Queen of the Owls

This debut novel by Barbara Linn Probst explores a turning point in a woman's life. Elizabeth is a mother, a wife, and an academic who is writing a thesis on Georgia O'Keeffe while teaching undergraduates at a local university. But something is missing. She's always relied on her intellect to succeed, the “bookworm” to her sister Andrea's “pixie”. But she knows that's not all she is. Inspired by O'Keeffe's life, particularly the time she spent with Alfred Stieglitz as his model, muse, and (many believe) willing collaborator, Elizabeth realizes she's been denying her own sexuality. She does not feel truly seen by anyone in her life. A chance meeting with Richard, a charismatic photographer, leads her to take a leap of faith and bare not only her body but her deepest emotions in a series of shots which, without her permission, go public. The aftermath threatens not only her job and her professional reputation but drives a rift between her and her husband Ben. A deftly-executed examination of one woman's struggle to break free of her conventional life and explore the totality of herself, Queen of the Owls is a must-read for book clubs and fans of women's fiction everywhere. Through graceful language and a well-executed plot line, this book explores what it means to reveal not just parts of yourself but to embrace the glory of being wholly and truly seen as a complex, nuanced, and layered human being. I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.