The Artist

by Lucy Steeds
The Artist cover
Good Books rating 4.68
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  • ID: 492
  • Added: 2025-09-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • Formats: 99
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
netgalley.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-09-23
brilliant 5.00

The Artist by Lucy Steeds is a beautifully written novel set in 1920s Provence, capturing the essence of art and human connection. The poetic language and vivid imagery make it a standout debut, with characters that are deeply explored and emotionally resonant.

The Artist by Lucy Steeds is a stunning debut novel that beautifully captures the essence of art and human connection. Set in 1920s Provence, the story revolves around a reclusive painter, his niece, and a young journalist who becomes entangled in their lives. The novel's poetic language and vivid imagery create a captivating experience, much like the artwork it describes. The characters are deeply explored, with their emotions and truths laid bare, making the story both moving and unforgettable. The reviewer was particularly impressed by the author's talent and the novel's unique portrayal of art and its impact on the human heart. They found the story to be a fresh and original take on the genre, with a depth of vision that sets it apart from other books on art.

Quick quotes

    This debut The Artist by Lucy Steeds set in 1920s Provence is a work of art itself. This novel sings with refined poetic language, inviting crystalline colours, warm and tender emotional hues.

    The Artist is about two people grabbing the other by the hand and pulling each other into life.

    This is ART! And I cannot recommend it enough for those who crave original stories with skilled poetic expression, raw unwavering truths and an honest peeling of the heart layers — not to mention the multi-dimensional depth of vision.

oxfordstudent.com · Unknown · 2025-08-06
brilliant 4.72

The Artist is praised for its atmospheric and immersive writing, with vivid descriptions of art, food, and nature that transport readers to Provence. The characters, particularly Ettie and Joseph, are deeply engaging, and the novel explores themes of self-discovery, passion, and resilience. Many reviewers highlight the book's exceptional quality, especially for a debut, and its deserving place on award longlists.

The Artist by Lucy Steeds has captivated readers with its rich, sensuous prose and compelling characters. Set in the blazing summer of Provence, the novel follows Joseph, a young journalist, as he interviews the reclusive artist Edouard Tartuffe. The descriptions of light, food, and art are stunningly vivid, immersing readers in the setting and the characters' lives. Ettie, Tartuffe's niece, emerges as a strong, talented woman whose story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The novel explores themes of creativity, the value of art, and the personal struggles of its characters. Many reviewers are amazed that this is a debut novel, praising its atmospheric quality and the depth of its characters. The book's placement on prestigious award longlists is seen as well-deserved, and readers are eagerly anticipating more from Lucy Steeds.

Quick quotes

    A really atmospheric book - the descriptions of painting and scenes set by Ettie. The descriptions of light and food, Joseph's words for his articles and Ettie's choice of texture and colour.

    I fell in love with this novel within the first few pages. Lucy Steeds is an exquisite, sensuous writer. The Artist is brimming with atmosphere, tension, and the sultry heat of a Provençal summer.

    This book is beautiful, I was swept away by it completely - most definitely deserving of its place on the Women's Prize longlist.

londonreviewbookshop.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-01-30
captivating 4.50

The review highlights the captivating and immersive nature of Lucy Steeds' novel, The Artist, set in Provence. The book is praised for its vivid descriptions and engaging narrative, making it a must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts.

Lucy Steeds' The Artist is a beautifully crafted historical novel that transports readers to Provence with its rich and detailed descriptions. The story is immersive and engaging, drawing readers in from the very beginning. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is both intriguing and well-paced. The novel's setting is particularly noteworthy, as it brings the landscape and culture of Provence to life. The Artist is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, offering a captivating escape into a different time and place. The reviewer found the book to be a delightful and enriching experience, with its vivid storytelling and attention to detail.

Quick quotes

    The novel's setting is particularly noteworthy, as it brings the landscape and culture of Provence to life.

    The story is immersive and engaging, drawing readers in from the very beginning.

    The Artist is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, offering a captivating escape into a different time and place.

cindylspear.com · Unknown · 2025-01-21
gorgeously 4.50

The Artist by Lucy Steeds is a gorgeously immersive novel set in Provence, exploring themes of art, war, and the dismissal of women's artistic talent. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Ettie and Joseph, with vivid descriptions of the landscape and art, culminating in a dramatic and satisfying conclusion.

The Artist by Lucy Steeds is a beautifully written novel that immerses readers in the summer landscape of Provence. The story alternates between the perspectives of Ettie, a young woman with artistic talent, and Joseph, a writer seeking to interview the reclusive artist Edouard Tartuffe. The novel explores the aftermath of war, the vibrant food and scenery of Provence, and the age-old dismissal of women's artistic talent. The descriptions of art are particularly arresting, given the author's background in lecturing on the subject. The story is framed by short passages set in London, which add depth and context to the unfolding drama. The novel is replete with small reveals and a very satisfying conclusion, making it a gripping read. The clever title and the exploration of themes make this a standout debut.

Quick quotes

    Steeds’s novel is gorgeously immersive, the summer Provencal landscape and the food it produces vividly evoked.

    Her descriptions of art are arresting as you might expect from a writer whose day job is lecturing on the subject.

    Clever title, too. I’m keen to see what Steeds comes up with next.

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