The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik

 Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) at the beginning of the 20th century is the best painter in San Francisco. Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) in 1918 is a new comer to the Bohemian San Francisco, hoping to make a path for herself as a portrait photographer. Today, she is most recognized for influencing journalistic photography.

1918. Dorrie, nearly twenty-three, arrives in San Francisco with a camera and a head full of ideas. As she tries to figure her way around the city, she meets Caroline Lee. Caroline introduces Dorrie to Monkey Block. A district full of life and bohemians. Dorrie’s first job in the city is a step-down from what she was doing in New York. But it is a step-up when she sees an opportunity she didn’t see in New York. In New York, she “couldn’t make it any further than somebody’s assistant.” In San Francisco might be different. There are successful women photographers here. Flourishing, because there were no established photographers in the city due to the earthquake of 1906 that not only devastated the city, but also made many artists leave the city. Thus, making a way for a new generation of bohemians, which allowed women to establish themselves.

I very much enjoyed the atmosphere of the artistic community. The description of the place where Caroline lives truly brings the meaning of a bohemian community. It’s like a village or a settlement. A building full of rooms, each containing a different person with a different interest. Some rooms were crowded with canvases or a jumble of books or a half-finished sculpture or a dressmaker’s dummy or a grand piano.

The historical background is textured with many layers. We get a glimpse of the effects of the 1906 earthquake, the Spanish flue of 1918 reaching the West Coast, and earlier devastating the East Coast. The dimensions of the photography are beautifully explored. What it means to catch the right light, just by moving the camera by 2 inches, the right angle and the right composition. The stiffness of proper attire and straight standing or sitting posture where making space for something more unique. And of course, the bohemian community is phenomenal and the cast of artists is very rich making it a very vibrant story. And a sad part of racism, including The Palmer Raids of 1919-1920. Caroline of Chinese decent knows what it means to be Oriental in early 20th century San Francisco. Not allowed to live outside Chinatown, experiencing discrimination at work, very limited to what she can do and where she can work. And how people view her.

The character development is exquisite as well. Dorrie is left with a limp leg after a polio. Her friend helps her to overcome her insecurities. And the love of photography is her gift which she grabs and explores. You can feel her passion. With not an easy childhood, she comes triumphant with making her own path. Through character development, we also see friendship among women and support of each other, to propel each other to success.

The prose is grasping from the first pages. You get attached to the characters as quickly and care for them deeply. The plot carries the story forward constantly. Thus, in summary making it a fascinating read.

Release date: 6 April 2021

Source: Ballantine Books