March 2017

Back when I read ORPHAN TRAIN (a 2013 Bets On selection), I found myself thinking: Now what does Christina Baker Kline write after this? Happily she has surprised me with a wonderful story about yet another slice of American life. In A PIECE OF THE WORLD, she shares the story of Christina Olson, who was depicted in Andrew Wyeth’s famous painting, Christina’s World, which is on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art.

Olson resided on a remote farm in Maine in a home that her family had lived in for generations. The house was primitive with no electricity, but it and the farm were “the world” to Olson, who was struck with a crippling injury that left her incapacitated, often dragging herself around the grounds and up and down stairs in the house. After dismal dreary winters when Olson and her brother would often retire early to save using lamplight, Wyeth would arrive and bring energy and life to the farm as he happily set up studio space there to paint --- a pattern he kept up for 20 years.

Christina does a wonderful job of drawing both characters and place, making you see the rugged farmland while also feeling emotion for Olson and the contentment she has in her life that feels so limited. Wyeth is portrayed as the artist around whom the world spins; he brings color to the story beyond his painting. This would make a great discussion book for book groups, and those in the New York area should see the painting in person, though it can be found in the book as well. And for a road trip for readers, think about visiting the farm in Maine that has been restored and welcomes visitors.