Customer Reviews

The Portrait

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Portrait" was so absolutely different than anything I have ever read. It tells the story of Imogene and Jonas. Imogene has felt invisible her entire life. To gain acceptance of her father, she decides to enroll in an art class. The instructor of this class is Jonas. Jonas has a fear of abandonment due to his manic behavior caused by a mental illness. No one in his life has stood by him. No matter what they promise, they all eventually leave...until Imogene. Watching Imogene and Jonas come together had me flipping the pages like mad to get to the ending. This book was truly unputdownable. I loved Imogenes tenacity and I adored Jonas as well, although, I must admit that Im not sure Id have the strength to be in a relationship with him. All in all, this book, even though not quite a 5 star read for me...is definitely a keeper.

Jonas Whitaker is an artist with a studio in New York where he paints, carouses and sometimes teaches students. He has a powerful patron who has promoted him to the position of prominence he holds at the time the books opens. He is also alienated from his family because he suffers from a condition that today would be termed bi-polar disorder or manic-depression. In the 19th century it was simply madness.

Imogene Carter is the daughter of a wealthy dilatante artist who lives in Nashville (the Athens of the South). Her sister had been a talented young artist, but her sister had died. In an effort to please her father, Imogene has come to New York, where her godfather has secured for her a place among Jonas Whitaker's students.

The depiction of someone suffering a bi-polar disorder is very realistic. Chance does an excellent job of portraying a three dimensional couple with real problems that must be overcome. It's a particular pleasure to see Imogene realize and resolve her own issues with her family.

If you enjoy iconoclastic romances this is definitely a book to treasure.

I know three manic-depressive people and I have to say that the male lead in this book is an accurate representation of the illness. Seeing things (the illness) through his eyes helped me be more understanding about manic-depression; to see how the person really feels when going through the different stages. the author really did a wonderful job with this. My only complaint is that the story could've been longer. I think she could've drawn out more how the illness developes in stages. The romance itself I think could've also used more explanation, like why she could love this man after all she had seen of him-after only a few weeks! I do think she was a strong character, just what he needed.
Try reading 'Beyond Seduction' by Emma Holly for another male hero that is deeper than he looks ;)

There are often times when I question a writer's decisions...why did she say that?..why did she let that happen?....there were no such times in this book. Not once did I question a sentence, a word, an emotion, an action. This book read like poetry. It was intriguing from start to finish. We were taken on a coaster ride through the cold, dark world of a madman and the cold, dark streets of nineteenth century Greenwhich Village.

This was a captivating read and definitely worth more than its 5 star status.

If you're looking for a darker, angsty read of the unusual, this romance is one of the most beautifully written pieces of the genre. A keeper for me. Yes, Imogene wants Jonas to teach her art, but he also teaches her about courage and strength, and in return Imogene teaches the bipolar Jonas about trust and love. Set in the early 1900s, this novel is an amazing testament to Megan Chance's skillful ability to craft realistic characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were different and interesting. Imogene wasn't the usual timid woman and Ms. Chance certantly took risks when she wrote the character for Jonas. This book showed the dark side of the artist, along with the good side. Excellent writing.

Easily the best book I came across in a long time. I lost myself in it for a day, and after it was hard not to think about it.

This is a truly one of kind novel that will leave you a little sad at the end despite it having a happy ending. It's a novel filled with with strong emotions and passions. The heroine is a very hurt and broken young women from having to deal with an unloving family. The hero is a man who suffers from a mental issues (he is bipolar) that has left him broken and unwilling to trust anyone. Put these two together and you have a Geary wrenching and beautiful story of love.

I finished THE PORTRAIT last night, and I had to take a few hours to recover. I was not prepared for how this book would affect me. The author writes some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read, and Jonas puts other dark, tortured heroes to shame.

This is not your garden-variety ordinary historical romance. The setting is unique - New York 1855. The story is unique to say the least, and the conflict is realistic, not manufactured. THE PORTRAIT sparkles from the first page to the last. Jonas, Rico, and Genie are beautifully written and the story is wonderfully different.

I found Imogene's quiet strength admirable and her struggle to step outside her sister's shadow and find her own voice courageous. There are so many things I loved about this book and will carry with me for a very long time - the message of hope at the end for Jonas and Genie, Genie telling Jonas that she would keep him safe, Jonas's painful belief that people he loves always leave him because he's just too much work, Genie's almost childish pleasure when Rico and Jonas gave her her "nickname", and, of course, Rico's selflessness.

The Portrait should be on everyone's "keeper" shelf. Ms. Chance's story of redemption, courage, and hope is unforgettable.

I loved this book from beginning to end. It deals with manic depression in an honest way. It was beautiful and bittersweet. I haven't enjoyed a romance book like this in a long time. Thank you Megan Chance!