The Trial of True Love [Paperback]

William Nicholson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Nan A. Talese (2005)
• ASIN: B0012KSVR6
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "worship before knowledge, icons before photographs, dreams before memories.", August 26, 2005

By 

Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trial of True Love (Hardcover)

At age thirty, Bron, a London writer, remains commitment phobic, on the verge of what he hopes will be a successful career, with a contract to compose a book about love at first sight. Bron throws himself into this task with a vengeance, his premise based primarily on the life and love of Artist Paul Marotte. The young author, who has despaired of ever experiencing his topic first hand, moves to a cottage on the estate of his friend, where (viola!) Bron meets the beautiful and mysterious Flora. Casting aside the task at hand for more personal pursuits, Bron follows Flora to Amsterdam, suddenly embroiled in the confusion and angst of his own "love at first sight".

Captivated by Flora, Bron questions his own presumptions of romance and fidelity, the loving self closely tied to the true self. He is on the chase of his life, pursuing Flora, who is not only married but cynical, believing all men who desire her are only after one thing. She isn't sure how to assess Bron, who enjoys more success with her by posing theories on the nature of love than bringing his affections to fruition. For his part, Bron is so consumed with the ideal of Flora that he fails to analyze the attraction beyond her beauty and resistance, but Bron is eventually stimulated in his writing endeavors in this strange dance, forced to reassess his own assumptions. It is difficult to have sympathy for Flora, burdened with her beauty, resenting the covert stares of men. Flora's response to all and sundry is petulant, much like those who agonize over their burden, "don't hate me because I'm beautiful".

While in Amsterdam, Bron meets Freddy Christensen, an art collector who enjoys discussing the Nazi Occupation's usurpation of Jewish art collections during the war, as allowed by Regulation 58/42. The Germans saved the paintings, while exterminating their owners. Freddy gleefully attacks Bron's theories of true love, asking, "Is it possible that what a man wants to give is not what a woman wants to receive?" Bron believes that love can be given, while Freddy suggests it can only be taken. The quandary for Bron is in determining the right approach to Flora, but much of his enchantment is predicated on fantasy. The formerly commitment-phobic is in new territory, unsure and dangerously romantic.

The Trial of True Love is a departure for Nicholson, whose previous novel, The Society of Others, was of an entirely different nature. This more romantically-inclined novel woven around the fictitious painter, Paul Marotte and Bron's own amorous adventures, Nicholson uses fragments of letters from the artist to his beloved, a governess; he also mines literature for sentiments from like-mined poets and authors, all building a case that Bron is forced to prove to himself. After all the hyperbole, Bron must test his assumptions in real life, with himself as the guinea pig. The elusive Flora leads Bron on a lively chase, as does her Marotte-collecting friend, Freddy Christiansen. Bron's personal lesson in love and self-deception is the most difficult of all, yet ultimately the most rewarding. Luan Gaines/2005.

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, December 8, 2006

By 

UES - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trial of True Love (Hardcover)

Thirty-year-old Bron decides to write a book about love at first sight, a topic he knows nothing about (love and relationships are not Bron's strong point). How lucky it is then that he meets Flora, a gorgeous but troubled girl. Of course, he falls in love with her--at first sight. The relationship does not flourish, though. On the contrary. And the end that Nicholson chooses to give his book is both sappy and clichéd, although it might please those readers who need a happy ending, no matter how improbable.

3.0 out of 5 stars Talk, Talk, Talk, July 17, 2006

By 

Rikki Boyce (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Trial of True Love (Hardcover)

It's a love story. It's a philosophy discussion. You'll like this book if either of those interest you. If you're looking for action, or even much activity, you'll hate it. My book club selected this book, and everyone had extreme opinions. Except me.

Nicely written, it intriuged me so much I started looking up details to see if they were true. That might be why I rather liked this book. But -- fair warning -- doing this will kinda spoil the biggest twist in the plot.