Book Review: Canadian author Connie Gault draws on subversive painting in new novel (opens original article in a new tab)

Canadian author Connie Gault's novel 'A Study in Red' draws on Edgar Degas' painting 'Combing the Hair' to explore themes of mystery, memory, and human relationships through the perspectives of two women confronting a shared secret from their past.

• Canadian author Connie Gault's novel 'A Study in Red' uses Edgar Degas' painting 'Combing the Hair' as a motif and blueprint for the story.
• The novel follows two narrators, Amy and Carol, who experience a traumatic event in 1962 and confront their shared secret decades later after the death of a pivotal character.
• Gault's narrative explores themes of mystery, memory, and the complexity of human relationships without relying on melodrama or clear resolutions.
• The story emphasizes the beauty of language and the enduring power of unresolved mysteries in art and life.