Painting the Light by Sally Cabot Gunning
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I was somewhat tentative about Ida Pease’s story at the start. By the time I reached the last page I was utterly enthralled, at moments aghast, although rarely relieved.
Set in Martha’s Vineyard in the early twentieth century, Ida is a gifted portrait painter who before her forlorn marriage had gained a place at the Museum of Fine Arts School, Boston. Ida’s painting time slides away after she marries Ezra. During her marriage she’s devolved into a much put upon wife, a sheep farmer and unpaid worker, an unappreciated daughter-in-law, and finally a widow. Widowhood brings about both ownership rights problems and economic struggles. Ida discovers the scam artist her dead husband was. Her mother-in-law is a rigid tyrant. Idea grows into herself, a woman who seeks to find her voice in a society against women’s rights, and a cyclist—a gift bringing newly appreciated freedom, which includes a repositioned passion for painting.
As Ida slowly uncovers the degree of deceptiveness practised by her husband and his partner Mose Barstow, she comes into contact with Mose’s brother Henry. They work on unravelling both estates. Again more shocks! It’s Henry who introduces Ida to bicycles. Despite his assistance it’s up to Ida to make her own way as she wades through a mountain of deception, of opportunity and rejection.
Ida swirls. She’s coherent and incoherent. Sure of herself and then awkward. Too willing to appease others, scared to trust herself and closed off. Watching Ida grow is both exhausting and exhilarating. Her struggles giveaway to self awareness and renewed directions. There’s pathos and lost moments, alongside enlightening and delightful vignettes. A surprisingly satisfying dénouement.
A William Morrow and Custom House ARC via NetGalley
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