White On White

Local Description

Matilda Bookshop Review

An unnamed narrator, a student of Gothic nudes, moves to a new town and is compelled by circumstance to share her life with the owner of her apartment. Through her conversations, Agnes, the landlady, explores both the beauty and mutability of art, marriage, parenting and friendships. The bleached bones of Savas' terse writing add to an air of general disquiet which permeates throughout. This is a haunting and thought-provoking novel perfect for fans of Rachel Cusk.  GAVIN

Description

'Gentle, mysterious and profound.' Marina Abramovic'A haunting, irresistible novel. It's breathtaking.' Brandon Taylor'Marvelous, as elegant as an opaque sheet of ice.' Lauren Groff'An acute and obliterating double portrait.' Leanne ShaptonA student moves to the city to research Gothic nudes, renting an apartment from a painter, Agnes, who lives in another town with her husband. One day, Agnes arrives in the city and settles into the upstairs studio.In their meetings on the stairs, in the studio, at the corner café, the kitchen at dawn, Agnes tells stories of her youth, her family, her marriage, and ideas for her art - which is always just about to be created. As the months pass, it becomes clear that Agnes might not have a place to return to. The student is increasingly aware of Agnes's disintegration. Her stories are frenetic; her art scattered and unfinished, white paint on a white canvas.What emerges is the menacing sense that every life is always at the edge of disaster, no matter its seeming stability. Alongside the research into human figures, the student is learning, from a cool distance, about the narrow divide between happiness and resentment, creativity and madness, contentment and chaos.White on White is a sharp exploration of empathy and cruelty, and the stunning discovery of what it means to be truly vulnerable, and laid bare.