Introduction

While men have long been credited with producing the first abstract paintings, the true creator was actually a woman – Swedish artist Hilma af Klint, who was inspired by her mystic visions. Acclaimed authors Sofia Lundberg, Alyson Richman, and M.J. Rose bring her story to life in this groundbreaking novel.

Early 1900s: The world belongs to men, and the art world in Stockholm, Sweden, is no different, until Hilma af Klint brings together a mysterious group of female painters and writers—Anna, Cornelia, Sigrid, and Mathilda—to form their own emotional and artistic support system. The members of the Friday Night Club find themselves thrust into uncharted territory when Hilma and her best friend, Anna, begin dabbling in the occult, believing that through séances they can channel unseen spirits to help them achieve their potential as artists. “The Five,” as Hilma referred to them, was a group of immensely talented, fascinating women whose lives and work were cast into obscurity...until now.

The Present: Over a century later, an associate curator at the Guggenheim Museum, Eben Elliot, brings the Hilma af Klint show to New York where he uncovers questions about the Five and how the modern day art world is funded, which puts him in a precarious position both emotionally and professionally, as he witnesses how history can be manipulated.

The Friday Night Club is an illuminating historical novel that explores destiny, passion, and the threads that connect five women as they challenge artistic and societal traditions.

Editorial Review

No Editorial Review Currently Available

Excerpt

Prologue

October 1933

Island of Munsö, Sweden

Anna lifted the last letter to the flame and watched as the delicate paper curled and disintegrated, the words evaporating into ash. She had spent the past several hours reading each of the letters, remembering every detail, every moment, that had been written. As the ebb and flow of their correspondence pulled her back in time, she felt the weight of her now old body fall away and the aches and pains of age disappear as her heart was once again filled with the memories of her youth with Hilma. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the authors:

1. At its core, The Friday Night Club is about the artist’s pursuit to search and understand the universe. Do you feel a connection with Hilma and De Fem’s quest to find deeper meaning in the world around them? Do you admire their perseverance, since they had so little support from society and the artistic world?
2. The exploration of the atom, the X-ray, and other scientific discoveries contributed much to Hilma’s artistic vision. Can you think of examples of how art and science inspire each other today?
3. To get funding for the exhibition, Eben navigates a very politicized art world. How museums must navigate getting such financial support from corporate sponsors has been in the news recently. Do you feel ethical compromises justify getting funding to promote the arts?
4. Hilma and De Fem created a very modern and pro-feminist agenda that was ahead of its time. What do you think inspired them to be independent and forward-thinking when all around them women were being relegated to the roles of mothers and wives?
5. As a self-described art detective, have you ever thought of museum curators as art detectives? What aspect of Eben’s job did you find the most surprising or interesting?
6. Hilma and Anna had a lifelong friendship and possibly a love affair. Do you feel that their relationship influenced their art and the creation of the Paintings for the Temple?
7. Spiritualism and paranormal activity are often met with cynicism and doubt. How do you feel it was portrayed in the book? Do you feel these women were connected to a higher power?
8. Would it change your opinion of a piece of art if the attributed artist didn’t work alone? Would it change your opinion of the artist?

Weblinks

»	Publisher's book info
»	Author Sofia Lundberg's website
»	Author Alyson Richman's website
»	Author M.J. Rose's website
»	Kirkus Review of the book
»	Library Journal's review of the book
»	BookTrib review of the book

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

Member Reviews

There are no user reviews at this time.
Rate this book