Lust for Life by Irving Stone Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lust for Life
Book Review: A masterful work of a beautiful soul
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: A profound journey of lonely but gifted soul
Summary: 5 Stars
Irvine Stone portrayed the great painter in a deep and sentimental way. A very good book that should be bought and kept for your kids if they are not spoiled and corrupted by the Nintendo Syndrom yet. After finishing this great book, if you are so profoundly touched, you should pick the other great book from Amazon.com, THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY, a story about Michael Angelo. These two books in combination would give you a wonderful sentimental journey just fine.Book Review: A remarkable accomplishment
Summary: 4 Stars
The accomplishment refers to the writing of Irving Stone. Starting from the collected letters Vincent sent to his younger brother Theo during his life, Stone does something very good: he writes a fictionalized biography without, at the same time, tampering with history. This is a novel as much as a biography. Stone invents dialogues, but they do not become fantasy. Anyway, the book is really moving, I read it 18 years ago and I still remember details of it, much more than some books I read last year. The most important thing about this book is that you get to be inside a great artist's life, being witness to his transformation, from a troubled but well-to-do art merchant (his uncles were among the most important in Europe, his father being a religious man), to his stay at the Netherlands trying to find his soul, to Belgium living in the midst of the terrible poverty of the coal-mine workers (and starting to draw), to Paris, where he dives into artistic life, learning very much in the way; to Arles and days with Gauguin, where his mind starts to go astray, to Auvers. [...] this book is very good indeed. Give it a try and you'll find a life you'll never forget.Book Review: A true masterpiece...beautiful and sad
Summary: 5 Stars
This beautifully written book chronicling the life of Vincent Van Gogh is a wonderful introduction to this remarkable painter, and his painful life. Stone has meticulously researched Van Gogh's life through letters the painter had written. He then uses fiction to fill in the blank spaces, and add dialogue. What makes this book so powerful is that it adds new life to the Van Gogh masterpieces that most of us have seen. The Potato Eaters for example is a masterpiece, but this book details the life of those who appear on the canvas, and Vincent's interaction with them.
This book is truly a masterpiece of writing about one of the great creators of masterpieces. If you are an art connoisseur, your will love this book. If you are not an art connoisseur...you will still love this book.
Book Review: AN ARTIST'S LIFE
Summary: 5 Stars
IRVING STONE HAS HIS READERS RELIVE VINCENT VAN GOGH'S LIFE.AFTER READING THE BOOK YOU CAN EASILY APPRECIATE THE TUMULTOUS LIFE THIS ARTIST HAD.THE AURTHOR HAS USED CERTAIN FICTIONAL MOMENTS AS HE AGREES TO IN THE END.THESE ONLY MAKE THE BOOK MORE READWORTHY.THE EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK IS ON THE LIFE OF VINCENT VAN GOGH IN RELATION TO THE ART HE PRODUCED.ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVOURITES.