Ultimate Blog Tour Review: The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession by Jake Kendall

Hey everyone!
Today is my stop on the ultimate blog tour for The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession by Jake Kendall, and I am excited to be sharing my review with you all.

A massive thank you to @The_WriteReads and @NeemTreePress for allowing me to be a part of the tour.

Title: The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession
Author: Jake Kendall
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Release Date: 22nd February 2024
Page Count: 272
Genre: Art History, Fiction, Short Stories
Buy It Here: Amazon UK

Book Blurb:

Spanning three hundred years of art history, The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession tells the stories of those with an insatiable hunger for creation – those who may sacrifice friendships, careers, romance, and even their own happiness in pursuit of a vision.

Weaving art styles such as Cubism, Surrealism, and the Baroque into his prose, Jake Kendall has crafted a vivid and inventive collection. Each story is complemented by a black and white illustration, drawing out the visually evocative nature of the writing and offering readers a unique artistic delight.

My Review:

As an artist myself, I was immediately excited to read The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession. Comprising of 8 stories, this book dives into the deepest parts of an artists mind.

This book explores multiple art styes and movements within it’s 8 stories. Each story has it’s own voice, it’s own feeling, and it’s own energy. I enjoyed each story in it’s own unique way, and that’s something I loved most about this book.

An artist’s life is very rarely an easy or simple one, especially in regards to their work, and this book highlights that on many different levels. Art really can become an obsession, and at times it can feel like the only thing in the world that matters. It can effect your relationships, your mental health, and your physical health. It’s no wonder artists are often seen as eccentric, or a little crazy. A few of the stories within this book have this at the forefront.

However, art can also bring out the absolute best in people too. The beauty of art is that it can open your eyes to the smaller beauties in life, including things that surround us every day. It makes you see things in a way that you’ve never seen them before. It really can provide true happiness and enjoyment to those who appreciate it. Even in the stories that show the darker side of being an artist in this book, this beauty and happiness can be seen.

I give The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession a 4 star rating!

About The Author:

Jake Kendall was born in Oxford and studied an MSc in Creative Writing with the University of Edinburgh. He takes inspiration from the visual arts, a theme that formed his debut collection.

The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession (Neem Tree Press) refracts contemporary issues and anxieties through timeless imagery and artistic movements. Jake lives and works in Edinburgh and spends his free time visiting bookshops, exhibitions, theatre, and independent cinemas.

YOU CAN FIND JAKE HERE:
Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, GoodReads

FOLLOW THE TOUR: