An artists' colony is a false paradise for a frustrated writer in this "witty, knowing, and perceptive" novel from a Pulitzer Prizewinning author (The New Yorker).
The mansion is called Illyria, but for the writers and artists who flock there each summer, it's a Garden of Eden where every artistic curiosity is explored. Away from family, friends, and ordinary responsibilities, the creative spirit can flower, nurtured by the company of other artistic souls. Janet Belle Smith's husband doesn't understand why she can't write at homeor really, for that matter, why she must write at allbut for Janet, the reason is clear: Only in Illyria can she be herself.
But as the writer mingles with her fellow artistsincluding a Marxist novelist, a Beat poet, and a wild-man sculptorshe begins to fear that the "real" her isn't who she expected, and Illyria is not the peaceful kingdom it appears to be. This creative paradise is rotting from the inside out, and if Janet doesn't move quickly, she'll be trapped in the rubble when the walls come tumbling down.
From the National Book Awardshortlisted author of Foreign Affairs, this humorous story "goes down pleasantly, like a glass of lemonade" (The New York Times).
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Alison Lurie including rare images from the author's collection.