Sunlit Books: The Muralist by B.A. Shapiro: A Book Review

Perhaps tens of thousands of books have been written about it, thousands of movies have been made about it, and hundreds of museums have been built to showcase its brutality. War destroys lives in many forms. The magnitude of its devastation ranges from large-scale catastrophe to the most basic of human beings—identity. War can annihilate a nation and even obliterate one's personhood.

B.A. Shapiro, author of the New York Times bestseller The Art Forger, painted how war affects people in every area of their lives in the book The Muralist. The spotlight is on an artist who fought for her family, for the country, and for herself. But her passion against war opened the gates of hell and threw her into oblivion.

Story Overview
Themes
Discussion Questions
Notable Quotes
Summary
Further Information
Book Information

Story Overview

The story is divided into two timelines: the past, on the eve of the war from 1939-1940, and the present, 2015-2016, with New York as the major setting in both periods.

In the first timeline, Alizee Benoit is the main character. She is a Jewish-American painter working for the Work Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project. While trying to survive in the United States, Alizee actively sought ways to bring her family from Nazi-occupied Europe to America. However, securing visas was extremely difficult due to strict immigration policies. Her frustration grew until she suddenly disappeared.

In the present timeline, Alizee’s great-grandniece, Danielle Abrams, becomes fascinated by a mysterious painting. She investigates its connection to her missing relative and searches for other artworks tied to it. Could these paintings finally reveal what happened to Alizee Benoit?

Themes

The novel explores love, loyalty, commitment, commercialism, infidelity, betrayal, and identity.

The story presents different forms of love—love for oneself, for family, for friends, and for art. Alizee’s devotion to her family is evident through her letters during the early days of Nazi occupation. Despite fear and uncertainty, these letters are filled with hope, reflecting love as faith and resilience.

In the second timeline, Danielle demonstrates the importance of honoring family history. Even though Alizee lived decades earlier, Danielle is determined to restore her great-aunt’s identity as an artist. Her persistence ultimately brings closure and wholeness to her own life.

Commercialism also plays a significant role. One character contrasts artistic passion with profit-driven creativity, leading to personal and moral conflict. This tension highlights how commercial interests can distort both art and relationships.

Identity is another powerful theme. Alizee’s political involvement and artistic expression place her in danger. As a result, both she and her work vanish, leaving her identity erased for decades—an example of how war can strip individuals of their very existence.

Discussion Questions

What is the significance of the paintings that Danielle discovers?
How did Alizee’s fight for her family affect her life in New York?
How can art be used to express resistance to social injustice?
In what ways does war obliterate personal identity?
What is the overall message of The Muralist?

Notable Quotes

“We were working in a way that was meaningful to us, not trying to start something that could be named.”

“Don’t sell the bear’s fur until you’ve shot the bear.”

“Never had she been more pleased with her large barren flat... all she needed was to paint.”

“But Alizée taught me that just because there aren’t any objects in a painting, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a subject.”

“I’m painting again, an impostor no longer.”

Summary

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

The Muralist is a compelling novel that explores love, loss, art, and identity during one of the darkest periods in history. Through Abstract Expressionism, the novel shows how art can become a form of resistance against war and oppression.

Alizee’s passion, sacrifice, and disappearance reveal how power and politics can erase individuals who dare to challenge injustice. In the present day, Danielle’s search restores Alizee’s place in art history and honors the suffering of Jewish families during World War II.

Ultimately, the novel suggests that while war destroys identities, time—and truth—can help reclaim them.

If you love art, history, and mystery, this book is highly recommended.