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A review by ominouslilraven
Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith
5.0
I had quite a few opposing feelings whilst reading this.
There was so much about Vincents life that I did not know, had not heard or read about, and while it didn’t lessen my fondness for him it definitely has changed the way I view him.
This biography of his life is so vividly detailed at times that it’s painful. I love the fact that it is so well researched and they were pulling from historical documents.
I did have some problems with the way some things were written. For instance, near the end of the book, when Vincent and Theo we’re exchanging letters after Theo’s marriage, the authors write as if they knew Theo’s intentions with his words and made him sound like he was simply being callous. I get that the relationship between the brothers was not rainbows and unicorns like popular media has proposed. However, I don’t think he was ever intentionally callous to his brothers emotions as proposed in this book.
So why five stars?
Because at the end of the day regardless of my opinion this book is magnificent! It it’s absolutely beautiful and the sources can’t be rivaled.
In addition, I also very much appreciate the stance they took on Vincent’s death. It’s so thorough and so well researched and so well explained. The authors did a marvelous job shedding light on one of the least popular theories.
If you are a fan of Vincent and wish to know more or if you love Vincent and you think you know about his life, I highly suggest this book.
There was so much about Vincents life that I did not know, had not heard or read about, and while it didn’t lessen my fondness for him it definitely has changed the way I view him.
This biography of his life is so vividly detailed at times that it’s painful. I love the fact that it is so well researched and they were pulling from historical documents.
I did have some problems with the way some things were written. For instance, near the end of the book, when Vincent and Theo we’re exchanging letters after Theo’s marriage, the authors write as if they knew Theo’s intentions with his words and made him sound like he was simply being callous. I get that the relationship between the brothers was not rainbows and unicorns like popular media has proposed. However, I don’t think he was ever intentionally callous to his brothers emotions as proposed in this book.
So why five stars?
Because at the end of the day regardless of my opinion this book is magnificent! It it’s absolutely beautiful and the sources can’t be rivaled.
In addition, I also very much appreciate the stance they took on Vincent’s death. It’s so thorough and so well researched and so well explained. The authors did a marvelous job shedding light on one of the least popular theories.
If you are a fan of Vincent and wish to know more or if you love Vincent and you think you know about his life, I highly suggest this book.