Okay, so I just finished 'Still Life' and WOW. This isn't just a book - it's an experience. Sarah Winman somehow made me fall in love with a whole group of fictional characters (and a parrot named Claude!) like they were my own friends.

The way she writes about Florence... I've never been but now I feel like I have? The descriptions of art and daily Italian life are so vivid I could practically smell the espresso and see the golden light on those Renaissance buildings.

At first I was confused by the timeline jumps (not gonna lie), but stick with it! Once the story settles into post-war Florence, it becomes this beautiful tapestry of found family. It's not your typical war novel at all - more about how people create beauty and connection even after devastation.

Fair warning: this is a SLOW BURN. Not an action-packed thriller. But if you let yourself sink into it, you'll find these quiet moments that absolutely wreck you in the best way. That scene with Evelyn and the painting? TEARS.

Also - major props for writing about love in all its forms beyond just romance. The friendships here are everything.

Would recommend for: Art lovers, Italy dreamers, fans of character-driven stories that stay with you long after reading. Not for people who need fast plots or traditional structure.

PS - Now desperately Googling flights to Florence...