A Likeness, by Sonia Overall

I've recently finished reading A Likeness, by Sonia Overall. It's a book about painting and passion at the Elizabethan court.
I don't normally read historical novels.
The reason I read this one is because it was written by a friend of mine. Sonia is married to a very good friend of mine from my art student days (hey James).

It was strange reading a book by someone I know - for the first few chapters I could hear Sonia's voice as I read. This soon stopped though because it's a really good read. Also it's written in Elizabethan dialect and Sonia doesn't talk like that...

I really enjoyed it, the story and characters were strong, and in particular the descriptions of Tudor London are most evocative.

Most enjoyably though, the book has awakened a long-dead desire to paint.

I haven't done any painting in about seven years now, but Sonia's descriptions of paint just make me want to crack open the Alizarin Crimson, whip out a palette knife and start smearing paint about.

That's if I can get the lids off of seven year old paint tubes....
Anyhow, it's an inspirational book, so go buy it.