Sharon Bially

Veronica is a young woman who was told she had talent as an artist but never really sat down to pursue her art. It was always "when I have time" or "when I have a studio." She is bored in her job and thinks that taking a painting vacation to France will solve her problems. Still uninspired she falls for a French doctor and feels he will solve all her problems. He gives her a studio but she finds herself pregnant with twins. They now need a bigger house but he is not making enough money for what she wants so her parents step in and solve all her problems.

Veronica is a spoiled, entitled brat. Taking a long, long time to understand that the world does not revolve around her and her needs and that money does not come just because she needs it.

Fortunately Ms. Bially has a wonderful way with words because I absolutely hated Veronica. As a character I wanted to shake her and make her realize that life ain't so easy and she really needed to discover what hard work was. Then I realized that it was a talented pen that kept me reading and caused me to be so passionate about a fictional woman.

I can't tell you this is an easy read or even an enjoyable read but it was a worthwhile read. I loved the descriptions of Aix in France and the peaks into the Jewish traditions was very interesting. As for Veronica - she needs a kick in the pants.… (altro)

This is the kind of book I want to recommend to all of my friends and family. Sharon Bially has captured the angst of the artist, the struggles of motherhood, the trap of luxury and a coming to grips with growing into our best selves. What a book, and what an exceptional writer.

I had a professor in art school who came right out of the box the first day of painting class saying, "You can never be a fine artist and be married with children." Let me tell you, them was fightin' words in the '60's and early '70's to a bunch of women/feminist fine arts students! Several of us were out to prove that man wrong.

But, when my children were babies, I had to put away my beautiful brushes, oils and easels, though my sweet husband bought me a huge, gorgeous oak easel to encourage me there would "be a time" for me.

In "Veronica's Nap" Sharon Bially takes up this question of "when are you going to paint?" Through her characters, Vero and Didier, we witness this struggle for motherhood, art and person hood. Didier plays the prod with his constant badgering of Veronica to paint, to produce "just one painting" to sell. It's no surprise that she's backed into the proverbial corner with a shocked and sleeping muse, which she's happy to join in her escapes to la-la-land. It's also no wonder that she's tripped up by bouts of depression.

Sharon Bially is an author we need to watch. Her ability to draw characters so likable and real is a literary achievement...particularly since she has her own children! And, her story is one that will resonate with women and men for many different reasons. There is a humorous twist to this book, but it may actually be an irony when taken in context, because in the whole it's not funny when we struggle to push against pressures to achieve and grow. Bially recognizes and conveys these things clearly; she writes her story in such a way that we're drawn chapter after chapter to the end.

This book is grandly universal. I'm so grateful for that. I learned so much about Moroccan, Shephardic family customs I wouldn't otherwise have had exposure to. I enjoy reading about cultures that differ from mine. "Veronica's Nap" gives us that flavor as well as another look at Provence and French culture.

This is a rich and beautifully tempered novel. In it you'll find ironic humor, tellings of motherhood, artistic sensibilities, marriage and family dynamics. A book you'll breeze through and want to share.

5 truly swirling stars

Deborah/TheBookishDame… (altro)