Lust for Life by Irving Stone Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lust for Life
Book Review: Lust for Life - Will reach your soul.
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked this book out of luck, and I'm really glad I did. This is a book that makes you feel -- you suffer with Vincent's bad times, and you fill with joy with his triumphs... It tells about the most important aspects about Van Gogh's life, his close relationship with his brother Theo, his passionate yet unproductive attempts as a lover, how he got an artist's soul through his poverty, and how, in spite of all he did, nobody looked at him as what he was -an artist- until he was no more.
Irving Stone's writing is beautiful yet easy to read...
I found out that he wrote it around the 30's after reading it, and I was purely amazed.
This is a book that will make it's own way to your heart, and will stay there for a long time...
Take a friend's advice. Buy this book.
Book Review: Lust for Stone
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a beautiful novel. It is extremely well written, the story flows smoothly and the characters are all life like. Of course, it is a biographocal novel, so most of the events and characters are drawn from real life, which makes the task of creating the story easier, but Stone breathes incredible vitality into Van Gogh and those surrounding him. It would be hard to recreate van Gogh's intensity and passion (as well as his descent into madness), but Stone does an admirable job of it. Also, through incredible research Stone takes the reader to the settings of many of Van Gogh's landscapes and introduces many of the subjects of his portraits, which helps someone as ignorant about art as me understand his vision and motivations. I don't see a problem with Stone making up dialogue and some of the scenes in the book, because they make it a richer story and even in authentic biographies, no one has perfect recall of exactly what took place. I would say this book is not as good as The Agony and The Ecstacy, which is an absolute must read for anyone, but it is a brilliant novel and I will recommend it to everyone, even if you know nothing about art or no particular interest in Van Gogh. You will not be disappointed after reading this book.
Book Review: One of the best books I've ever read
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this book and recommend it to anyone. I've always been interest in art and I love biographies. This book is great and it keeps you interested from beginning to end. It's is definitely on my list of best books I ever read.Book Review: Provides a meaning to life
Summary: 5 Stars
Lust for Life has been and remains my favorite book.
A fictional biography of Van Gogh, the great artist who 'cut his ear off', is not only well written, but a great motivator.
Stone's sensitive and entertaining of Van Gogh's life helps provide some anchors in a search for meaning. What is truly impressive is that Van Gogh, despite his near 'silver spoon' origins and strong family connections with the art World, persisted in doing his own thing. He used to starve, while using his allowance for canvas and paints. And that too without knowing that he will be one of the Masters. This belief in self was truly insane.
I am not courageous enough to follow such a path, nor have a comparable passion (or talent) to focus on. But this book helps in defining what life can be aimed at, and hence provides a meaning to life.
Book Review: Riveting and insighful.
Summary: 5 Stars
What a revalation presented by Irving Stone into the life of Van Gogh. The reader is allowed entry into the depth of a man's life and soul to understand the commonly misunderstood artist. The greatest commedation goes to Van Gogh's brother, Theo, who never faltered in believing in his brother and financially supported him for so many years. For anyone to have someone love and believe in them when the rest of the world could not is the greatest gift a man can behold. A great insight into the other now famous artists of this time who were so misunderstood then.