Seeking Critique partners for historical fiction concerning 19th century French sculptors

[Jason Louis Arkles]

Hello! Do you like books about art and atists that are historically faithful and well researched? Have I got the book for you... eventually. I'm about 3/4 done wih the first draft, 3 chapters to go, at around 50k so far. Looking for chapter-by-chapter crits but I'll crit whatever you have. As per the instructions:

 Last loved book: Desolation Island by Patrick o'Brian, who is my lodestar. I'm currently on my third circumnavigation (if you know, you know).  I suppose his work also epitomizes me as a reader; I love witty writing and omnicient third prose. Other favorite books include Pale Fire by Nabakov, Confederacy of Dunces, and the usual suspects of 19th century literature - Dickens, Melville, Austen.

Having said all this, mostly I read historical nonfiction; I'm an art historian as well as professional sculptor and sculpture instructor living in Florence, Italy, and host a podcast about figurative sculpture and its history, so when i have time to read, it's usually going to be histories, but also great nonfiction like The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, or other works where art and culture strongly interact (Paris Reborn, Brunelleschi's Dome, etc.)

Ah yes,  my book! It's the true story of a Parisian sculpture atelier during the years of 1846-48, the leadup to and the crisis of the 1848 Revolution, in which art students and artists directly participated. The atelier in question is the teaching studio of François Rude, mostly remembered today as being the master of the next generation of France's greatest sculptors - Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Emmanuel Frémiet, Charles Cordier, and more - who were all under Rude's tuteledge in the period my book is set, before they were famous. Beyond the main plot of the Revolution, the book is sort of a collection of origin stories, which I plan to expand upon in sequels. 

I've written and self-published one historical novel already, so I am not completely new though largely self-educated as a writer. I hired editors and that was a very useful experience, and my editing skills are worlds away from where they were two years ago ( I think)!

Any takers? I am very excited to be someone else's crit partner, I've never had the experience and I look forward to finding my very own story buddy.

Best,

Jason

[David Reads]

Hi Jason! Your book actually sounds really interesting, especially the idea of following the atelier during such a politically and artistically important period. The connection between the Revolution and the young artists who would later become so influential definitely caught my attention.

I should mention that I’m not really a formal critique partner, so I wouldn’t want to promise a full chapter-by-chapter critique exchange. But I’d genuinely love to read what you have and share my honest thoughts as a reader—especially on the story flow, pacing, characters, clarity, and whether the historical details feel engaging rather than overwhelming.

And your background as an art historian and sculptor makes me even more curious about it. If you’re open to having someone read from more of a reader/beta-reader perspective, I’d definitely be interested!