“Sometimes he dreamt he held her; that he would turn in bed and she would be there. But she was gone and he was old. Nearly seventy. Only cool paint met his fingers. “Ma trEs chEre . . .” Darkness started to fall, dimming the paintings. He felt the crumpled letter in his pocket. “I loved you so,” he said. “I never would have had it turn out as it did. You were with all of us when we began, you … gave us courage. These gardens at Giverny are for you but I’m old and you’re forever young and will never see them. . . .” ”
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In the mid-nineteenth century, a young man named Claude Monet decided that he would rather endure a difficult life painting landscapes than take over his father’s nautical supplies business in a French seaside town. Against his father’s will, and with nothing but a dream and an insatiable urge to create a new style of art that repudiated the Classical Realism of the time, he set off for Paris.
But once there he is confronted with obstacles: an art world that refused to validate his style, extreme poverty, and a war that led him away from his home and friends. But there were bright spots as well: his deep, enduring friendships with men named Renoir, CEzanne, Pissarro, Manet – a group that together would come to be known as the Impressionists, and that supported each other through the difficult years. But even more illuminating was his lifelong love, Camille Doncieux, a beautiful, upper-class Parisian girl who threw away her privileged life to be by the side of the defiant painter and embrace the lively Bohemian life of their time.
His muse, his best friend, his passionate lover, and the mother to his two children, Camille stayed with Monet–and believed in his work–even as they lived in wretched rooms, were sometimes kicked out of those, and often suffered the indignities of destitution. She comforted him during his frequent emotional torments, even when he would leave her for long periods to go off on his own to paint in the countryside.
But Camille had her own demons – secrets that Monet could never penetrate, including one that when eventually revealed would pain him so deeply that he would never fully recover from its impact. For though Camille never once stopped loving the painter with her entire being, she was not immune to the loneliness that often came with being his partner.
A vividly-rendered portrait of both the rise of Impressionism and of the artist at the center of the movement, “Claude and Camille” is above all a love story of the highest romantic order.
“From the Hardcover edition.”
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I loved reading about the “real” Claude Monet. It’s had to remember that he was a struggling artist. His relationship with Camille was complicated and there isn’t much known about her.
I enjoy Hustorical fiction as it relates factual information, with embellishment. In this case we learn of the very real Claude Monet and his life as an Impressionist painter and his long time live Camille. As a Docent for my local Art museum it was enjoyable reading about Monet, Renoir, Bazille, and other famous artists of the time. The story wasn’t particularly happy, but involving. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys Art, historical fiction or even a light romance.
Interesting! Well written!
I loved learning more about Monet and his wife, Camille. Very interesting and wonderfully written.
My love of Monet’s art was deepened knowing his struggles, his love, friendships, and losses. Beautifully written with characters that evoke an emotional connection. I will never view his art again in quite the same way.
This book is a must read. Fantastic!!!!
I like historical fiction especially about famous people
Interesting story based on life of Claude Monet and his family and friends. I like reading about artists and their lives and process.
I am very interested in art and artists, so found this book about Claude Monet and his wife very interesting. He was such a giant of the Impressionist Period that one tends to put him on a pedestal. For the beautiful paintings that he made and way he helped change and modernize art, he deserves the praise. For his private life, not so much.
Different and interesting but not one of my favorites. Probably won’t recommend to book club