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Lust for Life (平装)
by Irving Stone
| Category:
Art, Biography |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 148.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
An amazing story that is very well-written, this book is about a profound journey of lonely but gifted soul. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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Proma Ray (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
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. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
Stone takes the reader on a fascinating journey recapping Vincent Van Gogh's life of hardships and triumphs in his biographical novel Lust for Life. Beginning in London, the author reveals Vincent's inner core as a young man of twenty-one working as a clerk for European art dealers while falling madly in love with a vivacious nineteen-year-old kindergarten teacher. Vincent's reaction to this unrequited relationship establishes a pattern of behavior and insight into his personality, which makes him more empathetic as a character. Vincent leaves London and embarks on journey in search of his "true calling" and ends up as a minister living in abject poverty in a Belgium miners' village. This situation strengthens his character and weakens his faith, but out of that grows a passion for art and drawing. The obsession begins and so does his real journey. This book is well worth reading. |
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Z. Blume (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
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 biographical 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 Ecstasy, 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. |
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G. Mainez (MSL quote), Mexico
<2007-01-04 00:00>
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. |
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Earl Hazell (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
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 throughout 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 writing, 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. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
I became interested in van Gogh after seeing an exhibition of his and other petit boulevard paintings. I wish that I had read this book beforehand. Vincent was a truly beautiful, misunderstood person, working way, way ahead of his time. Many of the questions that Vincent asks of himself are not unlike the journeys that many people are on right now; questions about a higher being, one's place in the world and true calling, and what constitutes one person as sane over another. Reading this book made me feel something much deeper than many books I have read lately. I was sad when the book was finished, because I know that it will be a tough act to follow. I was reminded of Siddhartha and books of that caliber. |
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Joshua McCullough (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
"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. |
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Kayley Galeti (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
All throughout this book Vincent Van Gogh meets many people and does everything with very little help from anyone around him. Some of the only things he accepts are the suggestions and advice from experienced painters, and the money that is sometimes sent from his father. He never gave in, he always assumed that God would never give him anything he could not handle and his poverty was just another test of strength from Him.
Even to the end of this book he never gave up. He always tried his hardest to help someone in need, no matter how it would affect him. His creativity never ended, nor did his spirit.
The unhappiness and sorrow that Vincent goes through during Lust for Life, keeps you reading. Irving Stone captured a part of Vincent Van Gogh that I never would think I could read or learn about from any other author. This is definitely a book I would recommend. It may be long, but it is excellent. To know about many of the heartening experiences in this story, you will just have to read the book. |
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1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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