Foodie Lit
Julie Simmons. The Lost Canvas
Good novels are created with many layers. Complexities in characters, twists in plots, thoughtful discussions and symbolism all deepen good writing. These layers are what I found in The Lost Canvas, expertly written by Julie Simmons.
Main character Katie Bauer finds an intriguing painting that compels her to find who painted it. This quest takes her on a voyage across the country and across the ocean, finding people and exploring places that change her. The great part of her plot is that it was inspired by a real life occurrence. Spending a long weekend in San Antonio, Texas, like her character, author Julie Simmons discovers a special painting that she spends time researching. Spinning a fictional story about searching for and finding the painter of a painting, Julie writes this novel.
The author creates two experts: Katie on art and Alex on wine. These are unusual careers: two esoteric topics that allow fascinating discussions and symbolism about people and life. Both Katie and Alex see the parallels in their careers, the artistry and gut feeling they both follow.
There is an understanding in cultivating wine, that the terroir affects the taste of the wine. The terroir, coming from the French word for soil, includes the complex natural environment in which a wine is produced, including soil, topography, climate and tradition. I asked Julie about the layers in her writing and characters. Julie brilliantly compares the concept of terroir to people, how we are created in a multifaceted way from our environment, our time, our families and friends.
“All of the people in our lives are who they are because of their terroir – where they come from, all of their experiences – the good and the bad. Wine is layered, and so are we… Through the characters, I wanted to show that THESE LAYERS are the makeup of what it is that gives us our human spirit. Our terroir is a combination of where we are, the relationships of all the people we have in our lives, the way we bring each other to the table.”
Julie deals with serious issues in this novel, including abusive relationships. It is underreported in general and especially in upper socio-economic levels and especially when the abuse is verbal and psychological. “I want to show that many women, no matter their race, educational background, socio-economic background, or culture, can find themselves living with carbon copy abusers. In nearly 100% of these cases, it is like a script is followed, where women excuse behaviors away, and the abuser follows his script until all of a sudden, women find themselves, sometimes a few children later, in a full-fledged, inexcusable relationship….” Support from family and friends is usually needed for the woman to escape, especially as her ego has usually been damaged.
Julie doesn’t develop Pollyanna characters or give simplex solutions. Her writing is evocative—in her descriptions of places, characters and themes. A focus is on relationships. As in real life, Julie’s characters search for good, stable friends and partners. Even if relationships that don’t work out or are unhealthy, the characters continue searching. “The main theme in the story is the resilience of the human spirit. I wanted to show that through the characters who represent entirely human constructs – joy, grief, success, failure, desires for goals, and regrets…. We get to choose. We can decide to become victims of our circumstances or to be the heroes of our own destinies.”
There is so much great food discussed in The Lost Canvas that it was difficult to choose a recipe! But Savory Crèpes, sometimes called Crèpes Paysanne, are delicious, easy and fun to serve for casual or formal meals. This recipe combines mushrooms, fresh spinach and herbs from my garden, easy to find ingredients and yummy!
