The June Paintings (Blaze Collection)

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars | 626 ratings

Price: 0.99

Last update: 09-30-2024


About this item

On a remote island, an unfulfilled young female painter finds a singular kind of inspiration in this cunning short story about identity and empowerment by New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shipstead.

June Tremblay is struggling to find herself as a painter when she accepts a summer job as assistant to renowned artist Hiram Lammergeier on his private island off the Maine coast. The reclusive legend has one peculiar rule: under no circumstances is June to create any art of her own. Caught between her need to paint and her desire for Lammergeier, June rebels, and her transgression sets off a chain of retaliation that will shape the rest of her life.

Maggie Shipstead’s The June Paintings is part of Blaze, a collection of short stories about incendiary women across the decades who dare to defy convention. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.


Top reviews from the United States

Barb Waloven
5.0 out of 5 stars Always a Plan?
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
Fascinating story that had me hooked right from the start. The story is set in the 60’s and involves artist(s) with perhaps some of the flower power-ish free love and peace and joy ambiance. I like how the story was told and liked even better how it ended.
Deborah
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid.
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2024
Solid 4 star rating about a young artist who accepts an unusual job as an assistant/cook/ friend to a reclusive artist. I enjoyed reading this. The story was one like no other I have read. I could have read on and on. The ending was perfect.
E. Ferreira
3.0 out of 5 stars A bit slow
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
It was a slow start and I almost put it down, but the story gradually got better and better and I liked the ending.
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Liked it
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
June's life was immortalized by her association with a reclusive painter. Living on a secluded island, just those two, he claimed her vision as his own. A good novella.
Shari Ring Wolf
4.0 out of 5 stars Good. Very good
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
I listened to the entire story as I drove to an appt and back.
It held my interest, no daydreaming. It's narrated by an old woman, who was a muse for àn artist "back in the day." Very interesting twist. Recommended.#
Melanie Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars profoundly captures human nature
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
You take from me and I take from you. Relationship reciprocity. This is a fresh story of this age old truth, told with an economy of words and great depth of understanding. Excellent!
Kendra Payne
3.0 out of 5 stars Mad
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
An exploration of fine art and its muse. Based in 1963, I get it. But over 60 years later, I’m mad. This short story has such sweeping imagery. An island. Painting. Lovers. But what I didn’t like was the utter disrespect. I get that it was kind of the point. But I just ended up mad at the characters.
Kay
4.0 out of 5 stars Not the biggest fan
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024
Don't get me wrong, it is an intriguing enough story that I wanted to know what would happen next, but I was so disappointed by the series of events. Granted, I understand that given the time June's behavior is reflective of the period . . . Still didn't care for it.

3.5 stars

Best Sellers in

 
 

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: A Story (A Vintage Short)

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 88
0.99
 
 

The Sleep Tight Motel (Dark Corners collection)

4 4 out of 5 stars 2741
1.99
 
 

Tune in Tomorrow (Blaze Collection)

3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 340
0.99
 
 

Barriers to Entry (Blaze Collection)

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 520
0.99
 
 

The Forgotten Chapter (Blaze Collection)

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 711
0.99
 
 

Fallen Grace (Blaze Collection)

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 847
0.99
 
 

Summer Frost (Forward collection)

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 6310
1.99
 
 

Everything My Mother Taught Me (Inheritance collection)

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 12706
1.99