I quite enjoyed this book

Jan 06: Reserved for TO convention

received at the 2006 Toronto Convention. Thanks so much!!!

This story revolves around the Lady and the Unicorn set of tapestries. Nicolas des Innocents is commissioned by Jean Le Viste to create these works of art. Nicholas espies Claude, the nobleman's daughter and immediately falls in lust. Nicholas while a wonderful painter is also a lover of women. He has already impregnanted the Le Viste's maid.

The story follows the making of the tapestries though the paintings, the creation of 'cartoons' and then the weaving. We learn about each of the families connected to the tapestries. The De La Chappelles are chosen to weave the tapestries and of course they have a beautiful blind daughter.

The most interesting aspect of the story was how these works of art were created and the 'cost' to these artisans in creating these pieces

Started reading yesterday!!

Chevalier takes us into the artisan world of painters and weavers to describe a set of tapestries commissioned by the Le Viste family. The painter, Nicholas, convinces Le Viste to switch from battle tapestries to those following the story of the lady and the unicorn, which is a sensual story. The tapestries exist in real life but Chevalier makes up a story to envision how they were created.
Meanwhile, Nicholas tries to seduce every woman he meets, including Le Viste's daughter. He considers himself quite the charmer and his ways don't change when he is sent to Belgium to help the weavers.

The story is told from different characters' viewpoints - everyone from Nicholas, to Le Viste's daughter, to members of the weaver's family. Even with the switches in narration, the story is smooth and makes sense. It's easy to connect with the characters and wonder what will happen to them.

I was intrigued enough after finishing the book to go look up what the tapestries actually look like. If you do the same, make sure you find the picture where they are all hung up in the same room! It's quite something!

This book is with me!!

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Taking to a Meet-Up

I adored Chevalier's *The Girl With The Pearl Earring* though I couldn't get into or finish *Falling Angels*. However, this story looks quite intriguing so I am eager to give it a try. Thanks, and nice seeing both of you again today at the meetup

An interesting read, though not nearly as good a story as Girl With the Pearl Earring. Will bring this to the next meetup to move it along.

'Caught at a mini-meetup last Friday. I have an old record (c. 1972) called "The Lady and the Unicorn" by UK acoustic guitar genius John Renbourne. This same tapestry is on the album cover.
Anyway...will try to get to this one. I did like "...Pearl Earring", but this one hangs around the house too long, will drop at OBCZ/Starbucks at Yonge and Bloor - heart of Toronto.