Revealing the Truth About a Timeless Artist - an Editorial Review of "Vincent's Women"

Book Blurb:

Donna Russo's 'Vincent's Women' is the untold story of Vincent's loves: how they shaped his life, his art, and his death. It writes against the ‘myths,’ exploring the possibility that none of them are true. It is the only novel to bring into question his sexuality, how he lost his ear, who he lost it for, and how he might have died, all through the eyes of a woman. We learn of Her; we learn all of it through Her.

The story is guided by Johanna van Gogh Bonger, Vincent's sister-in-law, as she decides to reveal the truth about Vincent to her son. We are then taken on a journey through Vincent's life, each section bringing a pivotal moment of Vincent's life alive while showing us the part she played in bringing it about. Between each woman, our guide, Johanna, gives us the transitional periods, right up to his death, which is now in question.

Hundreds of the nearly thousand letters between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo, now considered one of the greatest documents of the human experience, were used to help construct this novel, its narrative, and dialogue, especially the dialogue of Vincent himself.

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most well-known artists of all time. The world knows of his madness, traumas, and suicide. But what if all that we know isn’t true? What if this knowledge is based on rumors and nothing more? What if his true story is vastly different when based on factual material and forensic information? What if the truth of Vincent’s life—his madness and his genius—is defined by his never-ending search for love?

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/5ghiPq

Author Bio:

Donna Russo is the bestselling author of historical fiction, women’s fiction, and fantasy including the international bestselling Novels of Newport: Gilded Summers and Gilded Dreams as well as her latest release, Vincent’s Women. Her critically acclaimed work has been praised with multiple awards and has received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Additionally, Donna worked as a model and actor since the age of seventeen, working on such projects as Martin Scorsese’s The Departed and Showtime’s Brotherhood. Donna is also an award-winning screenwriter, ghostwriter, and painter. She holds two degrees from the University of Rhode Island. Her two sons—Devon, an opera singer; and Dylan, a chef—will always be her greatest works.

Editorial Review:

Yes, it’s dark. Yes, it canvasses difficult subjects – and the magnificence of art. But it’s a book about real life, about Vincent Van Gogh, about the myths, the trauma, the talent and the tragedy. This is not a white picket-fence story; it’s visceral and colourful and draws the reader in. What is the truth of this legendary artist’s life, and who should tell it? Perhaps the women who knew him best in different aspects of his life? After reading “Vincent’s Women”, the latter question can be answered with a resounding “yes”.

“There is the story of your uncle, of Vincent van Gogh, the story that the world has taken as truth.”

Willem has always worshipped the uncle—the man he was named for—that he knows only from my memories. The ones I’ve shown him.

“They say he went mad because of a certain kind of disease.” I try not to blush. I lose the battle. “It is not what caused his madness. They say he cut off his ear for a prostitute. He did not cut it off for her. It may be that he did not cut it off himself.

“And they say he killed himself.” I bang my moist hand on the fabric between us. “He … did … not.”

The narrative starts with compelling scenes focusing on motherhood, on loss. There are continuing discussions between mother and child, with explanations and hints and angst. These discussions are used as a narrative device. The author has used historical family letters as a resource, together with other extensive research, and the detail is evident throughout this gripping historical novel. While of course art lovers will revel in this storyline, so too will anyone who enjoys reflecting on the vagaries of life and the imperfection of human relationships. There are several points in the book where the author’s observations about human nature paint a vivid picture of personality (or perception): “She was a beautiful girl. Though perhaps not as beautiful as she thought. No matter. She had a man, if he ever came back, and she had someone to flirt with.”

Russo’s story revolves around family, and around women. The maternal and family scenes will resonate with many; but so too will the musings of Eugenie, who became the focus of Vincent’s affections. It is the different personalities of “Vincent’s Women” that add to the strength of the narrative. The reader is seeing the same man through different lenses, and who among us can say that we are the same person, to everyone we meet?

“Willem turns his face, one bursting with the handsomeness of early adulthood, to me. “Just before Oma died, I remember asking her why none of Uncle’s paintings hung on her walls.”

“And?” I prod again. He needs it. I feel at fault for his dazed sadness. I must help him find his way through it.

“She told me she didn’t like them.” Willem flops back on the settee, an incredulous chuckle rumbling in his broad chest. “She told me she threw most of them away. Did she?”

The question is like a well-aimed arrow. I do not try to dodge it.”

“Vincent’s Women” is well-written, with a good balance between backstory, dialogue, and description. The sections that are written in first-person are expertly done, portraying a real sense of the narrator’s thoughts and feelings without being at all overdone. It is easy for the reader to switch between the different aspects of Vincent’s life, to see him as the son, the lover, the family member, the unsuccessful suitor, the artist. So often, with these types of narrative structures, the reader is reluctant to leave one timeline or situation and move to read of another that is not as absorbing. That is not the case with Russo’s writing style. Each participant in Vincent’s life is treated with equal thoroughness and is so much more than a sketch. Within each segment of the book we see their perspectives and personalities, and can immediately understand the context of their relationship with Vincent. In writing such a book it would no doubt be tempting to focus only on Vincent’s art and his incredible talent. Instead the reader becomes fully immersed in his life, concerns and personal struggles. The result is not only admiration of his artistic achievements but also considerable sympathy for him as a person.

A reader with a detailed knowledge of Vincent Van Gogh would likely start from a stronger position of understanding the narrative. Perhaps that is a disadvantage where the storyline is based on such a well-known historical figure, because the book cannot follow the character arc that might be expected if the characters were fictional.  There is also a sense at times that the book is a series of vignettes of Vincent Van Gogh’s life, rather than a book that employs the traditional overarching plotline approach to storytelling. Even so, “Vincent’s Women” will appeal to a wider audience due to the cleverness of Russo’s writing, and her perceptiveness in describing human relationships, whether familial or romantic. The narrative does not shy away from trauma, including medical details and references to personal despair, loss and illness. That approach only adds to the authenticity of this haunting insight into the likely truth of the life of Vincent Van Gogh. Oh, what a talent, to be lost so soon. If only…

*****

"Vincent’s Women" by Donna Russo receives 4 ½ stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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