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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: A Novel of Monet. Cowell gives us a fictionalized look at the early to middle years of Monet’s career, when he met, wooed and married Camille Doncieux … and painted her in many poses and settings.
The novel is told in two time frames, each section being introduced by an early 20th-century Monet, writing from his Givenchy home circa 1908, and then followed by the late 19th-century time period evoked in his memory, starting in 1857 and ending in 1879. The reader learns of his early struggles, his developing relationship with Camille, and with the other young painters who formed the Impressionists movement – Pissarro, Renoir, Degas, Bazille, et al.
Cowell does a good job of giving the reader a sense of the time and place, as well as the enthusiasm of youth, the passion of working toward one’s dream, the camaraderie of friends, and the safety of a steadfast love. Not to say that all was easy for Claude and Camille. It wasn’t. Their families didn’t approve, their friends were skeptical, their precarious finances made it almost impossible for them to be together for long stretches of time. But Camille’s devotion to Monet did not waiver.
All in all, it’s a good work of historical fiction, with a true-life romance at its core.
At the end of the book, the author includes some historical notes in which she outlines what is fact, and what is fiction in the novel. She also includes a list of the paintings mentioned in the book, and where the works are currently held.
The novel is told in two time frames, each section being introduced by an early 20th-century Monet, writing from his Givenchy home circa 1908, and then followed by the late 19th-century time period evoked in his memory, starting in 1857 and ending in 1879. The reader learns of his early struggles, his developing relationship with Camille, and with the other young painters who formed the Impressionists movement – Pissarro, Renoir, Degas, Bazille, et al.
Cowell does a good job of giving the reader a sense of the time and place, as well as the enthusiasm of youth, the passion of working toward one’s dream, the camaraderie of friends, and the safety of a steadfast love. Not to say that all was easy for Claude and Camille. It wasn’t. Their families didn’t approve, their friends were skeptical, their precarious finances made it almost impossible for them to be together for long stretches of time. But Camille’s devotion to Monet did not waiver.
All in all, it’s a good work of historical fiction, with a true-life romance at its core.
At the end of the book, the author includes some historical notes in which she outlines what is fact, and what is fiction in the novel. She also includes a list of the paintings mentioned in the book, and where the works are currently held.
sawthisdidthat's review against another edition
3.0
Wanted to like this more than I did. Monet is my favorite artist and I’m obsessed with all things Impressionism. I’m not sure this is a romance; it was quite tragic. A bit overwritten in some areas, sagging throughout, yet there were many parts I would have liked more detail on. Didn’t really feel like I knew his friends (other famous painters) by the end. Don’t really know why Claude and Camille loved each other, they don’t really seem to be a great match the way this historical fiction novel is written. Would hardly know Monet’s painting style, as it’s barely discussed - just his strong urge to paint. Didn’t seem like he was happy with any of his pieces, which ones sold? Wish the paintings names would have been referenced throughout, perhaps as a footnote instead of the appendix.
I guess I feel this could have been executed better? Also makes me feel that I now have to separate art from artist as this book makes Monet out to be kind of a jerk - but I don’t know how much of his character here is fictionalized. Happy I read it as I feel inspired to do more research and continue reading about him and his contemporaries, but on the fence if I’d recommend this or not.
I guess I feel this could have been executed better? Also makes me feel that I now have to separate art from artist as this book makes Monet out to be kind of a jerk - but I don’t know how much of his character here is fictionalized. Happy I read it as I feel inspired to do more research and continue reading about him and his contemporaries, but on the fence if I’d recommend this or not.
browardvanessa's review against another edition
2.0
It was too slow for me. I understand the frustrated, passionate artist but I couldn't handle him. It only picked up at the end.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of Claude Monet; his great love, Camille Doncieux; and their life as they struggle together in the years before his fame.
I started reading this not knowing anything about Monet except that I used to have a print of one of his works hanging in my bedroom. I also don't know much about art except that I know what I like. I have enjoyed reading fiction about art and artists in the past, so I thought I'd give this a try.
It was okay. It is always amazing to me that artists who are generally accepted to be--I don't know, geniuses?--had to struggle so hard to be recognized back when they first started out, and sometimes even throughout their entire lives. I guess that just goes to show that people are slow to accept change.
The main reason that this got three stars is that it's written in a style that's not really for me. It felt like the author tried to stick very closely to the facts, which I do respect, but that made it feel more like I was reading a biography rather than fiction. I read very, very little non-fiction, so that wasn't a style that worked for me. I'm willing to sacrifice a little truth for a good story! Just ask my husband! ;-)
The angle of approaching Monet's life through his relationship with Camille also didn't quite work for me. It was a stormy relationship, and I'm not one for that kind of drama in real life or the printed page. I want to smack people around, and say, "If you're that unhappy, do something about it!"
I did enjoy reading about Monet's relationships with the other early Impressionists. I had no idea that all these guys hung out together. Reading a list of Monet's friends is like reading a "Who's Who" of the art world. Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Manet, Cézanne--I know there are more that I'm forgetting. I found myself wishing that I could read more about those relationships. What was included was good and taught me a lot, I just wanted more. I was really curious about Frédéric Bazille. I've never heard of him, but he was a fascinating character. There was always a lot going on behind the scenes with him, and I really wanted to know more.
I do always find myself wishing that publishers would just go ahead and print reproductions of the works in books about art. I knew a few of the paintings that were mentioned, and I would probably recognize more if I saw them, but it would be nice to be able to see Monet's Water Lilies series as I read about it.
This was a good book, there were just a few things that could have made it better for me. I know that not everyone's taste is the same as mine, so there are readers who will enjoy this a lot. Die-hard fans of Monet and readers who regularly read biographies will be among them.
Thanks to Random House for sending me an ARC for review.
I started reading this not knowing anything about Monet except that I used to have a print of one of his works hanging in my bedroom. I also don't know much about art except that I know what I like. I have enjoyed reading fiction about art and artists in the past, so I thought I'd give this a try.
It was okay. It is always amazing to me that artists who are generally accepted to be--I don't know, geniuses?--had to struggle so hard to be recognized back when they first started out, and sometimes even throughout their entire lives. I guess that just goes to show that people are slow to accept change.
The main reason that this got three stars is that it's written in a style that's not really for me. It felt like the author tried to stick very closely to the facts, which I do respect, but that made it feel more like I was reading a biography rather than fiction. I read very, very little non-fiction, so that wasn't a style that worked for me. I'm willing to sacrifice a little truth for a good story! Just ask my husband! ;-)
The angle of approaching Monet's life through his relationship with Camille also didn't quite work for me. It was a stormy relationship, and I'm not one for that kind of drama in real life or the printed page. I want to smack people around, and say, "If you're that unhappy, do something about it!"
I did enjoy reading about Monet's relationships with the other early Impressionists. I had no idea that all these guys hung out together. Reading a list of Monet's friends is like reading a "Who's Who" of the art world. Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Manet, Cézanne--I know there are more that I'm forgetting. I found myself wishing that I could read more about those relationships. What was included was good and taught me a lot, I just wanted more. I was really curious about Frédéric Bazille. I've never heard of him, but he was a fascinating character. There was always a lot going on behind the scenes with him, and I really wanted to know more.
I do always find myself wishing that publishers would just go ahead and print reproductions of the works in books about art. I knew a few of the paintings that were mentioned, and I would probably recognize more if I saw them, but it would be nice to be able to see Monet's Water Lilies series as I read about it.
This was a good book, there were just a few things that could have made it better for me. I know that not everyone's taste is the same as mine, so there are readers who will enjoy this a lot. Die-hard fans of Monet and readers who regularly read biographies will be among them.
Thanks to Random House for sending me an ARC for review.
kategci's review against another edition
3.0
This is a novelization of the Impressionist artist, Claude Monet. It is similar in tone to The Paris Wife and the Aviator's Wife which are also novelizations of famous figures' lives. This story is told in the third person, focussing on Monet's point of view. It begins at age 17, when he realizes that he has a gift and is meant to be an artist as he cannot see himself doing anything else. He goes to Paris where he meets up with other artists, Renoir, Manet and Pissaro as well as the man who becomes his best friend, Fredeic Bazille. They are all scraping by, as art is not paying enough to support them. They are reliant on their families which mostly hoped for better things for their sons. Monet eventually meets Camille Doncieux who becomes his great love and greatest muse. She is from a wealthy family and somewhat fragile, but supports him as he leads the driven life of an artist. I would not have picked this up, but it is a selection for one of my book groups. I knew little about the Impressionist artists; I have seen some of their great paintings, but I was unaware of the political climate in the late 1800s in France. This will definitely appeal to those interested in art as it gives insight into these artists' lives and fans of historical fiction who enjoy reading more about famous men and women.
ewg109's review against another edition
I couldn't stomach this one right now. I just wanted to smack both of them.
ori_gina_lity's review against another edition
5.0
I'd been wanting to read this for a while and when it was FINALLY at the library I checked it out, disregarding all the other books I'd been meaning to read and dived in. I really really really enjoyed it.
carol8's review against another edition
4.0
"Camille Doncieux... Claude adored her; he painted her more than he ever painted anyone else."
Muse
"My love for you is deep, deep inside myself like something below the water. Only with my brush when I paint again will I express it. Whatever I do in the rest of my life, my love for you is part of it, and in everything I paint I will remember you and say with my work what you were to me."
"Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love." ~Claude Monet
Muse
"My love for you is deep, deep inside myself like something below the water. Only with my brush when I paint again will I express it. Whatever I do in the rest of my life, my love for you is part of it, and in everything I paint I will remember you and say with my work what you were to me."
"Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love." ~Claude Monet
sarahjoyce's review against another edition
4.0
You've probably heard of Claude Monet, the painter, does lots of flowers and lily pads? Well this is the story of how he became the impressionist that is known and loved. He struggles with his art, with his friends and of course with his love life. He meets Camille, who turns out to be the love of his life, but does she have a secret? Though they come from different classes and have a difficult life today they are truly in love.
I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, and if you share that love this is most likely a story for you. Told entirely from Monet's perspective you get a real feel for the life of a poor artist in Paris. It was interesting to see the interactions of Monet with his other artists friends, like Renoir, Cezanne, Dega's and Manet.. Monet is a flawed character, and his drive to paint nearly costs him everything on several occasions. While this isn't the most original story it was good and engaging. Like i said, if you're a fan of the likes of Chevalier and Vreeland this is a novel for you.
I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, and if you share that love this is most likely a story for you. Told entirely from Monet's perspective you get a real feel for the life of a poor artist in Paris. It was interesting to see the interactions of Monet with his other artists friends, like Renoir, Cezanne, Dega's and Manet.. Monet is a flawed character, and his drive to paint nearly costs him everything on several occasions. While this isn't the most original story it was good and engaging. Like i said, if you're a fan of the likes of Chevalier and Vreeland this is a novel for you.
nglofile's review against another edition
1.0
Initial disclaimer: there are some personal triggers in this story, which I fully acknowledge may have colored my experience of it.
In the historical notes, the author writes, "I wanted readers to know him as he was to better understand what he became." Though I can appreciate the intent, I cannot say that my understanding of him deepened, unless it was to have any good opinion obliterated in the face of his narcissism, lack of personal responsibility, and general brattiness. We are supposed to understand that he was motivated by this great love, yet love and devotion are not what is demonstrated. Perhaps this is not the fault of the book, but of the historical figures themselves (because, to be fair, I didn't think much of Camille either)? True, but the narrative lacked a cohesiveness as well as engagement with the reader. This was a book that seemed much longer than it actually was.
audiobook note: Christopher Cazenove has a strong voice and good expression. However, I couldn't shake the idea that he was the wrong voice for this work -- that his voice was too stalwart or noble for the self-serving characters. It was an odd reaction to have, especially as I've a wide listening experience and can appreciate different nuances offered, but it wouldn't be shaken.
In the historical notes, the author writes, "I wanted readers to know him as he was to better understand what he became." Though I can appreciate the intent, I cannot say that my understanding of him deepened, unless it was to have any good opinion obliterated in the face of his narcissism, lack of personal responsibility, and general brattiness. We are supposed to understand that he was motivated by this great love, yet love and devotion are not what is demonstrated. Perhaps this is not the fault of the book, but of the historical figures themselves (because, to be fair, I didn't think much of Camille either)? True, but the narrative lacked a cohesiveness as well as engagement with the reader. This was a book that seemed much longer than it actually was.
audiobook note: Christopher Cazenove has a strong voice and good expression. However, I couldn't shake the idea that he was the wrong voice for this work -- that his voice was too stalwart or noble for the self-serving characters. It was an odd reaction to have, especially as I've a wide listening experience and can appreciate different nuances offered, but it wouldn't be shaken.