The Lady and the Unicorn

In my opinion not as good as Girl With a Pearl Earring. Just as much historical detail and I liked the view into the art of tapestry weaving but all the characters have this overstated willfulness to them - while I enjoyed the more subtle tension in Girl With a Pearl Earring. Tracy Chevalier packs much more of the historical background into the plot in less pages than most authors of the genre do, and so the storyline is compromised as it jumps from character to character.

Chevalier takes us into the artisan world of painters and weavers to describe a set of tapestries commissioned by the Le Viste family. The painter, Nicholas, convinces Le Viste to switch from battle tapestries to those following the story of the lady and the unicorn, which is a sensual story. The tapestries exist in real life but Chevalier makes up a story to envision how they were created.
Meanwhile, Nicholas tries to seduce every woman he meets, including Le Viste's daughter. He considers himself quite the charmer and his ways don't change when he is sent to Belgium to help the weavers.

The story is told from different characters' viewpoints - everyone from Nicholas, to Le Viste's daughter, to members of the weaver's family. Even with the switches in narration, the story is smooth and makes sense. It's easy to connect with the characters and wonder what will happen to them.

I was intrigued enough after finishing the book to go look up what the tapestries actually look like. If you do the same, make sure you find the picture where they are all hung up in the same room! It's quite something!

I loved this book, the author uses seven different narrative voices , all consistent and clear which makes a far more intense and emotional reading. The mysterious Unicorn tapestry certainly makes a rich and elaborate story.

This story is beautiful. I first learned of Tracy Chevalier with 'Girl With A Pearl Earring", and fell in love. The book does not disappoint an avid fan. Her intense research into the eras transports the reader into that time as if we are living it, and her story lines carries us through the novel so effortlessly that you find yourself finished the novel before realizing you've gotten past the beginning introduction to the characters. Simply beautiful.

Once again, Tracy Chevalier transports us to the world within the art of the great masters. With a unique ability to captivate readers, the author weaves a reality that you don't want to end.
Pick up this novel, read it and love it - you will be a fan.

Just like the tapestry featured in this novel, Chevalier weaves a wonderful story about its artist, weaver and commissioner. Told from multiple points of view, the different colours of the narrative come together to bring to life the characters and time period.
Like Girl with a Pearl Earring, a work of art as theme and its imagined creators make for a fascinating read.

The Lady and the Unicorn was an interesting read. I picked it up expecting something mildly interesting and was gifted with the unexpected. The characters were richly developed as you really got to know them; the plot line was basic but certainly not boring by any means. It took you back to the past and through this process. I was really appreciative of just how realistic their world was. They were crude and funny but also deep and touching, they were real. Overall this book is a small gem and definatly worth reading.

This book transports you back to a different time and place. I wasn't sure I would enjoy it but found once I started reading I couldn't put it down. It is very interesting how everything comes together in the end.

I fell in love with Tracy Chevalier's books after Girl With A Pearl Earring, and I was so thrilled that this book was just as great. It takes you away, fills your head with beautiful images and a captivating story. I can't wait to read more of her novels, and to see what piece of art she will entwine her stories into next!

I loved this book. I liked it better than Girl with a Pearl Earring. I love reading stories from more than one characters' perspective. Although I realize the story is fiction, it is a very plausible story.

This is one of the best books I've read this year. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I love the time period. I highly recommend this book. Tracey Chevalier's other book called The Girl With the Pearl Earring was also very good. Sandra Gullard's books about Napoleon Bonaparte's wife Josephine are a great read, as well.

I thought this was a truly great book. The story is beautifully written and well researched. It was easy to read and continually interesting. If you like the historical fiction genre, you cannot go wrong with this one.

I love Tracy Chavalier's writing! it flows and it doesn't make history so boring unlike a certain author who can really go on about religion.. usually all that authentic detail of making tapestries would've made me strain to concentrate but i wasn't bored when the characters talked about that. Nicolas and Claude are both arrogant and defiant and aggravating in that sense but respectable in another. I like the minor characters. The tent says my one desire, i thought Chevalier could've made a better reason other than the, wife wanting to go to a convent = one desire. And i love how Chevalier makes up stuff to explain the gaps in the tapestries.