“Lusciously written and deeply imaginative, Kummer’s debut is an edgy, elegant reimagining of a period in Picasso’s life that forever changed the art world. It takes readers from the heat of Spain to the underbelly of Paris, as we follow the artist through friendship, dizzying infatuation, sex, and tragedy as he tries to claw his way to success. A book that feels as passionate and bold as Picasso himself.”
— Karin Tanabe, author of The Gilded Years

“Luke Jerod Kummer’s tenderly crafted portrait of Picasso as a young artist, just starting out in a foreign country and grieving a great loss, cuts through the stereotypical bravado so often associated with the artist to add richly shaded layers of emotion, insight, and smartly noticed detail.”
— Rachel Corbett, author of You Must Change Your Life: The Story of Rainer Maria Rilke and Auguste Rodin

“Kummer’s descriptions of Paris at the turn of the century and the emotional turmoil within fame-destined Pablo create a quixotic tone that fans of lush biographical fiction will find especially alluring.”
— Booklist

“The Blue Period takes the reader from the alleys and soot-covered buildings of Barcelona to the four-story beige-brick #49 on Rue Gabrielle and the studio that housed Picasso, Casagemas, Gargallo and other women, adding architectural and atmospheric detail along the way.”
— Historical Novel Society

“Luke Jerod Kummer’s The Blue Period is a vivid, well-researched re-creation of the world from which a great artist emerged and a richly imagined meditation on the relationships and tragedies that shaped both his life and his art.”
— John Biguenet, author of Oyster and The Torturer’s Apprentice

“It follows Pablo Picasso’s early adult years and the tragic romance that nearly destroyed him—and also gave him his first great artistic inspiration. Definitely a good addition to any reading list for a lovely fall afternoon.”
— Jennifer Dasal, host of the ArtCurious Podcast

“Mesmerized by this book from page one…. I was right there with Picasso in Spain and then in Paris…. The journey is rocky and sad, but so worth taking.”
— Ann Howard Creel, author of The Whiskey Sea and The River Widow

“The Blue Period is about Pablo Picasso’s artwork using endless cerulean and cobalt blue brush strokes to reflect the sadness and despair experienced during his early life. Written in a thoughtful and engaging style, it gives insight to Picasso’s struggles to make a name for himself.”
— Prime Women

“Like the subject of this eloquent and incisive novel, Kummer proves himself a true artist with a top-rate imagination and a special gift for dialogue and description. An historian with artistic sensibilities, he paints a complete and colorful picture of Picasso during this period, ensuring a deeper understanding of him for future generations. This important debut novel shows that Kummer may have immortality in him as well.”
— Eddie Chuculate, author of Cheyenne Madonna