A Piece of the World

While the story of Christina Olson's life–in this fictionalized account–is moving, the novel is ultimately a character study. As portrayed by Kline, Olson is extremely complex. She's driven, but solitary; caring but harsh when offended, which comes easily. She's in pain both physically and mentally and sometimes she takes that pain out on others. But her relationship with the painter Andrew Wyeth is special, and they both know it. I'm glad Kline wrote this story, and I'm glad to have read it.