Very nice to find this book review of mine. I have always loved historical novels. So here is this review again along with some additional information.
CLAUDE AND CAMILLE
Now in its ninth U.S. printing and several translations. Recommended by People Magazine.
THE STORY: Journey back to the Bohemian streets of Paris 1865, a time of young love and the early beginnings of Impressionism. We are climbing five steep flights of dark steps to a small painters’ studio cluttered with art to meet the handsome young Claude Monet and his friends, his passion for painting, and the young woman who will haunt him all his life — the beautiful and mysterious Camille.
When I began reading this book, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it. I know someone recommended it–I can’t even remember who–but I was expecting a mainly fictitious book.
I was so excited when I discovered that this historical novel was well-researched and almost completely true! Not only that, the characters in the book seemed to have personality and authenticity.
The author’s writing style was superb in this book. She seemed to truly capture the characters of Claude and Camille. I actually found myself caring about these individuals. It was heartbreaking to read at times, but I sometimes had to force myself to put it down so I could go on and do things that needed to be done.
Although I have given other books high rating recently and raved about them, the level of writing in this book far supersedes the other books. I think what made this book so good was its historical accuracy. I appreciated the fact that the sex scenes were downplayed and the issue of profanity was almost nonexistent. If you enjoy historical novels, I highly recommend this book. I truly gained an appreciation for Monet in a way I never dreamed I would.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (paraphrased from her website)
Stephanie Cowell was born in New York City to a family of artists and fell in love with Mozart, Shakespeare and historical fiction at an early age. She began printing stories in a black and white school notebook at about nine years old and in her teens, she wrote several short novels which remain in a dark box. She learned something though, because by the age of twenty, she had twice won prizes in a national story contest.
She then left writing for classical singing. She sang in many operas and appeared as an international balladeer; she formed a singing ensemble, a chamber opera company, and so on. The translation of a late Mozart opera returned her to writing once more and now she mostly sing while washing the dishes!
Her first published novel was NICHOLAS COOKE: ACTOR, SOLDIER, PHYSICIAN, PRIEST, followed by two other Elizabethan-17th century novels: THE PHYSICIAN OF LONDON (American Book Award 1996) and THE PLAYERS: A NOVEL OF THE YOUNG SHAKESPEARE. In 2004, she returned to her musical background and wrote MARRYING MOZART; it has been translated into seven languages and optioned for a movie.
She has two grown sons (one in computer systems design and one a filmmaker). She was born in New York City and still lives here, a short walk away from all the impressionist paintings at the Metropolitan Museum.
FOLLOW STEPHANIE
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3 Comments
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Thanks for the review. When I do have time to read, I like for it to be worthwhile.
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I love history, so I think I would really enjoy this book.
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