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The Lady and the Unicorn
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
A tour de force of history and imagination, The Lady and the Unicorn is Tracy Chevalier's answer to the mystery behind one of the art world's great masterpiecesa set of bewitching medieval tapestries that hangs today in the Cluny Museum in Paris. They appear to portray the seduction of a unicorn, but the story behind their making is unknownuntil now. Paris, 1490. A shrewd French nobleman commissions six lavish tapestries celebrating his rising status at Court. He hires the charismatic, arrogant, sublimely talented Nicolas des Innocents to design them. Nicolas creates havoc among the women in the housemother and daughter, servant, and lady-in-waitingbefore taking his designs north to the Brussels workshop where the tapestries are to be woven. There, master weaver Georges de la Chapelle risks everything he has to finish the tapestrieshis finest, most intricate workon time for his exacting French client. The results change all their liveslives that have been captured in the tapestries, for those who know where to look. In The Lady and the Unicorn, Tracy Chevalier weaves fact and fiction into a beautiful, timeless, and intriguing literary tapestryan extraordinary story exquisitely told.
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review
rachaich
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Mehso-so

Not my favourite by Chevalier, I wasn't as drawn in as some of her others.

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rachaich
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Reading, snacking, resting...

15 likes1 stack add
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Andrew65
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Love Tracy Chevalier‘s books, and so agree with her here, where would us men be if it wasn‘t for our wonderful wives! We would all unravel. Posting this in tribute to my wonderful wife of 36 years (in 9 day‘s time) and all the wonderful wives on Litsy.

#Tapestry #InQuotes

@Eggs @AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks

Amiable Happy anniversary (in 9 days) to you and your wonderful wife! 2y
Andrew65 @Amiable Thank you ❤️ 2y
julesG Happy (early) anniversary! 2y
See All 10 Comments
Eggs Happy Anniversary to you and your wife💗🥳❤️ Great quote! 2y
Deblovestoread Happy anniversary 🎉 2y
Ruthiella Lovely quote and sentiment. Happy Anniversary! 🥳🥂 2y
AnnR That's a very sweet quote, dedicated to your wife. Is she on Litsy? Either way, I hope she sees your post. Happy anniversary to you both! 🎉🥳 2y
TheEllieMo Happy anniversary-in-9-days‘-time! 2y
Andrew65 @Ann_Reads Thanks 😍 She is an avid reader bit is not on Litsy. You‘re right I do need to show her the post. 2y
73 likes1 stack add10 comments
review
Tineke
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Pickpick

This was my February #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
I enjoyed the story, but not as much as The girl with the pearl earring. I do love the imagining of historical things, in this case a tapestry and how it came to be. I sure wish I could have been there to see if daily life happened as imagined. Truly wondering if these people saw life and lived life as we do nowadays.
TBR since May 12th. 2011; 232 pages.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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lonelybluenights
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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👩🏻‍🦰+🦄

3 likes1 stack add
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Savugirl
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Pickpick

As no one really knows, this novel is loosely based on the true story of the creation of these amazing tapestries. I can not praise this too much!

15 likes2 stack adds
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IuliaC
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Pickpick

A fictional romance built around the story of these renowned tapestries which are considered possibly the most beautiful work of art of the Middle Ages. If not for the plot itself or characters, the book is nevertheless worth reading just to discover the amount of time, effort, materials and talent required to produce these magnificent medieval works of art. From now on I will be definitely looking at tapestries in museums with different eyes

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StaceyKondla
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 36 #bookstoread #tbrpile

vivastory I've heard great things about Chevalier 5y
StaceyKondla @vivastory - I really enjoyed Girl With a Pearl Earring so I have high hopes for this one 😊 5y
68 likes2 comments
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mrp27
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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#magnificentmarch #aboutanartist

Even though I hardly know anything about art I love to go to art museums and explore their pieces. Some of my favorite museums include the Met, the Guggenheim in NYC and LACMA in Los Angeles. However the most impressive little museum is the Norton Simon in Pasadena. Of course this title is from my tbr.

OriginalCyn620 I love The Met! I know little about art but love museums. 🎨 5y
mrp27 @OriginalCyn620 When I was living in NY I would visit several times a year, I miss it so much. 5y
LeeRHarry I love the Norton Simon museum too - and I‘ve just finished this book! 😊 5y
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mrp27 @LeeRHarry Ha, perfect! 🤗 Norton Simon is such a gem. 5y
Bookwormjillk Is this new? I‘ve liked all of her books that I‘ve read. 5y
mrp27 @Bookwormjillk No, it's pretty old, at least 10 years or more. 5y
Bookwormjillk @mrp27 huh, wonder how I missed that one. I‘ll have to look it up 5y
23 likes7 comments
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Brooke_H
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Mehso-so

I really loved the parts of this book that dealt with the actual creation of the tapestries. I had no idea how medieval tapestries were made, had never thought about it before, and so that part was really fascinating. But almost all of the characters were either unlikable or boring. I didn't give any kind of care about the plot. But three stars for medieval tapestries.

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Mimi28
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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@wanderinglynn Thanks for the #jb #justbecause mail!! Sorry I‘m so far behind guys. I plan to catch up on Friday. Things have been rough lately and my room is a mess even though we moved 8 months ago, lol. Thanks for being so understanding and caring. This is an awesome group!! ✌🏽❤️😻 Write you soon!! Here‘s Stormy giving her sniff of approval, lol #catsoflitsy

wanderinglynn So glad you received it! Enjoy! ☺️ 6y
Mimi28 @wanderinglynn Thanks again for your kindness and patience. I received it Monday. Sorry I just posted it today! You‘re awesome!! ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
62 likes3 comments
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TCLinrow
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Pickpick

The history of the tapestries and the description of how they were made was really interesting. It was based in Brussels more than Paris, but it was stunning how it was able to transport you to the locations and really immerse you in the medieval world. It wasn't what I was in the mood for, but I still really enjoyed it 😊
#BackpackEurope

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wanderinglynn
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Mehso-so

Another week, another country visited in #BackpackEurope. This week was all about 🦄 & 🍺

I “visited” Brussels, Belgium & saw la Grand-Place (above right). That‘s me (left) & my friend Andrea with an actor in the square (in 2009).

Read all about my visit: http://wanderinglynn.com/2018/08/13/backpackeurope-on-to-germany/

And check out my review of The Lady and the Unicorn on GR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2489172017

Texreader So awesome!! 6y
111 likes1 comment
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wanderinglynn
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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#FriYayIntro
1. Labyrinth
2. 🍟
3. I‘m really digging the “Your Daily Mix” playlist on Spotify
4. Tagged

alisiakae I also listen to the Spotify Daily Mix! 6y
wanderinglynn @4thhouseontheleft 👍🏻🙌🏻 6y
MicrobeMom Ooohhh! Labyrinth! Good one. 6y
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wanderinglynn @MicrobeMom 1986 was a good movie year. 6y
sprainedbrain Ooooh another good movie! ❤️ 6y
wanderinglynn @sprainedbrain The 80s has some awesome movies - Labyrinth, The Princess Bride, Willow, Top Gun, Back to the Future, all the John Hughes teen movies, Say Anything 6y
Alfrazier21 Labyrinth!! Love that movie!! We would watch that, Willow and The Dark Crystal on repeat! 6y
wanderinglynn @Alfrazier21 Ooh, The Dark Crystal was a good one too! 👍🏻👍🏻 6y
tammysue I remember so many fun movies in the 80‘s! 6y
wanderinglynn @whatshesreadingnow Yes! The 80s rocked! I didn‘t even name the awesome 80s action movies like Die Hard or Terminator. 6y
LeeRHarry Labyrinth 💕 6y
76 likes11 comments
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wanderinglynn
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Welcome back @JenlovesJT47 - 😀 I‘ve missed these #TuesdayTidbits
1. “This must be Thursday. I never could get the hang of Thursdays.” & “We‘re all mad here.”
2. Oh so so many! But I‘ll go with one I use a lot:
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
3. Hm, there are plenty, but I can‘t think of one right now.
4. Anyone who wants to! 😀

JenlovesJT47 Thanks! And great choices! 😅💚 6y
68 likes1 comment
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GripLitGrl
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love unicorns 🦄💗 6y
vkois88 ❤❤❤ 6y
49 likes2 comments
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mooingzelda
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Pickpick

We're going to Belgium in September, so I've got a few Belgium-based reads to get through before then. This historical novel is set in 15th century Paris and Brussels and revolves around the weaving of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. It's quite enjoyable and a nice quick read if you don't want anything too heavy, while also learning about the intricacies of medieval weaving!

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Kalalalatja
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Mehso-so

This was just okay. I don‘t really know what I expected from this book and from Chevalier, since it is my first book by her, but I definitely hadn‘t expected all the sex. I read the Danish translation, and I‘m not sure if it is a bad translation, or if the writing style just is a bit off, for me. But since my next book for #BackpackEurope is an untranslated Chevalier book, I might find out what I really think about Chevalier‘s writing.

Cathythoughts I did love the movie The Girl with the Pearl Earing. But I only read one of her books ... At the Edge of the Orchard. I didn‘t like it ! 6y
LeahBergen I liked this one 👉🏻 (is it the next one up for you?) 6y
Kalalalatja @LeahBergen no, I‘m reading this next 6y
Kalalalatja @Cathythoughts I‘m reading Girl with Pearl Earring next, and I really hope I like, otherwise it might very well be my last Chevalier book 6y
104 likes4 comments
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Kalalalatja
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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While the characters rest for a bit, I decided to visit the Ghent Festival. First I went to the Medieval breakfast, since it fits into my book‘s time period. Then I went for a stroll around time, and lastly I spent my evening listening to music. IThis book made me think of Madonna songs, so here is my Madonna inspired playlist! #backpackEurope mini challenge

@JenP

BarbaraBB 👍👏👏 6y
kspenmoll Beautiful photo! Glad you went! 6y
mabell 😂😂 6y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen Woohoo 🙌🏻 Madonna 6y
Kalalalatja Hey @JenP does this count for the mini challenge? 😊 6y
Kalalalatja @JenP super, thanks! 6y
83 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Kalalalatja
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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The weaver, Georges de la Chapelle and his wife, Christine, walk in the Grand Place in Bruxelles. They talk about the view from the tower of Hôtel de Ville, and the different Guild Halls which line the place. They spend some time in front of the Weaver‘s Guild Hall, discussing Georges new order for a tapestry for a French noble man and the arrogant artist who has designed it.

Does this qualify for landmark points @JenP #backpackEurope

JenP Yes! Well done! 6y
Kalalalatja @JenP awesome, thanks! 6y
ferskner @JenP I really hope you do this again next summer! I have too much on my plate right now, but it sounds so fun. 6y
JenP @ferskner last year we did a US road trip so next year we will go somewhere else 😊 6y
103 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Kalalalatja
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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I got the message I had been waiting for yesterday, which said my holds from the library were in! So now I‘m moving on to Belgium with the tagged book, and continuing my #backpackEurope trip 👏

Kalalalatja @JenP and @BookwormM the tagging is weird, so I‘m trying to tag you here in the comment instead 🤞 6y
ju.ca.no Great pick for germany😍😍😍 6y
MemoirsForMe Wow! Have a great trip! 👍🏻 6y
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Cathythoughts Lovely covers. I loved The Girl with the Pearl Earing movie ❤️ 6y
julesG All three are great picks. 6y
mabell Yay! I had to wait for a library hold too! I was anxiously watching the "in transit" status ? 6y
Sarah83 Lovely editions 😍 6y
JenP Just in time!! 6y
Kalalalatja @ju.ca.no I can‘t wait to read it! I saw the movie as a child but I have never read the book. And it is such a great edition, the text is printed in colours 😍 @uwannapublishme it is always great to “travel” by reading books 😉 @cathythoughts @barbarabb I haven‘t seen the movie, but I have wanted to read the book for so long, so I‘m excited! @julesg good to know! @mabell the struggles of literary “travelling” 😄 @Jenp I know, I got lucky! 6y
ju.ca.no @Kalalalatja it‘s one of my childhood favourites, also because it is such a pretty book with the text in two colours😍 6y
112 likes1 stack add11 comments
review
KerriNTurner
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Pickpick

Evocative historical fiction. The writing about the process of designing and weaving tapestries was fascinating and obviously well-researched, and the fictional story crafted around this famous centuries-old piece of art had me loathing some characters and hoping for happy endings for others. I was lucky enough to see the tapestries in person recently, and this story left me even more in awe of what was created.

erzascarletbookgasm Lovely (and matching) bookmark! ❤️ 6y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
Book_Gnome
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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“The messenger said I was to come at once.”
#17of365 #bookcover #openingline #notpiratesockmonkey

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Mommamanzi
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier

I adore these little takes on works of art. This is personally one of my favorites of Tracy Chevaliers! Highly recommend this one!

66 likes2 stack adds
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KerriNTurner
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Such a pretty pair of books! My husband sneakily looked at my TBR list on Goodreads, and picked out a few to give me as a surprise.

DivineDiana Now that was a very thoughtful gesture! 7y
22 likes1 comment
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TommieMarie74
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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#humpdaypost
1. These are my book club Momiji dolls (and a couple of their bookish friends).
2. I‘ve had this on my shelf for at least 5 years and just keep passing it over for other books. Thanks to this post, I now realize I have several that have been waiting a long time.
3. Probably pizza.
4. #catsoflitsy and #mounttbr
5. Jaws

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g3656/most-popular-book-year...

84 likes1 comment
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Cohnina
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Ich hatte mich wirklich auf dieses Buch gefreut. Ein historischer Roman mit interessantem Thema. Dachte ich. Stattdessen will der Protagonist alles "pflügen", was nicht bei drei auf den Bäumen ist. Die Protagonistin hat ein dauerfeuchtes "Jungfernschloss". Und von Maman im nächsten Kapitel erwarte ich schon gar nichts mehr ... ?

Moony Ach du meine Güte. Das klingt ja furchtbar. 😯 7y
Cohnina @Moony Das vierte Kapitel spricht der beauftragte Teppichwirker - das ist bislang noch weitestgehend frei von Sexualität. Er kann den Protagonisten auf Anhieb nicht leiden & ich erfahre endlich etwas, was ich von einem historischen Roman erwarte 🎉 Vermutlich bleibt es nur nicht dabei ... 7y
2 likes2 comments
review
Librarybelle
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Pickpick

Chevalier has such an amazing talent, bringing to life the story behind the story. In this case, a series of six tapestries, featuring ladies and a unicorn, as represented by the five senses. Not much is known about the creation of these, so Chevalier's narrative is purely fictional. She does her homework; I learned much about 15th century weaving.

You can visit the tapestries in Paris!

PurpleyPumpkin I really enjoyed this book. And the tapestries are just beautiful, well worth a visit to Paris!😉 7y
Librarybelle @PurpleyPumpkin I'd love to see the tapestries in person! 7y
PurpleyPumpkin You must go! They're so beautiful and quite impressive irl. 7y
60 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Librarybelle
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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When your cat decides to sit on your book, demanding cuddles... #Zeke #catsoflitsy

CatLass007 Kitty love! 7y
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LaurenEH57
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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This book is proving very zoomable, and it's been wonderful to spend a Sunday doing nothing but reading. #monseuldesir

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Liatrek
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Happy Saturday reading 📚📚📚

21 likes2 stack adds
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Liatrek
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Late night reading and a little Litsy therapy. I ❤️ all the relaxing time I spend on Litsy. It's the perfect escape after a long day of work crazy. 📚📚📚

Crystalblu Agreed! It is totally my decompress after work. 8y
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Liatrek
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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Really enjoying this book so far. I love to see the dynamic of women in other centuries and how the navigate the world of men and restrictions placed on them. Alienor and her mother great characters so far.

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Cohnina
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#bookcrossing - so gespannt auf dieses Buch 😊

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EricaCurtis11
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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#palatecleanser I read this book after finishing the Nix which weighed in at 655 pages. I needed something quick and easy before starting into Underground Airlines. My husband @manifestsanity may have also overheard me mumbling under my breath, "Now that's a f*#%ing tapestry" as I studied the picture above in great detail while reading the book. #feistyfeb

Lindy It's over 10 years since I read this, but I still remember my irritation about characters' inexplicable behaviour. Most of all, why a certain woman would even want to marry Nicolas. 🤔 8y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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mhillis
The Lady and the Unicorn | Tracy Chevalier
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#funfridayphoto A couple of coffee table books from art exhibits that I really enjoyed!

cariashley Renoir! 😍 8y
40 likes1 comment