I love Alice Hoffman's work and have truly enjoyed her use of magical realism. However, in this plot, it lost me. While I appreciate the message of the transformative/lifesaving power of art and novels, the plot felt a bit rushed. I also felt like I much of Mia's growth as a charactor in part two. This novel was atmospheric and so fitting for the time of the year (autumn) that I read this book in, but the time travel aspect lost me a bit in this one!