The February selection of the Tuesday Afternoon Book Club was “A Piece of the World” by Christina Baker Kline.

Christina Olson’s world was her family’s remote farm in the small coastal town of Cushing, Maine. She is born in the late 1890’s and suffered an illness as a child which left her with major disabilities. She struggled with her family and school friends to fit in. As a grown woman she meets artist Andrew Wyeth, who married her friend Betsy. Christina became host and inspiration to him for over 20 years. She was the subject of one of his best known paintings of the 20th century, “Christina’s World”. The author interweaves fact and fiction into a powerful novel. It brings into focus the harsh life of the woman behind the portrait. “A Piece of the World” is a story about the burdens and blessings of family history and how an artist and everyday woman can come together creating a beautiful artistic legacy. Book club members enjoyed reading this book. Several members heard Christina Baker Kline speak a year ago in Mason City. She talked about writing this book and how she spent several years researching the time period, rural life and Andrew Wyeth. The result is a well written, thought provoking novel.

 Stop by the LeRoy Public Library to check out this book or one of their large selection. A good book or two will help you survive our wintry weather.