Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen

"It's a funny thing, hope. It's not like love, or fear, or hate. It's a feeling you don't really know you had until it's gone."
              -Rebecca, from the novel

I prejudged this book by its cover----the title aroused my curiosity. Besides, it was on sale!

Main character Rebecca Winter is a photographer with a fading reputation and bank account who sets out to reinvent herself. She seemed very believable as a middle-aged woman----a member of the "sandwich generation"---with a son just beginning a career and aging parents. I could identify with her efforts to find purpose in her life.

Rebecca had been an award-winning artist especially known by a series of photographs called the Kitchen Counter Series, one of which was Still Life with Bread Crumbs, giving the novel its title. In her new life, she makes some mysterious discoveries which become a fresh series of photographs. Could this lead to a second chance at success?

I found the story confusing at times when the author would introduce a new character and suddenly begin narrating background about him or her. Quindlen's use of foreshadowing was frequent and interesting, eg. "Rebecca Winter knew that well, was about to learn it even better." Chapter titles are clever and help to keep the reader engaged, as well.

I am rating Still Life with Bread Crumbs a 3---good, but not great.