The Center of the World

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Alternating between nineteenth-century England and present-day New York, this narrative follows renowned British painter J. M. W. Turner and his circle of patrons and lovers, alongside Henry Leiden, a middle-aged man grappling with a troubled marriage and a dead-end job. Henry's life changes dramatically upon discovering Turner's mesmerizing painting, The Center of the World, depicting Helen of Troy, which was believed lost for nearly two centuries. This artwork, with its devastating erotic power, has been hidden and even thought destroyed until Henry finds it in a secret compartment at his summer home in the Adirondacks. Although aware of its immense value, he is captivated by the painting's revelation of a transcendent world filled with light, joy, and possibility. Meanwhile, Turner wrestles with creating his greatest work, meeting his patron, Lord Egremont, who provides a space for Turner to discuss his art and beliefs. We also encounter Elizabeth Spencer, Egremont's mistress and Turner's muse, the model for Helen. In the present, Henry is pursued by a relentless art dealer eager to acquire the painting at any cost. This richly textured novel delves into the intersection of art and eroticism, exploring themes of beauty, love, and desire.