This is a wonderful, old-fashioned novel of broad sweep in time and action.  Beginning in WWII in 1944 in Florence and ending there in 1979, Winman takes us on a fast-paced and deeply moving journey with a large cast of memorable characters.  We meet Ulysses Temper and Evelyn Skinner, Alys the kid and Peg, Col and Cressy, the blue macaw Claude, and piano playing Pete.  Along the way, what seems like hundreds of minor characters (none of whom are treated as ‘minor’) enrich the story and capture your interest.  Nobody and nowhere are minor to Winman.

It’s always hard to describe a novel without ruining the plot for future readers, but I’ll try.  Picture a young Brit in the Army which is fighting its way up the length of Italy in WWII who comes across an art historian who is trying to locate and save paintings and sculpture stolen by the Nazis.  After lifetimes of others, they encounter each other 30 years later in the same magical Italian city.  Evelyn’s life story is the final chapter in the book which she narrates as the entire cast of characters celebrates her 99th birthday.  Along the way, Ulysses and Evelyn fall in love with others, keep returning to Italy, form incredibly rich and wonderful friendships, attract and fasten on to fascinating people, etc. etc.

The last book I remember reading that had a similar sweep and cast of characters was ‘The Thorn Birds’ and that had to be 40 years ago.  Read ‘Still Life’ for a joyful and engaging experience—you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll celebrate what it means to love, to eat and drink fine food and wine, to travel, to lose one’s self in art, to have friends, and to LIVE!