Thomas Bauer’s Six Canvases can only be described as enchanting. It follows the life of Foster Benjamin, aka Foss, after he encounters a painter called Tyler Dobbs in the small fishing village of Williamsport. Convinced of Tyler’s genius, Foss offers to sell his art pieces in his New York gallery. However, Tyler dies shortly after, sending Foss into investigator mode. While trying to understand who Tyler was and the scope of his work, Foss makes a lot of shocking discoveries and interacts with a variety of different people. He even embarks on an unexpected love affair. Ultimately, this alters the way Foss thinks and even behaves.

If there is one thing that the author of this book does well, it’s that he keeps readers on their toes. From the beginning of the book to its end, you can’t predict what will happen next – this makes it very entertaining. Not only are its characters complex and fully developed, but the life situations that surround them are realistic. In many ways, the narrative gives readers a front-row seat to their grief, love, remorse, anger, faith, and even confusion.

The language used in this complex book is lovely – it is descriptive and artistic yet light and easy to read. Truth be told, this book reads like an intimate poem. It handles heavy themes like rape, murder, and revenge in an utterly humane way. Readers get to see the characters as who they are without feeling that the author judges them in any way. Even parts of the book make the reader dive into the psychology of the oppressed, who finally lash out at their oppressors. The author helps readers understand the importance of letting go of anguish and what happens if it consumes us.

Six Canvases is a beautifully written book about the human condition that captures how we all grapple with tragedy, loss, career slumps, and relationships. This captivating novel is filled with adventure, mystery, and drama.

Pages: 181 | ASIN : B09N5YWCT5