Peter Heller’s “The Painter” Tops Best of 2014 Book Lists

Denver-based bestselling author Peter Heller has released his second novel. The Painter explores the violent nature of man through the life of fly fisher and artist, Jim Stegner, and has been met with critical acclaim.

Read more in the press release below.

New York Times Bestselling Author Peter Heller’s “The Painter” Tops Best of 2014 Book Lists 

Denver, 12/17/14—Two years ago, Peter Heller’s debut novel was a breakout bestseller. Topping Best Books of the Year lists from Atlantic Monthly, San Francisco Examiner, and Hudson Booksellers, The Dog Stars was critically celebrated and published in eighteen languages.

This year Heller’s second novel, The Painter, has garnered similar acclaim, appearing on Best Book lists of 2014 by Amazon, Apple iTunes and Oprah. The book is a handsome, savage story pairing art and angst, love and lust, grief and—ultimately —healing.

A certain fierceness informs Jim Stegner, an expressionist artist who paints and fly fishes with similar abandon, finding comfort and inspiration in nature, while struggling to transcend the violent nature of man.

From the outset, Stegner takes us along for a wild ride. Serene moments spent fishing mountain streams of the American West, our only respite. And it’s these lyrical descriptions that put The Painter in rare company with some of the finest fly-fishing prose ever written.

With the elements of mystery, adventure, and man’s internal struggles perfectly balanced, Heller carries us along at a breakneck pace, intersecting action and luscious descriptions of Stegner as he paints, and fishes, and learns to create a meaningful life.

Please contact me if you would like a review copy or to arrange an interview with the author.

About the Author

Peter Heller is a longtime contributor to NPR, and a contributing editor at Outside Magazine, Men’s Journal, and National Geographic Adventure. He is an award winning adventure writer and the author of four books of literary nonfiction.

Heller’s debut novel, The Dog Stars, was an overnight success, topping bestseller lists and chosen as several community reads books across the country. He lives in Denver.

More Praise for “The Painter” 

“a masterful novel… [which] explores the mysteries of the human heart and creates an indelible portrait of a man searching for peace, while seeking to maintain his humanity in the face of violence and injustice.” -Publisher’s Weekly, STARRED review

“At times suspenseful, at times melancholy, at times spiritual, but always engrossing . . . Compelling. This novel embraces themes of personal loss and growth, drama and suspense, while also including plenty for those who enjoy art or nature fiction. Highly recommended.” -Library Journal, STARRED review

“Heller’s writing is sure-footed and rip-roaring, star-bright and laced with ‘dark yearning,’ coalescing in an ever-escalating, ravishing, grandly engrossing and satisfying tale of righteousness and revenge, artistic fervor and moral ambiguity.” -Booklist, STARRED review