Lust for Life by Irving Stone Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lust for Life
Book Review: Helps you appreciate a great artist
Summary: 5 Stars
I went to NYC and wanted to visit the Met. I know a little about a lot of artists but really wanted to find out more. This book really helps you understand and appreciate the work of Van Gough. Amazing.Book Review: His life and art will shine like a 'sun flower' for ever
Summary: 5 Stars
'Lust for life' is as Osho, the intellectual giant of the 20th century puts it 'its not a novel, rather it's a spiritual book' In fact once we finish reading this book, we too would feel the same thing with this book. He was almost thought to be good for nothing at home. He tries his best to do everything that could make him financially independent. He joins his uncle's art gallery as an employee. Because of his honesty and openness towards truth he had to leave even that job. One fine day while he was sitting somewhere and reading his father's letter, he happened to draw something on the empty space of the letter. That's when he feels "why shouldn't i start painting?" That's how he starts off with painting. That was when he was 27 years old. At a stretch till he was 37, till he commits suicide, he becomes one mad guy who is obsessed with only work. He lived as an artist only for ten years. But he lived a life which could be set an example for the rest of art world. Irving stone had done a great job in researching and understanding Van Gogh and his work. Its more true to life of Van Gogh than a fiction. As Irving stone says, in this book everything is true except the character 'Maya'. He is absolutely right though. 'Maya' in Sanskrit (Indian language) means illusion. That is only created character here. But it works out the best because the whole book is nonfiction and 'Maya' is like a beautiful dream sequence in this book which never happened in Van Gogh's life.
After i had read this book, i have always thought that 'Lust for life' should be practiced as a theory book in art schools. It could inspire any body who is into art fields. One can get a real good kick to become obsessive about what they love to do.
as a whole Van Gogh was more humanly(un like Gauguin) passionate and little mad(in a positive sense). If any body is lacking these qualities and still they think they are artists...i am sorry they are NOT. Art needs certain qualities to be possessed. Once one has all these, being able to draw and paint come later to be called as an artist.
Book Review: Incredible Incredible Incredible !
Summary: 5 Stars
Very few books have influenced me deep down as has Lust for Life, the classic biography of Van Gogh, arguably the greatest impressionist of all times.
Gogh, led a life in extreme poverty till his death, partly because his impressionist style was not accepted as a ''style'' until much later, and partly because he refused to give in however difficult it got.
The life:
Van Gogh led a remarkable life. And a very painful one.
Despite being one from a well placed family, he led himself from one occupation to another - unable to find himself suited to any one of them. Misunderstood by everyone except his dear brother Theo, Gogh was forever alone. His sensitivity, especially to the pain felt by other people often led him to put himself through punishing tasks and challenges.
An episode from his life that was particularly touching was when he was serving as a preacher in an impoverished mining town named Borinage. In an attempt to save men from dying from the mercilessly cold winter plus dangling unemployment, Gogh gives away all his clothes, wrapping himself with grocery bags and utility box wrappers.
In another episode, Gogh walks for days without food and proper shoes, ultimately leading himself to a breakdown.
The author brings Gogh in front of our eyes. We could see him. We could feel him. And of course, we cried as well.
The artist :
During the course of his life, Gogh discovers his relationship with the (sketch and charcoal) pen and later colors. He painted as he saw things, and anyone who has seen his paintings knows that they speak volumes.
The author very effectively delves into the psyche of Gogh through his experiences. Gogh's involvement with the people around him made way for his intense portrayals in form of sketches and paintings. If you have seen ''the potato eaters'' you know what I mean.
The book tells the stories behind many of his now greatly acclaimed paintings; from potato eaters, to self portrait, to the painting on ''Pigeon'' the prostitute, to starry nights..each one now seems to throb with life when I see them.
The greatness:
Is in the fact that the human face of Gogh neither diminished nor tired throughout his life. The dazzling brilliance shined though the darkest nights. Creativity never gave in. In the end, the body gave in, the spirit did not.
The writer:
Brings life into sentences,paragraphs and pages. It seems I've known Gogh all my life.
Read it once to check for yourself.
Book Review: Into the Heart of Vincent Van Gogh
Summary: 5 Stars
"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.
Book Review: Irving Stone at his best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm in awe of Irving Stone's gift for taking historical figures that we only think we know, and bringing them to life. This is Vincent van Gogh in all his complex and difficult genius. You will feel his pain and anguish at a world that clearly is not ready to appreciate his talents. But more importantly, you will discover how he rose above his limitations to produce some of the most enduring art the modern world has known. Oh, and of course this histrical account is heavily researched, yet never bogs you down in facts. Like the best Stone, Lust for Life is ultimately readable.