Book Review: Bohemia by Veronika Carnaby

Published September 13th, 2012
Self-Published
190 pages (Paperback)

In her debut novel, Veronika Carnaby picks up where the Beat Generation left off. Set in 1960, Bohemia chronicles a group of twenty-somethings who defy the "ideals" of a mid-twentieth century society to seek creative fulfillment. In the process, they spotlight the creative path that artists of all mediums tread, all the while depicting the challenges faced by youth in the decade that changed the world. (From Goodreads)

Thank you to Veronika Carnaby for sending me a copy of Bohemia in exchange for an honest review.

The message presented in Bohemia is what I loved about the story.  Bohemia revolves around Valerie, a writer and creative spirit, and the people that flow in and out of her life.  The point of the book is to live.  The characters seem incapable of settling down, constantly moving and changing while pursuing their artistic passions.  It seems like a dream that most of us would love, that being to simply travel and live life.

Many could likely related to Val, a struggling writer, but I felt a connection to Emm, a dancer.  The characters all possess a very laid-back feel, but their are a lot of them.  Sometimes I had a difficult time keeping track of names.

The issue I had with this book was the expression of time.  I was having a hard time keeping track of how time was progressing throughout the book, but particularly at the beginning.  It would seem as if events were progressing over a couple of weeks, but then we would be on "the next day".  

I recommend Bohemia to any artistic spirits out there, or anyone simply looking for a book different from anything else they've read lately.  Bohemia does not follow the typical plot progression, which actually suits the story quite well.  Overall, I quite enjoyed Bohemia.

Much love, Samantha