53 pages • 1 hour read
Sarah WinmanStill Life
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Still Life by Sarah Winman, two older British women, Evelyn and Margaret, navigate post-World War II Italy, while British soldier Ulysses Temper returns to London to find his wife's life changed. Ulysses inherits property in Florence, moves there with friends and his stepdaughter, and becomes a parental figure. The novel spans from the 1940s to the 1970s and explores the lives of LGBTQ+ characters during a time of legal and cultural prohibitions. Sexual assault and emotional abuse are depicted.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Sarah Winman's Still Life is praised for its vivid characters and rich historical context, blending art, love, and friendship in post-war Italy. The lyrical prose and emotional depth resonate with readers. However, some critics note a meandering plot and uneven pacing. Overall, it is a charming and poignant narrative celebrating human connections.
Who Should Read Still Life?
Readers who enjoy rich, character-driven narratives set against historical backdrops would love Still Life by Sarah Winman. Fans of E.M. Forster's A Room with a View and Elizabeth Gilbert's The Signature of All Things will find a similar blend of romance, art, and exploration of identity in Winman's lush storytelling.