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Book Review on Sarah Winman's Still Life

Sarah Winman's book coverSarah Winman’s Still Life is a deeply moving novel that left me unexpectedly emotional—even tearing up at the hairdresser’s as I sat reading while waiting for my daughter to have her blow-dry! But while the story brings immense beauty, it’s not a light read; it’s one to savor. After one false start, I had to commit to it in order to follow its interwoven lives and appreciate its themes of art, love, and fate.

The title, Still Life, might seem a bit cheesy—an obvious play on words, connecting art and the act of “capturing life.” But this story is anything but still. It’s about lives constantly in motion, with characters finding beauty and meaning in unexpected places—especially in Florence, where much of the novel unfolds. While the title hints at art, the story is truly about lives fully lived, even in quiet or unnoticed ways.

The story, Still Life, begins in WWII, where Ulysses Temper, a British soldier, meets Evelyn Skinner, an older art historian, in a Tuscan wine cellar. This meeting sparks a chain of events and connections that span decades. Evelyn, with her love for Italy and knowledge of art, brings a subtle wisdom that stays with Ulysses. Around this point in the novel, she shares a memory of a deep love for Livia, an Italian maid she met in Florence when she was just 21 and never forgot. The theme of love, both romantic and familial, forms various emotional threads throughout the novel, showing the endurance of love across distance, time, and place.

After the war, Ulysses returns to his London neighborhood, reconnecting with his estranged wife, Peg—a singer who, throughout the novel, holds a special place in his heart. They separate, with Peg having conceived a child with an American soldier whom she remains in love with. Ulysses takes on a fatherly role to Peg’s daughter, Alys, and forms a bond that Peg is unable to create with her. Together with friends like Cressy, a wise old philosopher, and Claude, an eccentric parrot, Ulysses and this ‘chosen family’ make their way to Florence after he inherits a property there.

Florence becomes more than a backdrop to the novel—it’s like a character itself. At different points in the story, Ulysses, Evelyn, Peg, and the others are drawn into its beauty and culture, setting up a pensione and embracing the Italian way of life. The book overflows with references to art and literature, as Evelyn shares her passion for Florence and art. There’s also a nod to the literary circuit with references to both Forster and Woolf, whose circle Evelyn, we learn, was on the periphery of.

Winman uses significant world events, like WWII and the transformative 1966 Florence flood, to give structure to the story and explore human connection. These moments shape the characters’ lives and bring them together in surprising ways. The flood, a real historical event, becomes a pivotal point where Evelyn’s former students come to Florence to help save its art. It’s a powerful moment of reconnection, symbolizing how shared passions and crises can unite people across generations. It goes deeper than that, though; somehow, I can’t put the connections into words. It’s almost like you have to read the book to feel it. I guess it is all somehow linked to the clarity and poetic writing that is beautifully crafted.

Winman’s characters are so real—flawed yet likable. It’s hard to choose a single “main” character, which is a testament to how well she crafted each person’s story. Everyone, from Ulysses to Evelyn to Cress, has their moment to shine, weaving together in ways that feel surprising yet inevitable. In the end, Evelyn’s story arc completes the tale of the wider novel—a love letter to Florence and art, revealing how she became who she is.

At its heart, Still Life is about love in all its forms, the families we create, and the beauty we find in each other’s imperfections. Through the decades, from post-war London to Florence, Winman shows how life can be filled with art, laughter, loss, and acceptance. Still Life captures the pulse of Florence, blending art with life and showing how beauty, friendship, and connection endure, no matter the distance or time. I absolutely loved it. It’s one of those rare books that I know will stay with me, and I know I must read again.

Book Club Questions on Sarah Winman's Still Life

• What do you think is the greatest love story explored in Still Life? Discuss.
• What did you think about getting Evelyn’s story at the end? Was it a tag-on, or did it bring things together well?
• Ulysses is Alys’s dad but not her biological father. Why do they have such a strong connection?
• What was the biggest coincidence in the story? Discuss.
• What do you think is the main message of the book?
• How believable are the characters? Discuss with examples.
• What do you think about Ginny and her story?
• Do you think there were too many characters? Did any stand out to you, or did it feel like too much?
• Did you take on board all the references to art? What did they add to your experience of the book? Discuss.
• Forster and Virginia Woolf are mentioned, and we learn Evelyn was on the edge of their world. Was this connection important, and did you wonder how much was based on fact?
• If you could interview Sarah Winman, what would you most want to ask her?
• What role does Florence play in the story? Do you think the book would feel the same set somewhere else?
• Evelyn and Ulysses share an immediate connection when they first meet. What do you think drew them to each other? Discuss.
• Claude the parrot is quite a unique character! What did you think of Claude’s role in the story?
• The theme of chosen family is central to
Still Life. Do you think the relationships between these characters are stronger than those in traditional families?

Book Club Questions on Still Life (for if you haven't read the book)

• How important is place in your life? Is there a city or setting that feels like home to you?
• Ulysses runs a B&B in Florence. Would running a place like that appeal to you? Why or why not?
• Peg and Ulysses aren’t together, but they still share a deep bond. Do you have a friend or know anyone who shares a similar connection with their ex? Discuss with examples from real life.
• What kind of role do you think art could play in your life or relationships?
• Have you ever felt a connection with a place that changed the way you view the world?

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