The Vow

Jude Berman

2024

I love great historical fiction about women. This one drew me in and made me question whether art can exist absent the artist’s human desires, a fascinating subject on its own. The Vow opens a tantalizing portal into the mind of Angelica Kauffman, a pioneer female history painter who crossed paths with the titans of art and society in late 18^th century London and Rome. I read its chapters into the night, fascinated by the emotional complexity of the woman Jude Berman recreates in these pages. Torn between her earthly and creative passions, Angelica’s life is populated by a vivid cast of male characters, each with his own designs on her body, her time, and her talent. Their betrayals, large and small, provide rich context to the series of vows she makes over her long and illustrious career, and make her achievements seem even more remarkable. The prose is beautiful and thought provoking, and Berman’s thorough knowledge of her subject enhances its elegance. I loved this book, and know you will, too.

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