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A Month in Siena

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( 3,056 ratings, 470 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar is a reflective journey that blends art, history, and personal introspection. The author immerses himself in the city of Siena, exploring its rich artistic heritage and contemplating themes of loss, memory, and identity. Through his deep engagement with art, Matar finds personal solace and a renewed understanding of life.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate the intersection of art, history, and personal reflection. It offers a thoughtful exploration of Siena's rich culture and art through the eyes of someone seeking connection and meaning. Perfect for those who love immersive travel experiences combined with introspective narrative.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A moving reflection on the intersection of life and art, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Return.

Shortly after completing his searing work of non-fiction, The Return, Hisham Matar set off for Siena, a city he had never visited before. His plan was to see the paintings of the Sienese school, to immerse himself in the work of artists he admired perhaps above all others.

This month in Siena would be an extraordinary period in the life of this writerโ€”an immersion in art, a consideration of grief and violence, an intimate encounter with the city and its inhabitants. Hisham Matar's short book is the story of how art can console and disturb in equal measure. It is a profoundly moving contemplation of the relationship between art and the human condition.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar has been praised for its evocative and deeply moving narrative, blending art history with personal reflection. The book is noted for its exquisite prose, meditative exploration of themes like love, grief, and the transformative power of art. Reviewers have lauded Matar's ability to interweave his personal reflections with insightful art analysis, creating a profound contemplation of life's big questions.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241987056

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 225g

Pages: 128

About the Author

Hisham Matar was born in New York to Libyan parents, spent his childhood in Tripoli and Cairo and has lived most of his life in London. His memoir The Return received a Pulitzer Prize in 2017. He is also the author of In the Country of Men, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Anatomy of a Disappearance and A Month in Siena. His most recent novel, My Friends, won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction 2024, was longlisted for the Booker Prize, and nominated for the National Book Award. His work has been translated into over thirty languages.

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