Dorothea Lange has had her share of pain in her life. Surviving polio was a major one. Left with little to no self-confidence and a limp, she finds her passion in a small photography shop in New York.

In 1918 she arrives in San Francisco. A city still rebuilding itself and full of men returning from war and the hideous behavior of the people toward the Chinese. She is way out of her comfort zone until she meets Caroline Lee, a mixed-race woman with a mysterious past who has also known her share of sorrow.

Caroline introduces Dorothea to the Monkey Block, a large colony of artists of every medium. Caroline is an expert seamstress and clothing designer and it is her dream to open her own salon. Dorothea wants to open her own photography studio.

Caroline introduces her to all the names we know and love, such as Maynard Dixon, Ansel Adams, Mabel Dodge, Frida Kahlo, and more. Dorothea falls hard for Dixon, a brilliant artist but a horrible lover.

Dorothea and Caroline open the photography studio and do very well. Things are going well, they are making money and Dorothea is neck-deep into this new world of art and political upheaval as many see the Chinese as less than human and want them out of the country. Sound familiar?

I so enjoyed reading about how Dorrie got to San Francisco. The 1920s were not kind to minorities or women but Dorrie pushed a lot of boundaries. Everything in her life is changed with an act so horrendous it sends Caroline far away and Dorrie is on her own.

In the first half of the book, I was really interested. Then there came the part about her feeling guilty for being gone from her sons for so long while taking pictures documenting internment camps and the people suffering during the depression. Wait…she had children? When? With who? Not another thing was mentioned about it and it felt unfinished. The rest really made no sense.

The people in this book are real and the author kindly elaborates on them in the end. All in all, I was rather confused by the end.

NetGalley/ Expected publication: April 6th, 2021 by Ballantine Books

3.5 stars
It was very fun to read about Dorothea Lange’s life! You’d be hard pressed to find someone that didn’t recognize at least one of her photographs, so learning a bit about her (even though it is a historical fiction novel) was interesting!
I liked how it focused on just a portion of her life instead of squeezing her whole life in. 
It’s a story of friendship, love, and women kicking ass and taking names. 
I did find myself getting a bit bored at times. It can be a little long winded which took me out of the story. 
I really liked how this books serves as a reminder to people that women have been talented in the arts for centuries. Centuries before they were given due, women were creating their own path in the photograph space. 
I think if you’re into photography or historical fiction you will enjoy this!

I didn’t know who Dorothea Lange was until I googled her as I began this book. Of course I recognized her most famous portrait of the Great Depression mother, but I knew nothing else about this rather famous female photographer. I enjoyed the first 3/4 of the novel, as Dorrie makes her way toward owning her own studio in San Francisco. What disappointed me was the rushed and oversimplification of the story’s final chapters.  Dorothea’s life was far from over once Caroline moved on, yet we are given scant details about, really, the most poignant years of her life. I want a sequel!

The Bohemians is a biographical/historical novel that just took too long to tell.  Dorothea Lange knew some powerful names in the photography/art field and we were given some information about many of them.

The story itself was primarily about the friendship between Dorrie and her friend and assistant, Caroline Lee.  Also covered was Dorrie’s failed relationship and marriage to Maynard Dixon along with the racism of that time period (early 20th century).

What I enjoyed most about this book was the author’s description of San Francisco – one of my favorite cities – and her history.  I could easily picture the places she wrote about.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Bohemians.

I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review
This was just not my taste. It was hard to connect to the lead character and I just wasn't interested in the time period that was being described.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for a honest book review.
The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik is as compelling as Dorothea Lange’s photographs. 
Dorothea’s arrival in San Francisco at age 23 would open a door and a freedom that New York could not offer her. With camera in hand and a chance meeting with Caroline Lee, she steps into a bohemian world of vibrant artists and other female photographers. An uneasy childhood and a polio residual limp provided a sense of insecurity but her gift and love of photography and her associations with other female artists helped her pave a fascinating and free spirited path. From portrait studio photographer to her journalistic chronicling of the affects of the Great Depression, Dorothea’s sixth sense is evident in her haunting, unforgettable photographs. Jasmine Darznik paints  a portrait of a trailblazing photographer that will not be forgotten.
Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an early reader copy!

I literally could not put this book down! Beautifully researched and written, The Bohemians takes us into the early life of Dorothea Lange, renowned photographer, and follows her through early successes and challenges to show us how she became the amazing woman that she was. 

Dorothea arrives in San Francisco in 1918 from New Jersey, exhausted and broke. She meets Chinese American Caroline Lee and a friendship forms that will take Dorothea into the so-called Bohemian scene in San Francisco, and deep into all the ugly sides of American at the time. The Spanish flu is on the East Coast and there is a sense of invincibility in San Francisco, but buried down the side streets are the stains of racism, prostitution, corruption, poverty and more.  Dorothea tells us her story from that painful arrival to early successes and later failures, personal and professional.  It's so compelling that its as if we are walking with her through the streets and alleys of San Francisco.  Absolutely awesome read, store up your sleep because you'll want to read this straight through!

I loved “Song of a Captive Bird” and was so excited to read another novel by this author. However, it was definitely not what I hoped. I struggled from the very beginning to be drawn in or care about the characters. It was less about Lange and more about the racism and discrimination of the time, which are important topics, but felt off for a story that was supposed to be about Lange. In all honesty, I felt the topics could have been addressed better as well.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik is a recounting of the life of Dorothea Lange, a famous documentary photographer. Dorothea travels from the East Coast to San Francisco.  She hasn't been exposed to the big world and after she is pickpocketed, things look grim.  A chance encounter on a trolley leads her to a new friend, Caroline Lee.  Together they explore life in the artists' colony called Monkey Block.  Making new friends opens Dorothea's eyes up to the variety of lifestyles in the up and coming town. 

Dorothea works hard and is fortunate enough to find a sponsor to help her open a portrait studio.  Her portraits are the talk of high society and she enjoys doing what she loves.  She marries Maynard Dixon and works hard to balance married life and the demands of a career.  Her marriage flounders.  The Great Depression begins and the demand for portraits ends.  She closes her portrait studio.  The changing times show Dorothea another side of life and spark her creativity.  She begins photographing the impact of The Great Depression, these are the photographs that make her famous.

In covering Dorothea Lange's life, Jasmin Darznik details life in 1920s San Francisco.  The myriad of styles and attitudes illustrate the rapidly changing times.  It is a wonderful opportunity to look at the life experiences that have shaped such a prominent artist.

Dorothea Lange, one of the women pioneers in photography.  This book takes us on a fictional journey of this woman, set in San Francisco in the 1920's.  As historical fiction is my favorite genre, especially set in this timeframe I found it very enjoyable and would highly recommend it.

Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) at the beginning of the 20th century is the best painter in San Francisco. Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) in 1918 is a new comer to the Bohemian San Francisco, hoping to make a path for herself as a portrait photographer.

1918. Dorrie, nearly twenty-three, arrives in San Francisco with a camera and a head full of ideas. As she tries to figure her way around the city, she meets Caroline Lee. Caroline introduces Dorrie to Monkey Block. A district full of life and bohemians. Dorrie’s first job in the city is a step-down from what she was doing in New York. But it is a step-up when she sees an opportunity she didn’t see in New York. In New York, she “couldn’t make it any further than somebody’s assistant.” In San Francisco might be different. There are successful women photographers here. Flourishing, because there were no established photographers in the city due to the earthquake of 1906 that not only devastated the city, but also made many artists leave the city. Thus, making a way for a new generation of bohemians, which allowed women to establish themselves.

I very much enjoyed the atmosphere of the artistic community. The description of the place where Caroline lives truly brings the meaning of a bohemian community. It’s like a village or a settlement. A building full of rooms, each containing a different person with a different interest. Some rooms were crowded with canvases or a jumble of books or a half-finished sculpture or a dressmaker’s dummy or a grand piano.

The historical background is textured with many layers. We get a glimpse of the effects of the 1906 earthquake, the Spanish flue of 1918 reaching the West Coast, and earlier devastating the East Coast. The dimensions of the photography are beautifully explored. What it means to catch the right light, just by moving the camera by 2 inches, the right angle and the right composition. The stiffness of proper attire and straight standing or sitting posture where making space for something more unique. And of course, the bohemian community is phenomenal and the cast of artists is very rich making it a very vibrant story. And a sad part of racism, including The Palmer Raids of 1919-1920. Caroline of Chinese decent knows what it means to be Oriental in early 20th century San Francisco. Not allowed to live outside Chinatown, experiencing discrimination at work, very limited to what she can do and where she can work. And how people view her.

The character development is exquisite as well. Dorrie is left with a limp leg after a polio. Her friend helps her to overcome her insecurities. And the love of photography is her gift which she grabs and explores. You can feel her passion. With not an easy childhood, she comes triumphant with making her own path. Through character development, we also see friendship among women and support of each other, to propel each other to success.

The prose is grasping from the first pages. You get attached to the characters as quickly and care for them deeply. The plot carries the story forward constantly. Thus, in summary making it a fascinating read.

I am drawn to novels featuring women in the early-to mid 20 th century.  More often than not, they faced a future with no options, or very limited ones.   And, their challenges often involved putting aside their true self .  THE BOHEMIANS  takes us on such a journey through the fictional story of noted photographer Dorothea Lange in early San Francisco.

The artist’s name was known to me, but I was not familiar with her work, or her life story.  Jasmin Darznik’s fictional account both inspired and daunted me.  The story brought out her conundrum of choosing professional fulfillment or love. It was too much of a challenge to hold on to both.

I loved the author’s ability to immerse the reader in the creative circle that included Lange, Maynard Dixon, Ansel Adams and other free spirits of San Francisco around 1920.  The dark cloud that also hovers throughout the novel is the vicious prejudice against Chinese immigrants. This issue was central to the story and a painful reminder of this dark chapter in our history.

THE BOHEMIANS was a compelling story about a brave and talented woman, but perhaps the element that will stick with me the longest is the reminder of the power of friendships to influence the course of our lives.
NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.

The Bohemians 
By Jasmin Darznik

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 
What a perfect time to read this book about photographer Dorothea Lange’s life. Her early career in San Francisco during the years of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, unrest in the streets, the animosity against immigrants ring true today 100 years later during the Covid pandemic and political unrest . 
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, I always learn something I didn’t know before. I was familiar with the picture Migrant Mother, but I couldn’t have named the photographer who took the picture. I googled her life before starting the book. 
I loved Song of a Captive Bird by this author and I was excited to read this new book, and I was not disappointed. The book kept my attention from the first page, I was drawn to the characters . Reading the historical notes at the end of the book made me appreciate how much research went into writing this book. The title Bohemians refers to the group of artists, painters, photographers, journalists in San Francisco living in the early 20th century, as the city had been rebuilt after the devastating 1906 earthquake and fires. Many of the characters in the book are real historical figures, others are fictional characters based on real people. Dorothea’s assistant Caroline Lee is such a character, and according to the author’s note, much of her life was the author’s imagination. 
Dorothea’s marriage to Maynard Dixon is mentioned, including the ups and downs in their marriage. I was disappointed though that the two sons born of this marriage are barely mentioned. I realize this novel concentrated on Dorothea’s early Bohemian years, but I still felt the rest of her career was squeezed into the last chapter without too much detail.
Overall a 4.5 star book, rounded up yo five. 
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

Dorothea Lange is one of the most compelling people of the 20th Century. While much is known of her trailblazing work in documenting the depths of the Depression and the depravity of the Japanese internment horrors, her early artistic life is sketchier. Jasmin Darznik does a wonderful job in filling in some plausible blanks in her standout historical Fiction, “The Bohemians”. 

We first meet Lange as she is nearly arrived in San Francisco in 1918 with a suitcase and a dream. She has some hard-earned cash that she is immediately relieved of by a charming pickpocket. She does not know a soul. She is full of initial hope. That lasts less than the first day. The San Francisco that she enters is still trying to get back on its feet after the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906. It is a city of opportunity for those willing to work hard. That fits Dorothea to a T. 

The story that Ms. Darznik conjures is heart-rendering in every way. One aspect that is unavoidable are the comparisons to our reality one century later. Pandemic – check. Greed, corrupt politicians, Misogyny, Social  unrest, White Supremacy, Blatant Racism, Police Brutality, No-knock Raids, Violence towards Women, DACA children, Fake News – check, check, check….. check.

Through it all, Dorothea quickly establishes herself as a top tier photographer, owner of a studio, respected member of the avant-garde community, a Bohemian who rubs elbows with known artists including Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Consuela Kanaga, Maynard Dixon, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and others. She becomes known as the Portrait Photographer to the rich and famous. Her work is extraordinary, but she was in no way fulfilled. She knows intuitively that her vision was meant for something far more profound. When the cruel world’s walls begin to crowd in, Dorothea knows that she it’s time to make some drastic changes.
I first became familiar with Ms. Darznik with “Song of a Captive Bird”. She is a true talent. Can’t wait for her next effort.

Thank you, Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for the dARC. Much appreciated.

The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik is a great historical fiction that focusses on the early years of Dorothea Lange, one of the women pioneers in photography. 

Sadly, I had not heard of Ms Lange and it was fascinating to learn not only about her, but about a whole group of famous and exceptional photographers that were in the thick of it during the early 20th century. I also got to learn about her personal life as well as her professional life. I also was introduced to her close friend, Caroline Lee and her volatile marriage to painter, Manyard  Dixon.

It was so exciting to learn about so many fascinating artists, and reading this fictional story based on real people, as well as the informative Author’s Note has spurned plenty of research already on my part to find out even more.

4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I hadn’t heard of Dorothea Lange, the subject of this book.  When I Googled her and saw those haunting images of the American Depression, I immediately recognised her work.  I looked forward to learning more about her and her experiences during this time.

Jasmin Darznik is the author of the excellent [book:Song of a Captive Bird|35574989] which so movingly portrays the life of the Iranian poet, Forugh Farrokhzad.  I loved that book so I was excited to read this one.  Sadly, it’s not a repeat performance.

At first, I was intrigued to learn about so many people I hadn’t heard of before such as the photographers Imogen Cunningham and Consuelo Kanaga.  Together with Lange, they were successful female photographers in the early decades of the 20th century and I enjoyed exploring their work online.  I also learned about Arnold Genthe, Lange’s mentor, and his wonderful photographs of San Francisco’s Chinatown before the 1906 earthquake and fires.  We also meet Ansel Adams and learn about Lange’s disastrous marriage to the artist, Maynard Dixon.  

The storyline is largely about Dorothea’s early career, and her friendship with Caroline who is half-Chinese.  Discrimination against the Chinese population at that time was horrific and cruel.  Signs saying No Chinese were prevalent and it was impossible for them to rent property outside of Chinatown.  Chinese immigration to the USA had been legally banned in the previous century, other than for a few exempted professions, and the law wasn’t completely repealed until 1952.  Much of the book is devoted to this subject, perhaps too much overall.  It’s interesting but it impacted on Caroline’s life, not on Dorothea’s, other than on their friendship.  The reason for Caroline’s eventual disappearance from Dorothea’s life is fictionalised which I was disappointed to learn in the book’s epilogue.  

Overall, I’m disappointed in this book.  It felt dry and longwinded.  I didn’t feel any personal connection to Dorothea Lange which I had expected after [book:Song of a Captive Bird|35574989].  The author’s intention was to explore Dorothea’s early years but I personally feel that it would have been a more satisfying journey if it had concentrated on her later work.  I’m pleased I had the opportunity to read it because I learned, through following up references, so much about the early women pioneers in photography, but I’m honestly sorry to say that it didn’t meet my high expectations.

Beautifully written. Exquisite descriptions of San Francisco's arts community in the early days. Fascinating parallels from then to now. Illustrates the prejudices heaped upon the Chinese and other races. Up close and personal struggles of women trying to make a place for themselves through a major earthquake and the Spanish flu pandemic and the lack of support for women on their own. A story of a brave young portrait photographer who never sees herself as an artist, but who is drawn to all manner of creative people. Dorothea Lange, a polio survivor, leaves New York for the West Coast to try and find her true self and change her life. On her first day in San Francisco, all her money is stolen, her dreams dashed on the rocky coast, and she can't even afford to go home. Her new friend Caroline Lee, the China girl, befriends her and helps to set her on a new path. A path that will define her and awaken her true talent. Based on a real woman's life, a story of generosity, resilience, and triumph. It's a wonderful book. I loved it.