? “There are moments in life, so monumental and still, that the memory can never be retrieved without a catch to the throat or an interruption to the beat of the heart.” A masterpiece of contemporary literature, Still Life by British author Sarah Winman is a heartfelt journey through mid 20th century Europe at a time when stillness in life was hard to find.

Set over a period of over 30 years, Still Life follows Evelyn Skinner, an art historian who seemingly has a hidden history of her own — as she attempts to restore artwork damaged in World War II. In a chance encounter, Evelyn comes across the peculiarly named Ulysses — a British soldier with an unusual sense of optimism in life. This meeting would result in one of the most unusual platonic relationships, unfolding across decades, and defining the rest of Ulysses’ life, who makes the move to Tuscany with his best friend, his stepdaughter, and a talking parrot after receiving an unexpected inheritance.

“Two men, a girl, and a parrot. Now that’s a story to tell.” Still Life is an ode to art and beauty, the kind of book to be read on a calm, quiet afternoon with nothing but a pillow behind your back and a cup of tea to your side. The historical novel is not all joy, however. Much like life, there are a fair share of tear-worthy moments within its pages.

Winman’s masterpiece is a hard one to summarize. Across the years, and across cities, readers are invited to slow down and savor vignettes of its characters’ lives. We’re taken back in time to discover the past of the enigmatic Evelyn Skinner, witness the ravages of war, and — in between all of that — appreciate the stillness of art. It’s a character-driven novel, not so much a plot-driven one.

The novel’s beauty lies within its prose. Winman writes with precision and eloquence, with beautiful prose that grounds itself, offering only a fleeting glimpse of the surreal. There’s a dash of magical realism, yet the kind that emphasizes rather than distracts. Winman, like many modern authors, eschews speech marks, and as such, introspections often overlap with dialogue. This might prove a tad too confusing at first, yet it adds to the reading experience. All in all, Still Life is what to pick up if life has proven rather hectic lately.

WHERE TO GET IT: You can place a special order for Still Life from The Bookspot, listen to the audiobook on Storytel, or get the ebook from Amazon. You might also want to keep an eye out on Diwan for a restock.

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