The Restorationists
Beneath the Swirling Sky (Book 1)
The Restorationists: Beneath The Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou is book one in a magical series centered on the world of art. Named after famous painters, Vincent and his cousin Georgia travel through paintings in order to save Vincent’s sister Lili who has been “kidnapped” by Vincent’s thought to be dead aunt.
Center to this world, there are people known as the Restorationists and those that are the Distortionists. Vincent’s family, unbeknownst to him, are Restorationists, something that is hereditary. Not everyone can travel through art work, but Vincent’s family can and they are from a long history of family working to restore famous works of art that have been damaged by time, neglect, or the distortionists. Distortionists aim to use art for its power in order to manipulate or gain more power for themselves. Vincent’s mother has kept this world secret from him in order to keep him safe as many Restorationists have been killed by the Distorionists, and thus only a few remain. Additionally, Lili is an adopted sibling from China. The fact that she is even able to travel, along with the other sixteen children later saved from Vincent’s aunt, should technically not be able to travel through art. This loose string leaves open more questions and answers to be explored later in the series.
As the story opens, Vincent is unhappy to be staying with his Great-Uncle Leo, someone he has never met, while his parents go on a cruise. He knows his Great-Uncle Leo is an art conservationist, and within the last year, Vincent has stopped art altogether. Leiloglou does a great job of building out this internal conflict for Vincent throughout the story. As readers will slowly discover, Vincent faced harsh criticism from classmates about his art, art that his parents always praised. Now, he questions everything his mother ever said to him and greatly doubts his real ability as an artist. Vincent has sworn off art altogether. That is, until he begins traveling and working to save his sister and the other children. He discovers his gift and is determined to use it. The overarching message is to not let fear stop you from doing what you know you should or could do. Vincent ends with a new determination to train in his artistic ability and to no longer allow fear to control him.
Noteworthy Quotes/Mentions:
While there are millions of dollars worth of art locked away in Uncle Leo’s attic for him to restore, he makes it very clear that people are “worth more than a picture” (38).
Georgia knows how to paint, but her true art is her pottery. Vincent questions her about her pottery early in the novel. She responds, “‘Pottery is what I do. And I don’t care about being cool. I think it’s more important to do what you like and not worry about what other people think’” (40).
After Lili goes missing, Uncle Leo is explaining the world of Restorationists and art to Vincent. Uncle Leo explains that “artists expressed ideas about politics, society, human nature, and religion and that the best art expressed truth in a way that people needed to hear. That made it dangerous for people who sought power.” He then goes on to explain the times in history when art has been stolen during times of war and the damage done to art during protests. Furthermore, the Distortionists “steal art, create propaganda, and destabilize societies” (60-61).
The story regarding Vincent’s aunt is that she is believed to have died in a house fire that also killed her parents. However, Vincent learns the truth from his aunt that while her parents did die, she escaped. The man she loved and was working with ultimately left her and now she claims she doesn’t work with the Distortionists or the Restoriantists. She is working for her own benefit. She also claims the children in her care were not kidnapped, but that she saved them from the paintings they were found wandering in.
In his aunt’s school she teaches the children in her care that “‘Art is the power to move freely. To take what you want, to be infinitely wealthy. And, greatest of all, that power to influence the minds of the populace’” (145).
Georgia offers some sage advice to Vincent in a time in the book when his internal conflict is coming to a head. She explains to him that there is a difference between people who seek fame and to be great versus those who do art for the experience and those who also will experience it (194). He begins to reexamine the way he views art and the way he was perhaps using it himself.
The opening of Chapter 22 is quite humorous and there is an author’s note that accompanies it. In order to reach the children safely to save them from his Aunt, Vincent and Georgia must travel through a painting of naked people. There is a brief conversation on page 227 as they discuss the uncomfortableness of the situation. Georgia doesn’t think much of it, but then she questions that about herself. In the author’s note on page 283, Leiloglou explains that just like Georgia states “Naked people are a part of art” that it doesn’t mean you have to look at it. She tells the readers to not look at art that makes them uncomfortable and to seek help from a parent if they want to explore more of the art from some of the famous people mentioned in the book and want to bypass anything that would make them uncomfortable. In the story, Vincent and Georgia have a canoe with them as they are using this painting of naked people to get to another painting they will need the canoe for. They turn the canoe upside down and carry it over their heads so they do not have to look at the naked people as they make their way through the painting to the corridor. I thought it was a funny scene and a great way to address something that does come up with some art work.
“Fear shouldn’t get to decide what I do” (232).
While Vincent is primary, Georgia, his cousin, is his partner in "crime" throughout the book. She has grown up traveling and understanding the world of the Restorationists; however, she is at Uncle Leo’s for the week as her parents are “traveling” on a mission without her. In her own story arc, she wants to be seen as capable of doing great things, but her parents are likewise trying to keep her safe by thinking she is not ready for mission work. At the end, they acknowledge that she is ready. Additionally, throughout the story, she is a great motivator for Vincent and she challenges him to really consider what art is and why make art. She is a well thought out companion to balance Vincent and they make a good team.
This novel would make a great family read aloud, and offers a fantasy world in which art can literally transport readers around the world and into an artist’s mind. There is no profanity and there are great Christian elements weaved into the story. In one of Rembrandt’s paintings, Vincent encounters Jesus as he calms the storm, and this encounter leaves him changed as he is filled with peace and courage. Leiloglou also addresses the power of art in her author’s note and how it is a reflection of the image of God, the ultimate Creator. What a beautiful touch and witness to young readers, especially those who are more creative. Sometimes our world today values what seems more tangible, realistic, and productive, which can devalue those who are creative especially when the focus is on how much money you can make off a certain skill. Artists are important, creativity is important, and most importantly it is a reflection of God’s amazing gift. I love how Leiloglou offers that validation to young readers through her story and her art.
