Title: The Blazing World
Author: Siri Hustvedt
First published March 1, 2014
368 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781476747231 (ISBN10: 1476747237)
Rating: 3.7
Overview
In Siri Hustvedt’s gripping novel, The Blazing World, an artist who has long been disregarded by the art world sets out to conduct a daring experiment. She decides to conceal her true female identity behind three male fronts.
The story is presented as a collection of texts, edited and introduced by a scholar years after the artist’s death. The book draws on extracts from the artist’s notebooks and conflicting accounts from others about her life and work.
When she finally steps forward to reveal herself as the force behind three solo shows, there are still those who doubt her claims. The last exhibition, initially credited to a male artist, was created by her.
But even as she asserts her true identity, there are those who refuse to believe it. The artist’s journals reveal that she was involved with a male artist named Rune, and the two of them were locked in a charged and dangerous psychological game that ended with Rune’s bizarre death.
The Blazing World is a complex and fascinating work, exploring the shaping influences of prejudice, money, fame, and desire on how we see and interact with one another. It is a deeply emotional, intellectually rigorous, and engaging novel that will keep you hooked until the very end.
About the Author
Siri Hustvedt was born in Northfield, Minnesota to Lloyd Hustvedt, who was a Scandinavian literature professor, and Ester Vegan, who emigrated from Norway when she was thirty. Hustvedt received her education from St. Olaf College, where she earned a B.A. in history, and Columbia University, where she earned a Ph.D. in English.
Her thesis on Charles Dickens was titled Figures of Dust: A Reading of Our Mutual Friend.
Hustvedt is primarily known as a novelist but has also published a book of poetry and numerous short stories and essays in publications such as The Art of the Essay, The Best American Short Stories, The Paris Review, Yale Review, and Modern Painters.
In her writing, Hustvedt often employs repetitive themes or symbols, including voyeurism and the use of objects related to deceased characters to explore the identity of the living. She also writes essays on art history and theory and frequently includes references to painting and painters in her fiction, such as in her novel.
Hustvedt resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, writer Paul Auster, and their daughter, singer and actress Sophie Auster.
Editoral Review
Siri Hustvedt’s The Blazing World is a stunning work of fiction that defies easy categorization. Published on March 1, 2014, the novel blends elements of mystery, philosophy, and art history to create a richly layered and thought-provoking narrative.
Hustvedt, who is known for her literary fiction, has crafted a complex and ambitious work that will linger with readers long after they turn the final pages. Set in present-day New York City, The Blazing World tells the story of Harriet Burden, a talented artist who feels overlooked and undervalued by the art world.
In an attempt to gain recognition, Harriet devises an experiment in which she collaborates with three male artists, presenting their work under her name. The project is met with significant success, but Harriet’s anonymity becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.
When one of the collaborators dies, Harriet decides to reveal her role in the project, but her confession is met with suspicion and disbelief. Throughout the novel, Hustvedt delves into themes of gender, identity, creativity, and perception.
She examines the ways in which women artists are marginalized, as well as the complicated dynamics of power and fame in the art world. Harriet is a fascinating and flawed protagonist, and her story is told through a series of documents, including journal entries, interviews, and fictionalized excerpts from the work of art historians, creating a kaleidoscopic effect that mirrors the fragmentation and multi-layered nature of art itself.
Hustvedt’s writing is exquisite, and she demonstrates a deep knowledge of art, literature, and philosophy. Her prose is at times dense, but it rewards careful attention, with deftly crafted sentences and nuanced insights.
The novel’s structure is complex, but it effectively conveys the sense of disorientation and uncertainty that Harriet experiences. The Blazing World is not without its flaws, however.
The novel’s pacing is occasionally slow, and some readers may find the multitude of voices and perspectives overwhelming. Additionally, while Hustvedt’s exploration of gender and identity is insightful, her treatment of race feels underdeveloped and superficial.
Overall, The Blazing World is a must-read for fans of literary fiction, contemporary art, and philosophy. Hustvedt’s talent as a writer is undeniable, and her sharp observations about the art world and society at large are both timely and timeless.
Despite its occasional shortcomings, The Blazing World is a masterful work of fiction that will leave an indelible mark on its readers. Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
