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Summary: Into the Heart of Vincent Van Gogh
Review: "Isn't that the guy who cut his ear off?"
This is the usual answer you would receive if you asked someone if they ever heard of Vincent Van Gogh. Not the brilliant artist who produced some of the most recognizable works of art the world has ever seen. Not the evangelical humanitarian, who lived in poverty so that he could give nearly all he had to the poor miners of Etten. Sadly, to a lot of the world, Mr. Van Gogh is known as the crazy artist who cut off his left ear and gave it to a prostitute.
Like that same majority, I too only knew Van Gogh for his self mutilation. Sure, I had seen some of his paintings, but I always said to myself, "What's so special about that? Actually it looks kind of childish." Then one day I picked up a copy of Irving Stone's, "Lust for Life," and I never viewed art or artist the same again.
The beauty of Stones book is how it's written. He doesn't write it like a typical biography of facts and quotes from Van Gogh's life. But rather he turns Van Gogh into a character of interest that grabs the reader's attention. There was no point in the book where I felt lost from overused details and dates. I found myself enjoying a biographical sketch of a tortured and interesting life.
I found the life of Van Gogh to be fascinating. Though a lot of book has facts that seemed to be bent due to dramatic effect, nonetheless, that angular view only infuses the books appeal. For instance, we can never know what Van Gogh said behind closed doors, or the truth behind why he went insane; but Stone fills that void with a beautiful yet melancholic truth that triggers your conscience to have sympathy and empathy for this sometimes misunderstood artist.
Each chapter begins with a city. Each city has a special effect on Vincent's life. From his Evangelical work in Etten; to his artistic heights in Arles, we meet a lot of interesting characters who also had a special effect on Vincent. We meet the prostitute with whom Vincent loved and nourished while she was pregnant. We meet come in contact with other artist such as Gauguin and Pissaro. And we meet his brother, who supported Vincent both financially and spiritually throughout his whole artistic journey.
The only downfall of the book is that readers may take everything Stone has written in the novel as truth. Though a lot of facts throughout the book match up, a few of the ideas expressed are Stones own vision of Van Gogh's life.
But for those of you who are looking for an interesting story of a very interesting human being, then I highly suggest you read this book. By the end, I guarantee you'll find yourself seeking out museums that hold Van Gogh's works of art. It's one of those rare books you read that changes your perspective on life in general, and will have you lusting for a life that supersedes the ordinary.
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Summary: Expressing oneself
Review: "One day you will express yourself and that will justify your existence", said Vincent van gogh's teacher to him. if i start writing about the book, it will wet reams of paper. I have read the book at least fifty times and everytime i derive a different meaning from it. lust for life potrays the kind of life vincent van gogh, the famous painter lived. how he tried to find true love and how he failed. and how he experimented with painting; everytime you read his story, there is a sinking feeling in your heart. you can feel his agony and ecstasy. this book has given me confidence- of being separate and different from the crowd. i have learnt to be an extremist in life, no matter what price i have to pay for it. it has also made me think that i can work as a mason, a clerk or a writer, or as a social activist and still be able to be different and yes.... one day i'll express myself and that will justify my existence. after reading the book, i have sought peace. what i found is ecstasy, anguish, madness and loneliness... the solitary pain that gnaws the heart, but peace i did not find. do i need it? no. No. Never.
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Summary: Expressing oneself
Review: "One day you will express yourself and that will justify your existence", said Vincent van gogh's teacher to him. if i start writing about the book, it will wet reams of paper. I have read the book at least fifty times and everytime i derive a different meaning from it. lust for life potrays the kind of life vincent van gogh, the famous painter lived. how he tried to find true love and how he failed. and how he experimented with painting; everytime you read his story, there is a sinking feeling in your heart. you can feel his agony and ecstasy. this book has given me confidence- of being separate and different from the crowd. i have learnt to be an extremist in life, no matter what price i have to pay for it. it has also made me think that i can work as a mason, a clerk or a writer, or as a social activist and still be able to be different and yes.... one day i'll express myself and that will justify my existence. after reading the book, i have sought peace. what i found is ecstasy, anguish, madness and loneliness... the solitary pain that gnaws the heart, but peace i did not find. do i need it? no. No. Never.
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Summary: Amazing book
Review: A masterpiece by Irving Stone. You admire this book more if you have seen van Gogh's paintings. But I really wonder, does this book truly depicts van Gogh's life? It seems to me that Irving Stone has romanticized van Gogh's life. His life might have been as dull as mine or yours. But Irving Stone's presentation has made a whole lot of difference. This is an amazing book, inspiring and I feel one can relate to this very easily.
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Summary: Best book I have read in a long time
Review: A well written book on the life of Vincent Van Gogh. This book is easy to read and so interesting that I just couldn't put it down once I started reading
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Summary: Excellent novel!
Review: Absolutely fantastic novel about a passionate man. I have a new appreciation of his work. I would love to see a re-release of the novel with color images of his paintings interspersed with the text. My only (minor) frustration with the book was that I could not see the paintings as he discussed them. I wound up at a print store searching through the bins. Luckily no one heard me when I found one of his prints and said out loud, "Oh, he just painted this one 2 pages ago!" A great read, especially for anyone who considers themself an artist. _Lust for Life_ is now sitting next to my Margaret George biographical novels!
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Summary: What's all this babbling about? Best book I've ever read.
Review: As simple as that... this is the best book I've ever read.
Read it if you like to read about Van Gogh, read it if you like to read Irving Stone, read it if you like to read at all.
Just do it!
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Summary: A masterful work of a beautiful soul
Review: Few times have I ever found myself so completely lost in the world of another human being as I did through this book. Irving Stone's work has already been praised thoughout his lifetime. Nonetheless, it is important to know that this is one of those works of art that seems to come from a mythical language that is the source of both truth and creativity, thereby effectively blurring the line separating novel from history while simultaneously enriching both art forms AND the subject. This is why scholars and art lovers alike have read this and enjoyed it so. There will be parts of this work where you will not be able to understand the motivation for van Gogh's actions, or the source of his inspiration. And there will be times when you will swear the book is about you. So profoundly does he capture the soul of the artist- and all artists- and in so doing the communal soul of humanity.It is impossible not to enjoy this book. If you love Impressionism, Amsterdam/Holland, Paris, art, fine writingng, biography, or any combination of the above- and of course, if you are an artist (I am a writer and musician), this book may change you.
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Summary: An Absolute Masterpiece !
Review: For those not specifically interested in Van Gogh this book might be a little heavy and slow. For those of us who are, this book is an absolute masterpiece; its novelesque approach makes reading it a real pleasure. Stone captures the essence of the man behind the paintings, his anguish, his passion.... Neophytes who have read the book become addicted to VG.
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Summary: A book that reaches spiritual heights
Review: I became interested in van Gogh after seeing an exhibition of his and other petit boulevard paintings. I wish that I had read this book beforehand. Vincent was a truly beautiful, misunderstood person, working way, way ahead of his time. Many of the questions that Vincent asks of himself are not unlike the journeys that many people are on right now; questions about a higher being, one's place in the world and true calling, and what constitutes one person as sane over another. Reading this book made me feel something much deeper than many books I have read lately. I was sad when the book was finished, because I know that it will be a tough act to follow. I was reminded of Siddhartha and books of that caliber.
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