My Faraway One: Selected Letters of Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz: Volume One, 1915-1933

In MY FARAWAY ONE, Sarah Greenough provides an up-close-and-personal look at one of the most important artistic partnerships ever. By turns supportive, turbulent, cutting, caring, but always mutually-creative, Stieglitz and O'Keeffe shared 25,000 pages of correspondence from 1915 through 1946, when Stieglitz died. They would frequently write several letters per day to each other, some up to 20-30 pages long (they both had flowing handwriting and used lots of space!). These letters were sealed, by request of O'Keeffe (with a few exceptions) until 20 years after her death. She personally asked Ms. Greenough to edit and compile them and the result is over 800 pages (Volume 1, with one more to come), which illuminates their incredible partnership. O'Keeffe first visited Stieglitz's avant-garde 291 gallery as an art student in NYC. He was already a famous photographer and art impresario. She was intimidated by his fame and his strong personality but attracted by them as well, knowing that his opinions were of utmost importance. A friend showed Stieglitz some of her drawings and he was so enthralled that it began a relationship that would last until he died, making her into one of the most famous American artists along the way. He was also attracted to her independent personality and disarming candor, rare in a young woman of that time. She was 23 years younger than Stieglitz and her attention and obvious charms led their letters to become increasingly intimate. She, at his insistence moved to NY, he left his wife and daughter to move in with her. They eventually married, after living together for six years out of wedlock while he was still married to his first wife. Through all their correspondence their artistic bond is clear and even paramount to their actual relationship. It is amazing to read in their own words, how they are inevitably drawn together, framed against the times through two world wars and changing artistic tastes. This is essential reading for anyone with an interest in American art history, or for anyone who has ever been in love. Looking forward to Volume 2.

Such an amazing book to read. Such beautifully put together selection of letters really tells the story well and makes you feel what it would have been like to know them or be one of them. I will treasure this.

I was so moved by the story of this book, I ordered it straight away. When it arrived (faster than expected!) I was amazed at its size and heft. This book is as big as my unabridged dictionary, and just as chock full of undiscovered information. This carefully curated collection tends to the story of a great love captured in letters and photographs with as much tenderness as is poured into the letters themselves. I've only just begun reading it, but I am not daunted by its length and weight. Rather, I'm looking forward to spending time lingering on this volume, paging back and forth between photos and transcripts and appreciating what a unique relationship O'Keefe and Stieglitz shared.

Having read several biographies about Georgia O'keeffe this book outshone every other one. Here, through the letters, one gets the real sense of who these two people, O'keeffe and Steiglitz. I came to know Georgia the young girl, the immature one who on the one hand did silly things, on the other hand is aware of and describes the beauty around her in such detail, that I felt I was right there with her. I came to know Steiglitz the lover, the romantic, the more mature person, learned of his environment and of what mattered to him. As the corrospondance continued I was able to slowly witness the maturing Georgia who became a woman, still fragile but knowing herself and her needs. No Biography can compare to the riches of these letters. The author chose well, knew how to weave the important letters that brought to the reader a well formed tapestry of the lives of these two artists. I am waiting for the second volume.

I am very unhappy. Have just unwrapped the book and the front cover is ripped. I need to give it as a gift today and so don't have time to return. Very disappointing