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“A Piece of the World, by Christina Baker Kline Following her breakout novel, Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline returns to Maine to tell the story behind one of our most iconic paintings, Christina’s World. Juxtaposing the story of how Andrew Wyeth came to paint Christina with Christina’s own life, Kline expertly imagines how an artist sees the interior life of a subject with enough historical detail about the Wyeths, Olsons, and Hathorns (yes, it’s a variation of Hawthorne, as in Nathaniel) to satisfy historical fiction fans. Caught between the elegant summer people and the proud but hardscrabble farm existence of her family, and struggling with life’s disappointments, is Christina cursed by the actions of her ancestor, an unrepentant judge of the Salem witch trials, or simply living out the results of her own decisions?  Her interior resonates so brightly that I’m tempted to take out a set of oils and paint her myself.” —Daniel Goldin, Boswell Book Company (Milwaukee, WI)

 

“A beautifully written story about a painting and artist I love. At turns heartbreaking and hopeful, A Piece of the World will be on everyone’s to read list.” —Kate Schlademan, The Learned Owl Book Shop (Hudson, OH)

“I settled into A Piece of the World as if it were my own, as if I were sitting at Christina Olsen’s knee, listening to her tell the story of her life. Kline’s writing is as powerful and interesting in her new novel as it was in Orphan Train. I couldn’t wait to finish it, and yet I wanted it never to end. I loved this book so much.” –Debbie Taylor of Sherman’s Bookstores, Maine

“Anyone who shares my feelings of this artwork cannot help but be totally engaged in Kline’s novel. It is the unfolding of a masterpiece in hands of a beautiful writer.” –Rita Maggio at BookTowne, Manasquan, NJ

 “In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, my home was without power for several days. I chose to read A Piece of the World during that time. Reading all day and into the night by candlelight, flashlight, book light-I felt a bit like I was on the Olson farm. What a wonderful story! Ms. Kline brought Christina and her family and friends to life so vividly. The story felt absolutely real and completely believable. I will always remember fondly Christina, Andy, Al and the rest whenever I see Christina’s World, and will recommend A Piece of the World whole-heartedly to our customers!” – Lori-Jo Scott of Island Bookstore, Kitty Hawk, NC“I read it in one night. It is wonderful!” – Dianne Patenaude of Toadstool Bookshop, Keene, NH

“OMG! Kline has written another blockbuster of an historical novel, this time about Christina Olson, the subject of one of Andrew Wyeth’s iconic paintings.  I loved this novel and know readers everywhere will, too.” – Beth Carpenter of Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC

“Beautiful art writing with an elegant ending – highly recommended because I fully enjoyed learning more about the Wyeth family and Kline writes with such a sense of place. I feel like I visited with these characters myself, had tea with them, suffered their physical hardships and dreamed their dreams.” – Karen Bakshoain of Letterpress Books, Portland, ME

“I absolutely loved it. I often went to the site of the Olsen farm in Cushing (before the museum) and fell in love with the peace and romance of the spot. We continuously sell Andrew Wyeth’s biography and I cannot wait to sell this. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to gush….It is my favorite of the year!” – Cheryl Perrino of Nonesuch Books, South Portland, ME

“I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was well written, historically interesting, and jumping between time frames was never confusing. The characters remained consistent and the story arc flowed. I will definitely be recommending it to our customers.” – Lynn Silloway of Phoenix-Rutland Bookseller, Rutland, VT

“This depiction of the woman in Andrew Wyeth’s painting ‘Christina’s World’ is incredibly touching and moving. I have loved the works of Andrew Wyeth and this picture among them.  Anyone who shares my feelings of this art work cannot help but be totally engaged in Kline’s novel. It is the unfolding of a masterpiece in hands of a beautiful writer. I will never look at this moving piece in the same way again. I cannot wait to hand sell it to all readers of Orphan Train and even to those who did not.” – Rita Maggio at BookTowne, Manasquan, NJ

“[A] wonderful book. Couldn’t put it down and Christina stole my heart.” – Susan Babish, Hudson Booksellers

“I settled into A Piece of the World as if it were my own, as if I were sitting at Christina Olsen’s knee, listening to her tell the story of her life. Kline’s writing is as powerful and interesting in her new novel as it was in Orphan Train. I couldn’t wait to finish it, and yet I wanted it never to end. I loved this book so much.” – Debbie Taylor of Sherman’s Bookstores, Maine

“What a beautiful, beautiful book! Christina’s world is the hardy Maine coast, with no-nonsense, hard-working people who plow ahead against the obstacles, the only break being the light-hearted summer folk who pop in a few months each year. Yet with all the stoicism, ou r Christina Baker Kline carefully reveals the fragility of their lives, and the fragility of Christina Olsen’s in particular – fragile bodies, fragile relationships, and fragile landscape. I fully lived in a different world for a week and continue to carry the story with me.” – Margot Sage-EL of Watchung Booksellers, Montclair, NJ

“Inspired by Andrew Wyeth’s famous painting Christina’s World, Kline blends fiction and non-fiction to tell the story of the woman behind the painting, Christina Olsen. Her mobility was affected by a debilitating disease and her entire world was a remote farm in Cushing, Maine. For twenty years Wyeth visited the Olsons and painted at the farm using the landscape, artifacts and the people who inhabited this world as inspiration. Beautifully written, Kline brings Christina’s World to life.” – Cathy Van der Bil of Eight Cousins, Falmouth, MA

“Highly recommending.” – Madde Mahony of Buttonwood Books, Cohasset, MA

“A Piece of the World is wonderful historic fiction that evocatively captures the woman behind Andrew Wyteth’s iconic painting “Christina’s World. Christina Baker Kline draws us into the life of Christina Olson – her childhood as the eldest daughter of a hard-working farmer in rural Maine, the nuanced relationships between the well-heeled “summer people” in this coastal town and the year-rounders, and the bonds of tradition and family. The intimacy and strength of Christina’s voice makes this a truly absorbing read!” – Dawn Rennert of Concord Bookshop, Concord, MA

“Readers of “Orphan Train” rejoice—Christina Baker Kline has written another book!

One of the most famous American paintings of the last century was “Christina’s World” by Andrew Wyeth. Christina Baker Kline enters this world in her new book, A Piece of the World and gives voice to Christina Olson, the subject of the painting. Olson reveals herself as a woman who lived her whole life in the house in which she’d been born, a woman with a degenerative disease, a lover of poetry and the natural world, a hard and inventive worker, a person who experienced many disappointments but who remained fiercely independent and stubborn. Indeed, although Olson’s life seems very small, through the lenses Wyeth and Kline bring to it, it transcends limitations.

This is a book which will have great appeal to book groups. Despite all that that she reveals about herself, Olson remains an enigmatic figure. Speculation about that and exploration of the limitations placed on her by her family, the time in which she lived, and her health, will provide many topics for discussion. And groups will surely want to explore the parallels between Olson and her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson.

In this book as in Orphan Train, Kline enters a little known part of our history, bringing it vividly to life by imagining the life of an unlikely heroine.” – Sally Wizik Wills of Beagle and Wolf Books, Park Rapids, MN

“An intricate and appealing portrait of Andrew Wyeth, rendered by the quietly engaging voice of his model Christina Olson, A Piece of the World vividly captures the essence of Main’s coastal artists and more rough hewn year round residents. A rich narractive that delivers a compelling story with its authentic interpretation of the Wyeth legacy of artistry and remote humanity, Kline’s new novel is a splendid follow up to Orphan Train.” – Kenny Brechner of Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers, Farmington, ME

“The wait is over! It was an utter delight to read Christina Baker Kline’s newest novel, A Piece of the World.  There is no tougher act to follow than Kline’s The Orphan Train, but readers will be overjoyed to discover the the author applies the same careful detail to this historical novel.

Here in the Brandywine Valley, the Wyeth family is revered.  Kline brings the legend to life as Christina Olson becomes real to us.  Olson is the inspiration for Andrew Wyeth’s famous painting, Christina’s World which now hangs in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.  Wyeth’s future wife, Betsy, had been visiting the Olson farm as a girl and after she introduces Wyeth, who was then 22, to 46 year old Christina, the two forge an unlikely friendship. Wyeth uses the Maine home Christina shares with her brother as an art studio of sorts and spends much time sketching and painting there.  Christina becomes the subject of much of this work and the resulting painting establishes Wyeth as a force in the art world.  The reader is overcome with empathy for Christina as she battles a life long degenerative disease that leaves her crippled and one soon realizes the force of this partnership is Christina herself.  Intelligence, determination and grit define Christina and Wyeth captures the complex nature of his subject, as does Kline, who breathes life and vitality into Christina leaving the reader cheering her on.” – Donna McFadden of Wellington Square Bookshop, Exton, PA

“An outstanding read.. The book is a background story of Wyeth’ Christina’s Word and I will never view this great painting the same. The story is as complex and simple as are the characters and painting.  It is about time and place and as if now yet in a seeming other dimension that is humanly eternal and universal. For me, it is about the desire to be known, to be seen, and the blocks from within and without that isolate even as one can establish closeness while being appreciated.  I found the writing to be gorgeous.  Surely one of the best novels due in 2017.” – Larry Yoder of Bookies, Denver CO

“As an early fan of Orphan Train I still remember Christina Baker Kline’s first visit to our store and we have gone on to hand sell so many copies of Orphan Train to our customers. So I was very excited to dive into A Piece of the World when it arrived and the novel does not disappoint. I love how Christina brought Christina Olson, a woman so many of us have wondered about as we look at her through Andrew Wyeth’s eyes, so vividly to life. In this beautiful novel –  and because of this beautiful novel – Christina Olson is finally seen.” – Bernadette Albertson of Words, Maplewood, NJ

“A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline is a beautifully rendered novel about the life of Christina Olson who inspired Andrew Wyeth’s famous painting, Christina’s World. Moving back and forth between Christina’s childhood and her long term relationship with Wyeth during her middle years, A Piece of the World captures the internal workings a young woman living with a severe physically debilitating disease in rural Maine. Kline does a masterful job of giving us insight into a fiercely independent young woman who has suffered so many life disappointments but still manages to create a fulfilling life for herself and inspire those around her with her strength.” – Phyllis Spinale of Wellesley Books, Wellesly, MA