The Nude

The Nude by C. Michelle Lindley

The Nude by C. Michelle Lindley is a mesmerizing debut literary fiction novel that weaves together art, desire, and ethical dilemma on a sun-drenched Greek island at the dawn of the 21st century.

1999, Southern Greece. Art historian Elizabeth Clarke embarks on a journey to a remote island to secure a rare and culturally significant nude sculpture. What begins as a professional art acquisition quickly spirals into a tangled web of personal awakening, cultural conflict, and moral reckoning.

Jet-lagged and dependent on prescription medication, Elizabeth leans on her enigmatic translator for support. As she navigates the island’s sensual allure—its heat, its colors, its ancient beauty—she’s drawn deeper into its mysteries. But when she meets his elusive wife, a radical artist challenging traditional representations of the female form, Elizabeth’s loyalties, desires, and identity begin to shift.

Caught between ambition and authenticity, Elizabeth faces an escalating series of choices that test the limits of her ethics and her past. With the fate of the sculpture—and her own reputation—at stake, she must decide what she's truly willing to sacrifice in the name of art.

The Nude is a richly atmospheric and emotionally charged novel exploring the intersections of art, feminism, colonialism, and desire. Perfect for fans of Donna Tartt, Rachel Cusk, and Susan Vreeland.