By Katie Ganshert
Ivy Clark is a professional model, turning heads everywhere
she goes since at least the age of fourteen. The people in her life have used
her for their own gain, pleasure, or in some cases, to witness their demise.
She’s never known love, real love, and wouldn’t recognize it if it invited her
into its home, served her sweet tea, and placed her favorite flowers in a vase.
The fashion industry is fickle, and when her career starts
to slip, Ivy receives an unusual opportunity to salvage it. But she’ll need the
expertise of a photographer who doesn’t take pictures anymore. And it will
involve returning to the small town where she was forced to spend summers with
a father who never gave her the time of day.
Davis Knight sees Ivy like no one else does. He sees the
cracks, the pain, the hollowed hurting eyes behind her perfect visage. He
punishes himself for the past and refuses to look hopefully into his own
future, allthewhile keeping Ivy at arm’s length.
This story touches on some beautiful themes: unconditional
love, true beauty, and learning how to see people through different eyes. The
characters are well-drawn, and they linger in the best possible way. Though
published three years ago, the book feels very fresh. I think every reader will
see shadows of themselves as they read it.
When you see models on magazine covers, do you ever wonder
what their life is like outside the spotlight? Do you wonder if anyone loves
them for who they are instead of what they look like? Leave us a comment to be entered into this week's drawing!
I have wondered what models real lives are like. You hear the sad stories about someone going down the wrong path as a model, actress/actor, star sport figure, etc. that it causes me to wonder if they are truly happy or if they just want the limelight.
ReplyDeleteAs a teenager, the big dream for everybody was to become a model. If you were a model, that meant you were indisputably beautiful, and everyone would love you. Later in life, I met a couple models. It's been interesting to see what their lives were like, despite what their faces showed in the magazines . . .
ReplyDeleteI think it would be hard to be a model since their purpose is all based on how they look. They look like they never can really enjoy food. If their value is based on their looks, will they have any value when those looks fade with age? Now, I know everyone is valuable in God's eyes and has value just for who they are; I'm talking about value as a commodity for their employers. I imagine it's not as glamorous as it's portrayed.
ReplyDeleteI also think that modeling would be extremely hard. Wondering about a future as you age or your looks change. Wondering how much people care for you as a person. Staying the size that your agency wants you to be.
ReplyDeleteConnie
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