A novel by Rochelle Ratner

July 1, 1991 • 5.5 x 8.5 • 176 pages • 978-0-918273-87-1

The Lion’s Share is an uncommon love story, a delving into the creative process, and a forum for issues of arts censorship and recovery from childhood sexual abuse.

This story of late-blooming love, set against the obstacles of career, artistic expression and the scare of previous relationships, is closely observed and sensitively told. Living and breathing New York’s SoHo art scene, Jana, a career-minded painter has just met Ed, a soft-hearted arts funder. She is faced with juggling a budding relationship with her studio painting, and the biggest challenge in her tenure as the curator of a small art gallery.

The 34-year-old virgin could be ready to begin a serious relationship, but why is she suddenly bombarded with memories, dormant for so long, of a childhood summer in a camp infirmary? Ed may succeed in providing himself to Jana, but will his corporate employer interfere with her controversial art exhibition thereby destroying their already delicate relationship?

Reviews

“Dominating this story of a thirtysomething artist living in Manhattan is her struggle with healing the wounds left from being sexually abused as a child. Jana Replansky is a respected curator for the Paperworks Space (a successful, nonprofit gallery), a painter, and—a virgin. Early on in this quirky novel, she states emphatically, ‘Virginity—it isn’t a disease,’ but it has, in fact, become a burden. Enter Ed Gabrielli. The author explores themes dealing with censorship and the arts and the creative process. But primarily, Ratner chronicles the evolution of a contemporary, urban relationship—albeit quite an unusual one.” —Booklist

“Artist Jana Replensky seems to be battling the same problems as many women in modern society: a stressful job, unfulfilling relationships, and a need to find herself. As she tells Jana’s story, Ratner gives us a very intriguing look at the artistic community and how much art galleries are at the mercy of corporate businesses. . . . A very well-written look at the emotions and problems Jana has encountered, this is recommended for all public libraries.” —Library Journal

“The Lion’s Share reads like an adult Judy Blume novel.” —New York Newsday