This book will not be for everyone. A solidly researched and written book, Debra Dean has provided an invaluable reference into the life of artist Jan Yoors. The relationships behind the artist, and women who have gone uncredited for creating and assisting in his work, are finally revealed. The odd family configuration is stunningly unconventional, and while the author tries to mollify readers by presenting this in a clinical wording, it again, will not appeal to everyone. This book will shatter many perceptions about the artist and the role of women in its creation.

I found this to be an inspiring and moving biography about the Flemish artist Jan Yoors (1922 - 1977) and his life. He grew up the son of a stained glass artist and took off while very young with a band of Rom gypsies by accident and kept going for months. He enjoyed it so much that he did it again every year for all but the winter months for the next 10 years and felt torn between the two worlds after learning their ways and language. 

But then when WWII came it changed everything about his life, nearly destroying both sides of it. 
Yoors became involved as a resistance fighter and undercover agent. He later went on to design and was known for his many finely crafted wool tapestries in New York; along with his many sketches and drawings, he made a film, did photography, sculpted and wrote books. But he was probably best known other than for the tapestries, for having two wives and that for the most part, it was part of the tapestry business and rather successfully handled. 

He picked up many languages during his life and made friends all over the world during his travels, but especially in New York. Yoors believed in all races and cultures trying to get along in friendship. I’ve already tracked down one of his books titled “CROSSING. A Journal of Survival and Resistance in World War II“ from 1972, and look forward to getting it read also. An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley and the author Debra Dean for my review. 

Northwestern University Press
Publication date April 1, 2018

Hidden Tapestry
Jan Yoors • His Two Wives • And The War That Made Them One

Hidden Tapestry by Debra Dean is a brilliantly detailed research rich docu-drama about the life and loves of tapestry artist, photographer, humanitarian and WWII war hero Jan Yoors. She digs deep into his colorful history from his childhood in Belgium, the son of a social reformer mother and an artist father - to his time with the Romani Gypsies - his clandestine participation in the WWII Resistance much of which isn’t documented because of the sensitive nature of the information and lack of documentation - to his post war immigration to NYC - the multiple women he loved and their Bohemian and at the same time urbane lifestyle in the artists dream location of Greenwich Village - to his health struggles and his untimely death in 1977 at the much too early age of fifty-five - and finally what the women in his life did to continue celebrating his life posthumously. He was exceptional yet flawed, complicated yet understandable, he was unconventional to some and immoral to others but first and foremost he was a man who loved life. 
This is a non-fictional account yet it’s fantastically fluent, following a comprehensive chronological timeline and reads more like a fictionalized story even with a lot of critical and crucial information. It will definitely raise some eyebrows, there will be some surprises and lovers of both fiction and non-fiction, memoirs and individualistic characters will love it.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  From the publisher --- 
Hidden Tapestry reveals the unforgettable story of Flemish American artist Jan Yoors—childhood vagabond, wartime Resistance fighter, and polyamorous New York bohemian. At the peak of his fame in the 1970s, Yoors’s photographs and vast tapestries inspired a dedicated following in his adopted Manhattan and earned him international acclaim. Though his intimate friends guessed the rough outline of his colourful life, Hidden Tapestry is first to detail his astonishing secrets.
At twelve, Jan’s life took an extraordinary and unexpected turn when lured by stories of Gypsies, he wandered off with a group of Roma and continued to live on-and-off with them and with his own family for several years. As an adult in German-occupied France, Yoors joined the Resistance and persuaded his adoptive Roma family to fight alongside him. Defying repeated arrests and torture by the Gestapo, he worked first as a saboteur and later escorted Allied soldiers trapped behind German lines across the Pyrenees to freedom.
After the war, he married childhood friend Annabert van Wettum and embarked on his career as an artist. When a friend of Annabert’s, Marianne Citroen, modelled for Yoors, the two began an affair, which led the three to form a polyamorous family that would last for the rest of their lives. Moving to New York, the trio became part of the bohemian life of Greenwich Village in the 1950s.
Told in arresting detail by Debra Dean, best-selling author of The Madonnas of Leningrad, Yoors’s story is a luminous and inspiring account of resilience, resourcefulness, and love.

Okay, I was seduced by the cover of the book --- but not the story. I barely got past chapter two and did not finish === it may be your kind of book/cuppa tea but I did not like it at all. Too clinical - sorry to the author/publisher but I did say I would give an honest review.

one man two wives many mistresses a life of incredible art shared between them. this book is a wonderfully elaborate story though true as a tapestry beautifully woven together that lets you dream of the life and love they shared. for me highly recommended and I am looking forward to researching jans work further.

A true account of Jan Yoors a Flemish-American artist and his life. His two wives and the tapestries that are now displayed at the Baker Museum in Naples.

An interesting novel which  includes letters and pictures and this is an appealing read, Yoors and his tapestry work is amazing, the textiles and designs are quirky, modern and tell you a lot about the man and is gypsy way of life.

His artwork while not for everyone is rather beautiful. I loved reading this book, even though he was very arrogant he was a man of means and did what he wanted.

This book was brilliant.  Debra introduces the family of Jan Yoon and exposes the reader to a different side of World War II and the creativity that it helped spawn.  I have already encouraged several friends including two antique tapestry collectors to read this entrancing book.

Hidden Tapestry Jan Yoors His Two Wives and the War that made them one by Debra Dean is a fantastic novel describing the true (although sometimes unbelievable) story of Jan Yoors (a Flemish-American artist)  and the women who became his wives after the war. Starting from when they are young in the Netherland countryside; following each individually through the war, coming together as one after the war, and then ending at the display of the tapestries at Baker Museum in Naples, Florida with his life's work on display. The nomadic life of Jan Yoors is captivating and nerve wreaking as is the women's struggles through the war.

Included are a few photographs of the family and letters they corresponded with over the years until they were able to be together for the rest of their lives. It is surprising and touching with historical facts all woven together to form an intricate story of their lives.

I had never heard of this artist before (I'm not much into art) but after reading this I have a deeper understanding of his life and the artwork he and his wives accomplished. I loved the history of their lives during the war for I enjoy reading about World War 2. It delves into the issues of the war and what they had to face individually with their different heritages.

Debra Dean is a fabulous author. Weaving a story about the lives of these people like the tapestry that was the Yoors work. It was a documentary told like a fictional story. I prefer these types of Non-Fiction over ones that are more reciting of facts. She ties all her facts into the story beautifully. You could sense that she was captivated by their story and enjoyed writing the novel. I am looking forward to reading more of her novels.

I was not a fan of Jan Yoors. He seemed arrogant and the fact that he had mistresses and wanted two wives bothered me. I felt sorry for the woman but they enjoyed their lives and chose what path they were to go down. I am a fierce believer in loyalty. If you can not be loyal then you should not be married. But I respect that this is some peoples beliefs and that they were happy for the most part and it seemed to work for them. Even though I did not like him I found his life very interesting and the parts he played during the war were brave, to say the least.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes a novel that is captivating and that you don't want to put down. It has romance and danger and intrigue. To make it even better it is all true.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Northwestern University Press for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.