Thursday, November 24, 2011

A GOOD BOOK

If you like Vincent Van Gogh and his life story (or what we know of it), then you'll enjoy curling up with this good book:



Carol Wallace has given us an interesting and lively fictionalized account of Vincent, as told by his psychiatrist, Dr. Gachet.  I think we learn more about Dr. Gachet than we do about Vincent, but all the main players are here and Ms. Wallace has given us an interesting twist to the ending (which we all know will happen even as we begin reading the first pages).







There is a new book out about Vincent and the authors' theories of how he really died and I may get that one to read this winter. 
http://www.amazon.com/Van-Gogh-Life-Steven-Naifeh/dp/0375507485/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322150124&sr=1-1


If you want to skip the stories and just browse through some of his many paintings, then check out this site, sit back and enjoy.  Can you imagine the person who painted these works was tormented and slightly deranged?  So much life and light and beauty.  And a life cut short (he was only 37 when he...died...committed suicide...was murdered).
http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=98&lang=en


And Happy Thanksgiving to all those Americans out there, whether you are home in the U.S. or living abroad.  I remember having a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends (all ex-pats) when living in Wales many many years ago.  We had turkey and the whole shebang - even pumpkin pie (which my Welsh friends thought was a disgusting concoction to even think about).

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

A while back...about a year ago, now...I checked out a book on Van Gogh and was just entranced. I think many artists are so soulful...when you think in pictures, it can get overwhelming. He was amazing and I've actually come to appreciate his work which I once thought was childish. Now I think it is beautiful!

RH Carpenter said...

I've always been drawn to his work and his life story - so sad, but he was truly obsessed with creating art (so many paintings and drawings in just 10 years!). I think I'll ask for the new book for Christmas :)

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

I remember my aunt once telling me she didn't like Van Gogh's work. What???? I was shocked. I love his work.

thanks for the links, Rhonda. You are always a font of information. :)

RH Carpenter said...

Carol, I've always been fascinated by his work as much as his life but I understand he's not for everyone (especially those who don't like to see the brushstrokes in oil paintings).