Stolen Beauty

A Novel

By: Laurie Lico Albanese, Gibson Frazier

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman, Madeleine Maby

“A powerful and important tale of love and war, art and family…I was transported.” —Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author

“Albanese artfully weaves Adele’s story with Maria’s harrowing life under the Nazis, but it’s hard to read Stolen Beauty without seeing ugly echoes in today’s headlines. Seven decades after World War II, have we learned nothing?” —USA TODAY

From the dawn of the twentieth century to the devastation of World War II, this exhilarating novel of love, war, art, and family gives voice to two extraordinary women and brings to life the true story behind the creation and near destruction of Gustav Klimt’s most remarkable paintings.

In the dazzling glitter of 1903 Vienna, Adele Bloch-Bauer—young, beautiful, brilliant, and Jewish—meets painter Gustav Klimt. Wealthy in everything but freedom, Adele embraces Klimt’s renegade genius as the two awaken to the erotic possibilities on the canvas and beyond. Though they enjoy a life where sex and art are just beginning to break through the façade of conventional society, the city is also troubled by a disturbing increase in anti-Semitism as political hatred simmers in the shadows of Adele’s coffeehouse afternoons and cultural salons.

Nearly forty years later, Adele’s niece Maria Altmann is a newlywed when the Nazis invade Austria—and overnight, her beloved Vienna becomes a war zone. When her husband is arrested and her family is forced out of their stately home, Maria must summon the courage and resilience that is her aunt’s legacy if she is to survive and keep her loved ones—and their history—alive.

Will Maria and her family escape the grip of Nazi rule? And what will become of the paintings for which her aunt sacrificed nearly everything?

Impeccably researched and a “must-read for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Paula McLain’s Circling the Sun” (Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Stolen Beauty juxtaposes passion and discovery against hatred and despair, and shines a light on our ability to love, to destroy, and above all, to endure.

Inspired by same documentary as movie woman in gold.

Historical fiction that fleshes out historical facts. Highly recommend both this audio book and movie which USA Today suggests inspired the book.

Beautiful. I got so much more than I expected.

for me, as an artist, this was one of the most moving and touching stories I've ever read. I got this book to learn more about Gustav Klimt, but I got so much more. The story of Klimt's passionate relationship with Adela Bloch-Bauer unfolded to reveal a gem bigger than the both of them. It's rare that a story moves me to tears, but this one had me weeping. beautiful! A triumph of the human spirit, and of love, and Art.

Loved it

I found 'Stolen Beauty' to be a well-researched and thought-provoking book. The author skillfully presents two different points of view, which adds depth and complexity to the story. While it was difficult to read about the anti-Semitic sentiment and injustices that took place in pre-war Vienna, it is important to continue learning about the Holocaust and its atrocities. Although it is not solely focused on the Holocaust, the book sheds light on the events leading up to it and provides insight into the political and social climate of the time. Overall, I highly recommend 'Stolen Beauty' to anyone interested in history and the human experience.

Arts Great History

This book is another great example of the tragic history of the second world war and the atrocities that Nazi Germany imposed on Austria and the neighboring countries. Fortunately, in this instance, the rightful owners of the Gustav Klempt painting weren't able to prevail.

amazing story

I loved this book. I went to the Belvedere a few years ago, soon after Adele was gone. I saw the movie (Helen Mirren!) and so I loved this audible story. History of these times, well written.