Leonora in the Morning Light by Michaela Carter

Leonora in the Morning is based on a period in time in real lives of Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington, and other renowned artists and people connected to the art world, during the events surrounding WWII. Because I had very little knowledge of the Surrealist movement other than knowing a little about the work of Picasso and Salvador Dali, I needed the help of the internet to inform me of all the people we meet through Max and Leonora. It was hard for me to be invested in these people and by attempting to learn more about their backgrounds and futures, I was hoping I could become more interested in the story that is being told in the book. 

The story is told in a sometimes dreamlike way and it was often hard to tell what are hallucinations, dreams, or reality, especially in the case of Leonora. At some point she is in an insane asylum and her drugged state adds to the confusion of what is real or not. But she definitely seems to have had a mental breakdown before she enters the asylum. Does this type of break with reality make the art or does the creation, in the mind, of this kind of art, lead to a more disheveled concept of reality? I never have connected with the work of Surrealists and I think it would have been better if I had continued to know less about their lifestyles than I know now. 

Max and his inner and outer circle seem to be immersed in all the trappings of free sex while claiming to sometimes love the sex partners they happened to be with at the moment. Their lifestyles seem so chaotic and with no sense of responsibility. Max and Leonora, together for a few years, seemed content to think someone else will pick up the bill for their meals or their lifestyles. The constant swapping of partners, threesomes, group sex country get togethers, sex with strangers, and all to do with sex, reminds me of the true stories of rocks stars and rock groups. There seemed to be no attempt at something permanent in the life of Max...yes, he might marry a woman or four, but there were always other women in his bed (although he seems to prefer outdoors for sex) and marriage seemed to have no significance to him other than that his future, present, or ex wives might be a source of funds. Mostly I'm going by what I read in this story so I'm not sure how things were for him after he married his fourth wife. 

I think this story is best suited for those more knowledgeable of the artwork and the people in it. It's amazing how many of the artists of this style and time made it out of France and the other occupied countries when Hitler was gunning for those he labeled “degenerates”. Because of this book, and the research I did while reading it, I now have a greater knowledge of a lot of the artists mentioned in the story. I read this story with DeAnn and I'm glad I could discuss the story with her. We both stepped out of our comfort zone with this one. 

At the risk of appearing prudish, I'll mention a scene in Leonora and Max's country house. Leonora and one of her contemporaries are preparing a chicken dinner so, of course, they have to strip naked to cut up and prepare the chicken so that they don't get splattered with grease. I've never been presented with so many people who are so willing to be naked in groups...I guess I need to get out more...ha ha. 

Thank you to Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this ARC.

There were so many aspects of this book that drew me to it and held my interest while reading but overall, it didn’t work for me. I thought the insight into the Surrealist movement during the war, and how the Nazis viewed them, was interesting. This novel dropped a lot of artist names (Frida and Dali for example) but also introduced me to a slew of other artists during that time period. The author clearly put in a lot of time and effort into researching this and it show. The writing felt a little clunky for me at parts and I lost interest towards the end of the book, just ready for it to be over. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is highly researched and covers a lot of complex history! From the late 1930s through WWII and beyond, this one shares more about surrealist artists in Europe and their lives. We learn about Leonora Carrington, a Mexican/British artist and Max Ernst, a German artist. I hadn’t heard of either of these artists and spent some time looking up photos of their art. Other famous artists were mentioned as well – Dali, Picasso, and Eluard the writer to name just a few.

There are alternating timelines, one features time before the war and the decadent lifestyle of these artists and later, when Leonora is battling mental illness and Max is sent to various camps because he is a German man living in France. Later much of this surrealist art is declared subversive by the Germans and many artists are sent to camps. Many artists also seek out the wealthy Peggy Guggenheim and she purchases a lot of art for a future museum and helps some of them escape to the U.S., including Max.

Max and Leonora, despite a 27-year age gap, have a love affair and Leonora becomes his muse, appearing in many of his paintings. For various reasons, they don’t have a lasting relationship and yet seem to have difficulties staying out of each other’s lives.

While this one was interesting, it seemed long, and I did not find the characters very likeable. I’m not quite sure how to pinpoint how it fell short for me, perhaps too intellectual? If you are a fan of surrealist art and those artists, this may be a big hit for you!

Just a case of "not for me"...

I think the author had the best of intentions when she researched and started writing this novel (based on real people during WWII) but it did not work for me.

Leonora Carrington is a young artist who falls in love with an older, married artist Max Ernst. They are in Paris in the late 1930s when the Nazis invade France. The writing did not connect and I felt absolutely nothing for the characters. There were a few plot points that I felt were un-necessary and just inserted for the drama. The weaving of WWII was one of the pieces I was most looking forward to, but might as well worked as a footnote. So glad to be finished and moving onto the next book.

This book spoke to me! I really enjoyed learning about the characters, their work, and the format kept me interested. Frequently, I would stop reading and look up the pieces talked about in the story. Although I hated leaving the reading to do so! I really feel that my horizons were broadened, highly recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC..

This novel was not what I thought it was going to be about. I suppose one more “enlightened” than I would say it featured sexual freedom, but since I’m an old fogie, it was simply debauchery and sexual depravity among those in the surrealist artistic movement. Consequently, 20% was enough for me to decide that it was not a story I wanted to pursue.

There are doubtless many others who can either overlook or enjoy the scenes of bacchanalia as the book, itself, seemed to be reasonably well written except for the dual time line which made the storyline very choppy and difficult to follow. It was also an interesting time in history. to learn about the artistic movements considering what was going on - ie. the world-wide great depression followed by WWII.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Avid Reader Press – Simon & Schuster, in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not normally someone who reads a lot of historical fiction books but I really enjoyed this one. Keep me turning the pages. I can’t wait to tell everyone how enjoyable this one is. Thank you for letting me read it

Thank you to netgalley.com for the ARC.

This was a very well done historical fiction book. I had never heard of either artist that the story primarily focuses on. After reading the book, I went down a rabbit hole to learn more about both of them and to view their art work. I live in NY and also feel the need to go back to the Guggenheim museum again after reading this book.

Set in the backdrop of the German occupation of France during WWII, the story switches between England, France, Spain, Portugal, New York, Mexico, and Arizona. The story of how these two artists lives intertwined with each other as well as with other surrealists artists of that time.

I enjoyed the story and enjoyed how it taught me something new.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately it did not deliver. What worked for me was the deep dive into art, especially the surrealist art around WWII. I do love a book that takes me down a Google rabbit hole. I enjoyed learning about the artist, most of all Leonora, the lesser well know female artist in this group. What did not work for me was the characters and pacing. I did not find the dual time line or narrator helpful in this story. I wish Leonora could have just told her own story. The characters I did not enjoy as people. I am sure the author did her research well and this is an accurate portrayal of these real life people. But they are not people I could cheer for, or understand why they made the choices they did.

Leonora in the Morning Light is very well researched and well written, however I struggle to classify it as "historical fiction" because it is more scholarly in nature. While the specifics might be fiction, Carter obviously did her research on the Surrealist Movement and the artists and people involved and it shows. Because the novel is so dense i had a hard time getting through the detailed aspects of some of the novel. Overall, it was very educational and a good read, but definitely geared towards those interested in Leonora Carrington or at least the Surrealist movement.

Leonora In The Morning Light is the debut novel of poet Michaela Carter. It is a fictionalized account of the real-life love affair between British debutant turned artist, Leonora Carrington, and German surrealist painter Max Ernst. Max was 27 years older than the 20-year-old Leonora and married to his second wife when they began seeing each other. The story is told in alternate narratives focusing mainly on Leonora beginning when they met in June 1937 and on Max beginning in June 1940 when Max is on a train trying to head west out of France. Ernst, a Jew who had lived in France for 20 years, had just left Camp des Milles in Southern France where he was interned after he had been declared an “undesirable foreigner”. He is desperate to get back to his beloved Leonora. By the middle of the novel, the two timelines converge as both Leonora and Max try to escape Europe during the war.

This novel will a perfect read for art-history lovers, especially those intrigued by surrealism. The author takes the reader into the minds and creative process of these two artists. The account of Leonora’s temporary mental breakdown during the war is heartbreaking. Max and Leonora’s circle of friends includes many other famous artists such as Man Ray, Leonor Fini, Lee Miller, Paul Eluard, and eventually the American heiress, Peggy Guggenheim who helps financially support many of them. Prior to World War II, this group lived a rather hedonistic lifestyle full of adultery, nudity, and drunkenness. They believed that surrealism “was all about breaking rules, living as no one dared to live.” Apparently, their lifestyles did not hinder their health since Max lived 84 years and Leonora 94 years.

The author’s note makes it clear that this is not a story of the Great Man’s Woman. This is the story of the Great Woman. She sees Leonora as a heroine. Unfortunately, I did not see her that way. I personally did not respect the audacious lifestyle of the surrealists. The sections describing the great lengths their friends went through to help the two escape Nazi-occupied Europe were the most interesting part of the story to me. This is a 3-star read for me, but I would not want to discourage anyone else from reading it. Just because it isn’t my cup of tea, doesn’t mean it won’t be yours.

Many thanks to Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for my Advanced Reader Copy. The novel is expected to be published on April 6, 2021.

Sp

The author did amazing job of researching Surrealism and incorporating it into a complex historical story,Best for fans of this art movement.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #LeonoraInTheMorning for advanced digital version.

I received a free e-ARC through Netgalley.
This book is about Leonora Carrington who was with Max Ernst (well-known surrealist artist) for several years. They were madly in love and as into the art scene as the other well-known surrealists hanging out around Paris such as Dali and Marcel Duchamp. The book jumps back and forth between Leonara's days with Ernst and a few years later when the Germans have invaded France and Max is arrested by Frenchmen as a "Enemy Resident" as he is German-born. The book delves quite a bit into the hedonistic surrealism scene where wearing clothes is often passe. After Max is taken away the 2nd time, Leonora tries to escape to America, but suffers a mental breakdown which is feels like another surrealistic dream. This is a new viewpoint of the artists hunted for being degenerates by the Nazis.

Footprints are face to face with the Firmament

The surrealist artists were a different type of artist with a much different lifestyle. They lead a more bohemian lifestyle than most and their art reflected this lifestyle. Much of their art revolved around the human body and the human body to them was art. Sexuality was often expressed in their art often leading critics to deem it to be immoral.

At the time just before and during WWII men were considered the artists and women were not so much considered artists at that time. Than Leonora Carrington came onto the scene. A privileged socialite from a well to do family she rebelled against convention and wanted her freedom. She wanted to be an artist, not a wife and mother. She left school and went to Paris with her artist friends. She meets Max at a party, twenty some years her senior, he becomes the love of her life.

After the Nazi's invade the art of the Surrealists is considered degenerate art and the artists degenerates. Although Max is from Germany he has lived in France a while, but now he is wanted as an enemy of France for being German and an enemy of the Nazi's for being a degenerate artist.

The book has some tones of the war, but the book is about Art, specifically the artist Lenora Carrington. It is about her time with Max, her time with other's and her paintings. The different ways she incorporated mythology, and sorcery into her paintings. A bit of mystical painting of the human body. When she leaves school she is twenty so it is a story of her coming of age and becoming a famous artist . It is about her friends, the other artists, their wives and girlfriend. The love triangles , the tears, the fears and the love. It is more of a love story than a war story. It is a love story surrounded by art in a time of war.

It was a good book and I would recommend it to all interested in the world of art.

Thanks to Michaela Carter, Avid Reader Press/Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and advanced copy in return for my honest review.

This book was fascinating on so many levels- a blend of historical fiction, coupled with art history, and a coming of age story. I enjoyed learning about Leonora Carrington, Max Ernst, Peggy Guggenheim and the other Surrealist artists in their realm, and found myself captivated by their lives and stories, and drawn to ‘googling’ for more info and photos. Even looking back at my own from trips to the Dali & Peggy Guggenheim Museums.

Thanks to Net Galley & Avid Reader Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Leonora reminds me of Frida Kahlo, the way she describes dealing with a world of men in the art field. I found myself getting lost in this book from the very beginning and felt at times a profound sadness emanating from her & usually artist are sad ( as a recovering artist I am well aware.) Leonora was a real woman surrealist painter which could NOT have been a harder genre to break into (as a woman) in my opinion. This story is deeply rich and fascinating tale of real artists come to life! If you have a background in art and art history it is an even better book. If one has no perspective of artists from this generation or this movement, the surrealist movement, one may not get a true feeling for the artists vision of the world and charged sentiments. I really do enjoy the way Ms Carter writes.

Thank you to Netgalley & Simon and Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

It has become quite popular to have historical fiction books set the stage by having someone interview the main protagonist about their life when they are older.
In this case, this fictional novel focuses on a real life artist.
The story between Leonora and Max is dramatic and fascinating. This novel made me want to research them both more because I wanted to learn more.
This book is beautifully written and felt elegant, but I felt that it left something to be desired.
A lot of it is written as if it were non fiction almost, and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, I went into it expecting something different. Those parts (mostly the flash forwards) brought me out of the story.
I wanted to be swept away and captivated by this story, but it felt very matter of fact.
This very well could be due to the fact that I knew very little about Leonora Carrington going into this book.
The parts thats weren’t choppy and weren’t in present tense were parts I definitely preferred.
It’s just not my preferred style of writing. It was a stream of consciousness that constantly won and loss my attention.
The Author’s Note at the end I thought was the perfect way to end this novel.

Leonora Carrington (1917-2011) was a British-born Mexican artist, surrealist painter, and novelist.

London, 1937. Leonora studies art in London, not something her father approves. She is introduced to “these Surrealists – not studying, but living their art.” One of them is Max Ernst, married and twice her age. She is captivated by his persona. When Max’s work is being seen as an immoral mind and having “bad influence on the good people of London,” he needs to leave London. When “Hitler declares Modern Art degenerate,” Peggy Guggenheim makes a bold move to support the Modern Art and the artists fleeing to safety. In Paris, despite the women not being able to fully join the movement of Surrealism, Leonora attends their meetings; followed by display of her paintings. She should be happy, but she feels some emptiness. A heart stolen by a man.

Southern France, 1940. Max once welcomed in France, now not so much. “Writers, artists, Jews.” All wanted by the Nazis. “They were enemies in a country that had welcomed them, a country they’d come to love.” From a camp, through an ordeal on a train, now on his feet, Max is making his way home, to freedom and to Leonora.

In the first half of the story, we get to know the Surrealist movement and its artists. Surrealism “was about breaking rules, living as no one had dared to live.” They rejected a rational vision of life in favor of the juxtaposition of uncommon imagery. Such artists as Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso make only a brief appearance in this story. I wished they were a bigger part of this story, adding more vibrancy as the story slows down in the middle. It feels stagnant for a moment.

In the second half, once Peggy Guggenheim takes part in the story it picks up in pace. Her appearance adds verve. She is an art collector, bohemian and socialite.

Leonora has some hallucinations and at some point is taken to an asylum. I wished that this part of her life was just mentioned rather than given a small chunk of this story. When I read about artists I want them to be remembered for their creativity rather than what personally inflicted them. Nevertheless, I applaud the author for creative way of showing it.

This story is very ambitious, dealing with a complex artistic movement, complex characters, and complex historical setting of WWII, where some of those artists were Jews. It encompasses a lot and at some moments slows the pace.

Overall, I did enjoy this story and getting to know surrealism better and its artists. The writing is certainly of a talented writer.

This historical novel’s elegant prose is so descriptive that the reader can almost feel themselves a part of Carrington’s nightmarish visions, or, in happier times, engaged in repartee with her artistic friends. Ms. Carter has created a novel with so much detail and historical background that it takes a strong constitution to get through parts of the story. The story of Max Ernst’s internment is all too familiar, but painful to read.

LEONORA IN THE MORNING LIGHT introduces a new generation of women to Leonora Carrington. I knew her name, but not her story and this book is a reminder of the strength it required in the early 20th Century for women to pursue a career, forego family expectations, and “ live their own life,” however imperfect.

Netgalleybprovided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.

New York City, 1997 The women is in her 80's walking through the art gallery. This is where she will walk among her art, a retrospective of her artistic life, some 60 years. Flashback to London, June 1937 and we are about to meet Leonora Carrington.

Leonora came from a wealthy family, but a privileged life was not what she wanted. She wanted to be an artist. Her father was opposed, but sent her to London, paid for art school and gave her enough money just to get by, living close to that of a starving artist hoping she would come home. It was in 1937 that she met Max Ernst, a surliest artist, who she instantly fell in love with. Never mind that he was married, or that he was 26 years older than her, or that he had a series of lovers in his life. Leonora she didn't look back, she had her freedom, albeit a bit of a poor one! Once again, breaking free from her privileged life, she flees to Paris with Max. While there she begins to experiment with her art, finally making a name for herself. She is surrounded with the likes of Andre Breton, Pablo Picasso, Lee Miller, Man Ray and Salvador Dali. However, waiting in the shadows is a war which will spread over Europe, the newspapers declare this group as "degenerates."

It's 1940 and both Leonora and Max are forced to flee France, both of them on a journey that will shape them into artists and individuals. He was arrested because of his art by the gendarmerie. On the run from an interment camp, he writes to Peggy Guggenheim to help him escape from the Nazis as she has done for others. In the mean time countries were falling like dominnos as the Nazis moved on, she couldn't wait for Max to return and sold their house to the town barkeeper. With the help of her friends, she manages to escape. However, her father with his wealth and fingers in every pie had spies everywhere, had Leonora drugged when she got to Spain and was put in an asylum. Eventually she managed to escape her father's grip and escape the sanitarium.

Leonora and Ernst lived in a different time, they saw the world through their artistic lens and transferred their realism to canvas. It was the front runner of what is know today as Modern Art. Freedom of expression, freedom of the way they lived, through hedonistic times, disapproving times. It was their way of living, no boundaries, no rules.

This was an excellent book...it was interesting and like the characters, different, but I must say it was chaotic at times, and at times quite sad. The artistic temperament of the protagonists and those as the supporting cast was very much evident in the writing. I thought the research and character development was well done. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars