Lust for Life
by Irving Stone
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Book Summary Information
Author: Irving StoneEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1984-06-01
ISBN: 0452262496
Number of pages: 512
Publisher: Plume
Book Reviews of Lust for Life
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.
Summary of Lust for Life
The book captures the atmosphere of the Paris of the Post-Impressionists and reconstructs the development of Van Gogh's art.Artists, A-Z Books
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