Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Crown
Release Date: April 6th, 2010
Source: I received this ARC from the publisher for review.
Claude Monet, Frédéric Bazille, Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, Édouard Manet, and Alfred Sisley were their names, and though they are instantly recognizable to us today, there was once a time when these great artists had to sell off their bed linens to purchase paint, removing the wooden stretchers from their canvases to use as fuel to keep their fires burning for just an hour longer in the dead of winter. It amazes me that they struggled together for so long, sharing a tattered studio space and attempting to get people to see past the old-fashioned classical styles of painting and learn to appreciate their unique, stylized methods, which people of the hoity-toity 19th century art world referred to as “unfinished.”
I love books that deal with artists and art history, but my reading in the past has focused more on Renaissance artists (and any regular readers of this blog will already know my great fascinating with all things Leonardo da Vinci). I knew a little bit of background on the Impressionists but this book brought all my imaginative assumptions to life with in-depth dialogue and characterization. I had no idea the extent of the camaraderie that existed between these artists; the enormous support they provided for each other artistically, emotionally and financially. As Camille states later on in the book, the way these men lived was “un pour tous, tous pour un,” —all for one and one for all.
I was fully and completely captivated by this book. It totally changed everything I thought I knew about Monet’s work. An amateur artist myself, I can somewhat appreciate the mental tug-of-war that can go on inside an artist’s head when creating a composition. “Am I capturing the light just right? Is that tone correct for the mood I am attempting to portray?” – It can be frustrating, to say the least. Granted, I’ve never reached the point of frustration whereby nothing short of ripping my work down off its canvas will cleanse my lack of satisfaction (as Monet did). But it was fun for me to get inside Monet’s head a bit and rehash that feeling of never being quite pleased with one’s own work, despite what praise others may give it. Stephanie Cowell grew up among a family of artists, so I’m sure that it is no small coincidence that she really nailed the artist mentality in this book.
The way the characters’ personalities progressed throughout the novel was very endearing, and I especially liked the “Interludes” scattered throughout the book, which transitioned from Claude as a young starving artist to him at an old age looking back on his life. As I learned at a recent Stephanie Cowell book signing and talk the evening of publication day (more on that to follow!), very little—essentially nothing—is known about Camille. So the fact that Ms. Cowell was able to fill in those blanks so believably and with enough restraint that Camille, a rebellious upper class gentlewoman, could plausibly fit into her restrictive time period is very impressive to me. Camille’s character is complex, though. While at first it appears that she is simply adventurous, yearning to shun rigid society life and pursue a career as an actress (an absolute nightmare to her parents, who see acting as no more modest a profession than prostitution), we later find out that there is more to “The Parisian Queen” than just the charming young muse in the green opera dress.
I’ll never look at a Monet painting the same way again!
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The Giveaway Goodies: One hardcover copy of Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet by Stephanie Cowell.
This giveaway is now closed
Thanks so much for the review! This book sounds very interesting.
belle.illusion@yahoo.com
The more I read about this novel, the more anxious I am to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.+5 I'm a follower through Google Readerlcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this book. I'm a current follower.amandarwest at gmaildotcom
I would love to win this book.joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I'm also follower.joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I would love to win.I am a follower +5I have posted the giveaway on my sidebar at http://www.brokenteepee.info+2thank youkaiminani at gmail dot com
I'm a follower! +5 Thanks for the giveaway!Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
I'm a follower. Thank you for the giveaway! sliugarcia@gmail.com
I am already a Follower +5.I have never looked closely into the lives of artists. Of course there are the famous or notorious stories of a few of the greats that everyone has heard.It will be nice to get to know an artist whose work I admire. This sounds like a story that will reveal much about the artist, his love, their lives and his work. I look forward to reading it.librarypat AT comcast DOT net
I love Monet.. This sounds like a lovely book to read.Thanks for the giveaway and the opportunity to enter.I am a follower via googlemisskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
No need to enter me as I already have a copy for review. I just wanted to say what a lovely review this is! I know what you mean, Monet's painting take on a whole new life now! Have a great weekend
Thank you for hosting this giveaway. I follow.mystica123athotmaildotcom
Your lovely review has made quite an impression! I am a Monet lover and would love to take a peek at the personal side. Thank you for the chance!christinezeg(at)gmail(dot)com
Great review Allie! Your post reminded me that it is true I knew about these artists before, but didn't really know that they worked together or even knew each other. It added such a depth to the characters and what I knew about them. And isn't it great that Cowell could flesh out Camille into an amazing character from essentially nothing?
would enjoy reading this book…thanks for the opportunity
karenkkmkuka at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this book. He was my favorite artist.
I would love to read this.hewella1@gmail.com
From the author: Allie, thank you for coming the other night and for this lovely review! It has been an amazing five days since publication day, truly. Thank you!! Fondly, Stephanie
Please count me in.+5 followersimplystacieblog at gmail dot com
I would love to read this book. Unfortunately, many artists have alot of problems. It is a shame for them to go that, but it does make me admire their work even more.debptwoofakind12@yahoo.com
This sounds great. I'd love to learn more about Monet through a historical novel! Please enter me.I am also a follower for +5.ludeluh at yahoo dot com
I just wanted to say first that I love your ratings system!! I quite enjoy reading about the life and wives of Henry VIII… and thanks for this giveaway!!Desicarolinagirlmommy@gmail.com
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I blogged about the contest here.joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I'd love to read this.+5 I'm a follower via GFC.bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great review Allie! I will also never look the same at Monet's works or any of the other Impressionists either.
Allie, I too really enjoyed the band the artists had formed together. I had no idea they really cared about each other so much, helping each other out even if that meant putting themselves into dire straights. Loved the review!
Thanks for the giveaway. This sounds interesting.mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT complus 5…blog follower via GFC
I would love to read this. +5, I follow on gfc/blogger.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
I would really like to read this book. Thanks!kristinemarie7 at gmail.com
I added the giveaway to my blog.kristinemarie7 at gmail.com
I would love to read Claude & Camille.nancysoffice at gmail dot com
I became a blog follower.nancysoffice at gmail dot com
This sounds like an amazing book
Thanks for teh chance!eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love Monet's art and would love to read this! Thanks for the chance!I'm a loyal follower.miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net
thanks for this lovely giveaway. The review sounded extraordinary. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Please, count me in for this fabulous giveaway + 5 I'm already a follower
Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom
I would love to read this-I am a huge Monet fanI am a follower +5chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com
I've heard nothing but good things about this book! Please enter me, and I am a follower+6 for JDQ1175@aol.com
I'd love it. Thanks for the giveaway.s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Follower +5 +2 for link here http://vampira2468.wordpress.com/stalking-contests/vampireprincess2468@yahoo.com
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