How does art affect us? This is the main theme that links the three short stories in this tiny wonder by A.S. Byatt. In particular, three paintings by Matisse figure prominently as the tie to the collection's namesake, The Matisse Stories.
Medusa's Ankles explores the inner turmoil of a woman's mid-life crisis, as played out over successive visits to her beautician. Art Work is a wildly amusing look at the contrast between the high-brow but uninspired art of the academics and the playfull accessibility of the truly creative but "uneducated" artistic mind.
The Chinese Lobster is the most controversial of the three as Byatt tackles the important question asked of modern artists -- "Yes, it's shocking, but is it art?" With the current raves and recoilings over the "Sensation" exhibit in New York, this is a very timely and relevant question to ask. And Byatt willfully makes clear both sides of the issue, leaving the final decision up to the reader.
Although Byatt is best-known for her Booker Prize-winning Possession: A Romance, readers should not fail to examine this little gem of a collection of three very provoking stories.
