be both more and different than I expected. I really loved the alternating POV chapters that went from main character, Remedios Varo, to other people that she was interacting with. I especially loved the way the new POVs were introduced via the tarot card intro. It added such a fun layer and was really informative for someone who knows nothing about tarot. I also loved that it began during WWII but was a very different perspective than most books set during that time. Initially, because I know very little about surrealists and art, I didn’t realize that most of the characters in the book were real people!! It literally took them meeting Frida Kahlo for me to be like, let me Wikipedia these people… but for me at least, that eventual reveal made it even cooler. I am sure a savvier reader than I would have picked that up sooner, but hey 🤷🏼‍♀️ Great book, 4.5-5 stars from me

Alchemy of a Blackbird by Claire McMillan is an entertaining historical fiction read based on the true story of the 20th-century painters and tarot devotees Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington.
Claire McMillan gives a vivid accounting and a superbly written novel.
This story is well-written and hard to put down.
I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from her in the future.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book was so amazing. It was the cover the drew me in initially but the writing and story were intriguing as well.

I really enjoyed this story and have already recommended it to a couple of people with an interest in art and tarot.

I have almost reached a saturation point for WWII narratives but the fresh angle on this one was perfect. I spent several years teaching art to elementary students and never knew about these ladies and their contribution to Surrealism. I stopped reading at various points to look up the works mentioned in the story, and I definitely wish I'd had the chance to build assignments around some of these pieces!

I know opinions are mixed on the use of tarot cards as characterization tools, but I liked it (once I figured out the trick). I feel like the unique voices of the side characters enrich the story by offering details and connections that Remedios's perspective can't. It's a different take on a traditional Greek chorus.

I only have two real critiques. First, the timeline is quite murky. I'd love to see some references to what year it is, even if it's only a subheading at the beginning of each chapter. I don't like it when I can't place characters within the passage of time and most of this story seems like it's happening in the space of weeks. Only later does someone mention that years have gone by since the previous events.

My second critique is with the anachronistic use of modern terminology when it comes to psychiatric treatment. The author's gentle use of "mental illness", "mental hospital", etc. are far removed from the brutal view of severe psychiatric illness at the time. Lobotomies were still common and mainstream language of the time preferred "lunatic" , "madness" and "asylum". Similarly, Peggy Guggenheim references having had enough psychoanalysis to know that she chooses difficult men. At this point in history, psychoanalysis was still convincing women that they had penis envy, hysteria, and innate inferiority complexes by nature of being born female. There was no nuanced look at relationship choices, it was just about women wishing they had their very own dick to swing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I received a copy of this book, I was quite interested as I had read Leonora in the Morning Light 2 years ago and knew this book would be featuring her as well, though in a different capacity. And while that book went through a good portion of her life, I don't remember any mention of Remedios Varo. Like with Leonora in the Morning Light, I read up on Remedios before starting and would pause throughout the book to look up her various paintings or read about some of the other people mentioned in the book.

This drew me in pretty quickly; the setting of Paris at the start of the war and her flight from there to Marseilles and eventually to Mexico was captivating, though there was plenty of information missing. I enjoyed reading about her and the other surrealists, most of which I didn't know much about beforehand. The way the author incorporated the tarot cards was pretty unique, though I have read it has confused other readers. Each card represented a different person in the story who would talk from their perspective either about Remedios or other important parts of the story. Each card also gave a description of what that card was and you could see how each card related to the person who was currently speaking. I enjoyed this take on story telling, though I can see how it would confuse people.

My biggest issue with this book is the huge jumps in time with very little telling of there being an actual time jump. You'll be reading one chapter and go on to the next thinking it takes place in the same timeframe, only to find out halfway through the chapter that 10 years have actually passed in between the two. Some dating on the chapters would help to know when things are taking place instead of trying to guess. The other issue is I wish there had been more backstory or more telling of certain events. I can understand why some was left out, but I think the story would have benefitted from telling of a few more things.

The book ends pretty abruptly, which is actually fitting in this case as Remedios Varo's life ended rather abruptly as well. It's a case of art imitating life; both end unexpectedly, though you wish they hadn't. I recommend as this is being read to look through her various paintings, as they help give life and meaning to the story.

I love historical fiction books about artists in 1930’s Paris. I have previously read about Lenora Carrington and Max Ernst and of course Peggy Guggenheim. This book was interesting because it introduced me to Remedios Varo but also had some of the other other artists I have previously read about. I also really like how this one dove into tarot and the occult. Overall, this was a really internet read and I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you Net Galley, the publisher and author for allowing me access to the book for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a historical novel based on the lives of two women artists Remedios Varro and Leonora Carrington. But this book is so much more! it’s the story of their collaboration and their devoted friendship that carried them through the terrors of war and their own personal challenging journeys.

The story is told in the most fascinating way, by using the art of reading The Tarrot to guide you through the story. The authors use and description of the Tarrot was total genius in my opinion. Not only did we learn how important mysticism was during this time in history but gives us an insight on how people use readings to guide them through their daily lives. For me the addition of a bit of magic made the story come alive. I know all fans of books about the importance of true friendship between women and the desire to reach the height of their potential will love this book.

Painter Remedios Varo and her lover, poet Benjamin Peret escape the Nazis by fleeing Paris and arriving at a safe house for artists on the Rivieria. Along with Max Ernst, Peggy Guggenheim, and others, the two anxiously wait for exit papers. As the months pass, Remedios begins to sense that the others don’t see her as a fellow artist; they have cast her in the stifling role of a surrealist ideal: the beautiful innocent. She finds refuge in a mysterious bookshop, where she stumbles into a world of occult learning and intensifies an esoteric practice in the tarot that helps her light the bright fire of her creative genius. When travel documents come through, Remedios and Benjamin flee to Mexico where she is reunited with friend and fellow painter Leonora Carrington. Together, they each tap into heir creativity, stake their independence, and each find their true loves. But it is the tarot that enables them to access the transcendent that lies on the other side of consciousness and to become the truest Surrealists of all.

I was offered this book to read by the publisher. When I realized that it centered on the tarot and the occult, I almost did not read it as I don't believe in either, but the story itself was an interesting and well researched description of several well known artists of the time. The author did a lot of research into the tarot, surrealism and the occult to make her descriptions as accurate as possible. Anyone interested in the above topics will like the book but not one of my favorites only because I don't believe in the topics Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the offer of the book to read. My review is based solely on my personal beliefs, not on the quality of the writing or descriptions.

This book was an incredibly refreshing read! I’m not normally one for WWII historical fiction, but since the majority of the plot focuses on the war’s after effects on the characters, I was easily drawn in. I loved learning about these incredible women who refused to just be muses and instead create art of their own.

Look for a podcast episode to drop on the book’s birthday.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Remedios and Leonora are two good friends living with their lovers in France. When the war picks up, they are separated by circumstance. Happily, they meet again in Mexico.

Honestly, I found this book to be plodding and pretentious. The first part of the chapter is from Remedios' pov and then switches to a random side characters POV for the end of the chapter. This book could have been so much shorter without the unneeded side character points of view. I actually stopped reading at about 85% when BUTTERFLIES were the side character. I just couldn't read more.

The men in this book are also insufferable. They preach lofty ideas but aren't willing to put in any work. They grated my nerves terribly. I found Remedios interesting in the first half of the book when she's very into tarot, but by the time they get to Mexico, she barely mentions it anymore. Instead, all the story is people telling her what an incredible artist she is and that she needs to create her own art and her saying she isn't good enough. It becomes both repetitive and boring.

Like I said, I DNF'd this at about 85%. It sucks to make it that far and stop, but I realized that I just genuinely didn't care how the book ended. I'd rather move on to something more interesting.

historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, tarot, art, artist, WW2, France, friendship, friends, mysticism, love, Mexico, surrealism, art-history****

An interesting tale of personal and artistic growth and development at a time in history when it was beyond challenging. I felt out of my depth in it, but I do have a friend who will go nutz over it!
I requested and received an EARC from Atria Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Delighted to include this title in the July edition of Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

3.5 Stars

Set in 1939 in Paris, as it begins, this story revolves around art, artists, friendship, love and an attraction to the tarot and occultism. The main focus being on Remedios Varo, her friendship with Leonora Carrington, also an artist, living in a time when France is on the verge of being invaded by Germany. At first they flee to the countryside, hoping that they will be safe there. And they are safe, for a while, and Remedios joins her former lover, Benjamin Péret. Not long after, they realize that there is no safe place for them there, and so they leave the country, taking all that they can with them to Mexico where Remedios’ friend and fellow artist, Leonora Carrington, has already gone.

As Remedios Varo reconnects with Leonora Carrington, they begin to form an even stronger bond, as they begin to learn about and include various theories and practices of occultism, in their creative endeavors, as well as seeking to live a life that feels genuine and honest to them, and to be recognized as artists despite their gender.

Aside from the partial focus on tarot practices, these two artists were among the early feminists before that term was used as often as it is today. They were women who promoted and proved that women are equally capable of creating art.



Pub Date: 11 Jul 2023


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Atria Books

As much as I love history I've never delved too far into famous historical artists. So, when I began reading this book I'd never heard of Remedios Varo. Even as a fictionalized account of her life it had me mesmerized. I found myself looking up odd little facts about her life, the people she was friends with, her romantic relationships and even googling what artwork belongs to her. This book was absolutely amazing! Claire McMillian does an amazing job of pulling you into a world of surrealism art, war, and the process one must go through in order to find themselves. I highly recommend this book!

I wanted to get into this novel, but it was difficult for me. It is about a young artist who feels blocked creatively and wonders when she's finally going to experience the "flow state" her fellow artists friends seem to tap into. She is drawn to the tarot, crystals, dreams, and other seemingly random objects she collects. it just wasn't my "cup of tea" and while I finished it, I wasn't a fan. Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I had not heard of these artists, so this book opened me up to a whole new world of surrealism in art. It was beautifully written, the stories full of hope, and I am grateful for the opportunity to review! I will definitely be recommending this to anyone I meet during my work at Barnes and Noble.

I feel like this is something my patrons at the library might really like. It's historical and witchy-ish, which isn't really my vibe but I definitely see for others.

"For fans of The Age of Light and Z, a mystical, historical novel based on the true story of the 20th-century painters and occultists Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington, each beginning as the muse of a famous lover and then breaking away to become an icon in her own right through a powerful friendship that springs from their connection to the tarot.

Desperate to escape the Nazis, painter Remedios Varo and her lover, poet Benjamin Peret, flee Paris for Villa Air Bel, a safe house for artists on the Riviera. Along with Max Ernst, Peggy Guggenheim, and others, the two anxiously wait for exit papers. As the months pass, Remedios begins to sense that the others don't see her as a fellow artist; they have cast her in the stifling role of a surrealist ideal: the beautiful innocent. She finds refuge in a mysterious bookshop, where she stumbles into a world of occult learning and intensifies an esoteric practice in the tarot that helps her light the bright fire of her creative genius.

When travel documents come through, Remedios and Benjamin flee to Mexico where she is reunited with friend and fellow painter Leonora Carrington. Together, the women tap into their creativity, stake their independence, and each find their true loves. But it is the tarot that enables them to access the transcendent that lies on the other side of consciousness, to become the truest Surrealists of all.

From an author with "an enchanting, intoxicating voice" (Cristina Alger, author of The Darlings), Alchemy of a Blackbird is about a dynamic female friendship that became a historic artistic collaboration between two giants of the art world."

Art and the mystical, who could ask for anything more?

I selected Alchemy of a Blackbird by Claire McMillan mainly because of the stunning cover and it seemed like I would enjoy it. However, I tend to not be a huge fan of historical fiction and could not get into this one at all. I will not keep reading it, thank you for the early copy!

This historical novel is based on the true story of the painters and occultists Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington. Both women had to break away from their famous partners in order to become icons in their own right. What connected them were the tarot cards, which are the driven force in this story.

France, 1939. At the International Exposition of Surrealists in Paris, paintings of Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington hang near each other. That’s how the two women meet and become friends. Leonora ignites Remedios’ interest in tarot cards. They take lessons together. But with Nazis approaching Paris, they flee separately to the French Riviera in hopes of escaping the country.

In Mexico, both women reunite, and continue their passion for tarot cards, which they feel helps them reach their full potential.

This story involves a dynamic female friendship and collaboration between two great artists. They break the shackles from their famous men and become the two greatest collaborators of the surrealist movement.

It is not a straight forward storytelling. Within a chapter there is a card, and under the name of the card is the name of the person relating the story in the following pages. It took me a few chapters to figure it out. At first it takes away from the flow, once, I figured it out, I was engaged by the additional voices in the story.

It’s interesting to get the backstory of the tarot cards. At the same time, I wished there was a bit more of the effect of the cards on their painting. Their artistic side is a minor part in this story comparing to tarot. The big part of the story is the self-discovery of Remedios Varo, which involves the friendship with another great artist and the tarot cards.

Overall, it is a fascinating story and the way it is presented is very unique.