"I am an artist you know ... it is my right to be odd."
Katherine Walsingham, the only daughter of the CEO of Walsingham Industries, is an artist by calling and temperament, a lover of literature, a philosophical idealist who also has a talent for leaping ahead with anything that seems like a good idea at the time, often landing in hot water with her sharp tongue and allegorical paintings to the amusement and consternation of everyone around her.
Setting her heart on opening her own gallery, Katherine finds accomplishing her dream is not an easy task and must quickly learn to balance art and business. With so much to do, romance is the last thing on her mind, and despite her best efforts to avoid any entanglements, she catches the eye of one of New York's most eligible bachelors.
From her own reticence to become involved with anyone, to the dark rumours spread about his family, it is a relationship that seems doomed. Will allow love to blossom despite all the odds, or will his past history come to haunt them and keep them apart?
Find out in the epic novel BRUSHSTROKES of a GADFLY, Book One of the Gadfly Saga.
Book Details:
Batalha Publishers, May 21, 2011
Hardcover
1040 pages
ISBN: 9899684457
(ISBN13: 9789899684454)
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Review by Randall Radic on Blogcritics.org
According to Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, a
gadfly is "an insect that goads or stings cattle, as a horsefly.
A person who annoys or irritates others." Supposedly, the Greek
philosopher Socrates was a gadfly because he irritated others by
causing them to analyze their thought processes. Inevitably, analysis
revealed errors of not only reasoning but conclusions – mental boo
boos. Rather than rejoicing over their newfound enlightenment, people
became upset. People don’t like being told they are wrong or stupid
or illogical. So they began avoiding Socrates like the plague, along
with talking about him behind his back, saying nasty things about him.
But Socrates didn’t care. He considered it his duty to be an
irritant, a gadfly. So he kept doing it. In the end, he annoyed so
many people so much that they decided to do something about it. It
wasn’t pleasant.
Jesus was a gadfly too.
So is the protagonist of Brushstrokes of a Gadfly, a
wonderful, walloping novel by E.A. Bucchianeri.
Katherine Walsingham is the star of Brushstrokes. She is beautiful, talented, intelligent, sensual, and comes from an affluent, well-bred family in New York City. Kat’s only flaw is that she enjoys stirring the pot. She doesn’t believe in going along to get along. Thus, she utilizes her art to cause viewers to re-evaluate their conclusions about religion, cultural traditions, nuclear power, women’s rights, government corruption, and the true definition of freedom. Naturally, Kat receives lots of attention, while at the same time annoying lots of people, people who prefer the status quo to remain stationary.
Katherine Walsingham is the star of Brushstrokes. She is beautiful, talented, intelligent, sensual, and comes from an affluent, well-bred family in New York City. Kat’s only flaw is that she enjoys stirring the pot. She doesn’t believe in going along to get along. Thus, she utilizes her art to cause viewers to re-evaluate their conclusions about religion, cultural traditions, nuclear power, women’s rights, government corruption, and the true definition of freedom. Naturally, Kat receives lots of attention, while at the same time annoying lots of people, people who prefer the status quo to remain stationary.
The pedantry of Katherine is obvious, as she tries to
set the world to rights.
What’s funny is that while Kat is busy being a gadfly, the pedantry of Life wiggles in and disrupts Kat’s vision for her future. Determined to eschew romantic entanglements because of their destabilizing effects, Kat unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. Because of a peculiar combination of circumstances – Kat’s reluctance, her paramour’s family, and gossip – the romance appears headed for disappointment.
What’s funny is that while Kat is busy being a gadfly, the pedantry of Life wiggles in and disrupts Kat’s vision for her future. Determined to eschew romantic entanglements because of their destabilizing effects, Kat unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. Because of a peculiar combination of circumstances – Kat’s reluctance, her paramour’s family, and gossip – the romance appears headed for disappointment.
Whether or not Life and Love find a way won’t be
discussed. You’ll have to read the book to find out.
Essentially, Brushstrokes is a high literary romance
novel. Imagine Roberto Bolano meets Nicholas Sparks: erudite and
gracious with a saccharine undertone of romance and the
unpredictability of life. In other words, it’s exaggerated, quaint,
absurd, funny, touching, and very much like reality.
E.A. Bucchianeri guides the reader through all the
twists and turns of the story with remarkable aplomb, utilizing what
the reviewer calls "an informed literary style."
Translation: easy to read, yet without all the dreary flatness that
inhabits most ‘high literary’ novels. The story sparkles with
various subplots and unique characters – stories within the story
– that provide diversion and respite from the primary thread of
romantic tension.
The reviewer’s favorite is Kat’s grandfather, who, having avoided the psychological pitfalls of great wealth, speaks from his heart, which he wears on his sleeve.
The reviewer’s favorite is Kat’s grandfather, who, having avoided the psychological pitfalls of great wealth, speaks from his heart, which he wears on his sleeve.
Brushstrokes of a Gadfly is a big book, weighing in at
a couple of pounds (...). Just looking at it makes a
potential reader pause and consider. However, any doubts may be set
aside. After the first two pages, you’ll be pleased with your
purchase. It’s long, but it has everything you’re looking for:
humor, love, human interrelations, good writing, a plot that moves
along, and emotional catharsis.
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NOW AVAILABLE! Book 2 of the Gadfly Saga!
VOCATION OF A GADFLY - Find out more, click here.
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NOW AVAILABLE! Book 2 of the Gadfly Saga!
VOCATION OF A GADFLY - Find out more, click here.
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