Come join our book group for a discussion of "The Velveteen Daughter" by Laurel Huber Loved the book? Hated the book? Couldn't finish it? Come join us anyway! Newcomers are always welcome!
The first book to reveal the true story of the woman who wrote The Velveteen Rabbit and her daughter, a world-famous child prodigy artist, (The Velveteen Daughter) explores the consequences of early fame, the effects of mental illness on art and genius, and the inability of a mother to save her daughter from herself.
Debut novelist Huber brings psychological acuity and tender empathy to her portraits of Margery Williams, the English American author of the children’s literature classic The Velveteen Rabbit, and her artist daughter, Pamela Bianco. Huber’s novel knits their viewpoints together in short alternating chapters, a perfect structure for characters whose lives are so intertwined that it would be difficult to tell their stories separately. Growing up in early twentieth-century Turin, Pamela displays such uncanny artistic talent that her Italian-born father puts her under the spotlight, arranging exhibitions that gain her international attention. This childhood fame has dire repercussions. As a young woman in New York’s art scene, Pamela endures melancholic episodes and suffers intense, unrequited love for a family friend, while lively, warmhearted Margery constantly worries about her fragile daughter’s stability. Huber excels in depicting these complex family dynamics, and her subject is strikingly original. Combining the elegance of literary fiction with realistic period atmosphere and an emotional openness reminiscent of personal memoirs, the prose is entirely immersive. A compelling read for art- and women’s-history enthusiasts as well as historical-fiction fans.
This is hybrid meeting, we will be meeting in person, but there is an option to join us virtually if you would like. Email mccref@slcolibrary.org for information.
