The Silent Woman — Susan Dodd

In the summer of 1914, the celebrated young painter Oskar Kokoschka was in the throes of a passionate love affair with Alma Mahler, the beautiful and seductive widow of the great composer. Now, four short years later, Kokoschka has become a casualty of the Great War. Unlike many of his compatriots, Oskar has survived both a bayonet wound and mustard gas, yet he cannot seem to recover from his inconstant mistress's ruinous betrayal.

Determined to have her -- somehow -- the grieving artist turns to a servant, the shy, reserved Hulda. Shrouded in sadness, this tender young woman reawakens in Oskar desire -- and the passion of creation. But their secret liaison is fueled by Oskar's preoccupation with his lost love, a dangerous obsession that could carry him-and the innocent Hulda -- beyond hope to a place of no return.