I loved this book. Bennett's writing was so engrossing and beautiful that I was entirely engrossed and forgot for a little bit that I was under the weather. Although this is a work of non-fiction, Bennett's writing made you feel as if you were reading correspondence between friends discussing their lives. The way that she was able to interweave the actual letters of O'Keeffe and Pollitzer into the biographical information was seamless.

Before reading this book, I was generally familiar with O'Keeffe's work, but had no idea who Pollitzer was. Therefore, before beginning this book, I would say that my knowledge of these women, let alone their friendship, was almost nonexistent. However, after finishing this book, I felt as if I knew both women intimately. Bennett provided an inspiring and human portrait of both women, their friendship, and their wider impact on history.

Learning about Pollitzer's life was the most interesting portion of this book for me because, in many ways, she felt the more relatable of the two women. Her youthful exuberance and loyalty to O'Keeffe throughout the book were entirely relatable. The struggles that she faced in trying to forge her path within the Suffrage movement were also relatable in the sense that it feels like any young person branching out and starting their career.

Although Pollitzer's story was the more interesting of the two for me to read, I did feel more emotionally invested in O'Keeffe's story. In some ways, it felt like watching the development of a Bond villain as the story progressed. O'Keeffe seems to have lacked confidence in herself at the beginning of the story, and by the end, she appears to have bought into the myth that she created around herself at the expense of her loved ones.

The dynamics of O'Keeffe's marriage were also really well written throughout the story. Bennett managed to capture the complexity of two strong personalities in a complicated marriage so well.

Although this is ultimately the tragic story of the friendship between O'Keeffe and Pollitzer, it is also an attempt to bring to light the interpersonal dynamics of two intelligent and talented women fighting for something in 20th-century America. I would highly recommend this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Racism, War, Pandemic/Epidemic

Over on my booktube channel (Hannah's Books), I shared this book in my description of exciting books forthcoming in May. Link to the particular discussion: https://youtu.be/4zoXuMKGD2A?si=h46bufbWB66Qv6hi&t=55

The two friends of this book are Georgia O'Keeffe and Anita Pollitzer. One of these names was quite familiar to me for her artistic works. The other was new to me. Among the many things that I learned was that Pollitzer was very active in the suffrage movement. She also introduced O'Keeffe to Steiglitz.

These two knew each other in a relationship that had both its ups and downs as this well written book reveals. Initially, Georgia did not take to Anita but they then became close, before later having a friendship with some cracks.

This book is noteworthy for showcasing the accomplishments of two women who were living at a time in which women struggled to achieve and be respected. It offers a reminder of how far we have (hopefully) come.

Bennett's book is written in a very readable style. I especially enjoyed the excerpts from the letters that are included here.

It was illuminating to learn more about a woman whom I had only known for her art and connection to Steiglitz when there was so much more to her story. Since I knew nothing of Anita, reading about her life and experiences was intriguing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the University of Nebraska Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Before reading this book, I only knew Georgia O’Keeffe for her flower paintings and her connection to New Mexico. I knew nothing about Anita Pollitzer. This book starts with Georgia at 28 years old around 1915. A brief background covers her identity, family's challenges, and meeting Anita Pollitzer, a young art student from a well-connected family. Anita and Georgia first meet while attending a semester at the Art Students League, we follow their decades long friendship. Their correspondence shows their journeys through two World Wars, Anita’s role in the suffragette movement, Georgia’s evolving art and long-term relationship with the older and (initially) married photographer and gallery owner, Alfred Stieglitz. Eventually, we get to the New Mexico-based, flower painting Georgia. Though the road there is not one I expected.

I was very intrigued by the subject matter for this book. I love reading stories about people’s lives and learning parts of history with which I previously was unfamiliar. While I got that in this book, I found the writing style choppy and at times difficult to follow. The perspective shifts between Georgia and Anita mid-chapter, with few visual cues indicating the change. There were parts that jumped geographically but did not explain how that change came to be. The author made assumptions about the readers familiarity with certain landmarks and locations. An example is the location of the Art Students League. In the first part of the book when Georgia and Anita are attending the semester there, I had to assume it was in New York City. Even after review, I do not see an explicit reference to what city or State this takes place in.

Although I would have appreciated more seamless transitions between Georgia and Anita's sections and additional details to assist the reader, I found the book enjoyable. I learned about Anita Pollitzer’s significant contributions to the rights women have in the United States and Georgia’s complicated romantic relationship. I was previously unaware of. I appreciated the author taking the time to respectfully show the complex nature of a long-term friendship.

Thank you to the University of Nebraska Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.