by Joanna Scott
First published 2004
Egon Schiele declares himself a genius. The young Austrian artist studies under Gustav Klimt and pushes against every boundary he encounters in early twentieth century Europe. His provocative work and unconventional lifestyle draw fierce criticism from conservative society. Authorities arrest him on charges of immorality and lock him in jail. The scandal only amplifies his reputation as a dangerous, Mephistophelean figure in the art world. Schiele continues creating his controversial paintings while navigating the restrictive moral climate of his era. Multiple voices tell his story across different time periods, revealing how his brief but intense career shaped those around him. The narrative follows Schiele until his death at twenty-eight during the Great Flu Pandemic, capturing both his artistic ambition and the personal cost of his uncompromising vision.
Genres: art, historical-fiction, 20th-century, biographical-fiction
Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: artist-protagonist, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Europe, Austria
Period: Early 20th Century
288 pages · Paperback · Picador
Content warnings: abuse