virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
2.0
This is the story of Camille Claudel, a real-life sculptor and Rodin's lover. I though it was a historical fiction, but the level of drama then led me to believe it was simply fiction. I did some research on the subject, and it turns out Camille suffered from schizophrenia (it really is historical fiction. with a lot of bodice-ripping and drama). Unfortunately, I didn't think Camille's mental health was handled well in the book, and really just made Camille look crazy. This book could have been so much more.
mrs_george's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy.
I first learned of Camille Claudel in 2006 when my English professor had a guest speaker do a presentation on her and Rodin. I'm still really unsure how that related to our English lesson but I was hooked. Her art just spoke to me. I had a blog at the time and I wrote a huge post on their love affair, Camille's mental illness and of course, the art. I wrote how I wanted to learn more about the pair but unfortunately it's taken me this long. As soon as I saw this on Netgalley, I requested it and crossed my fingers I would snag a copy. It helped fill the gaps of the bare bones story I knew. At first I was worried that the author made Camille so unlikeable but it just showed how early her mental illness had started. A great story that has led me to want to know more...and kick myself for being in Paris TWICE and not visiting the Rodin museum. I've already let my family know, that we will be going on our next trip.
I first learned of Camille Claudel in 2006 when my English professor had a guest speaker do a presentation on her and Rodin. I'm still really unsure how that related to our English lesson but I was hooked. Her art just spoke to me. I had a blog at the time and I wrote a huge post on their love affair, Camille's mental illness and of course, the art. I wrote how I wanted to learn more about the pair but unfortunately it's taken me this long. As soon as I saw this on Netgalley, I requested it and crossed my fingers I would snag a copy. It helped fill the gaps of the bare bones story I knew. At first I was worried that the author made Camille so unlikeable but it just showed how early her mental illness had started. A great story that has led me to want to know more...and kick myself for being in Paris TWICE and not visiting the Rodin museum. I've already let my family know, that we will be going on our next trip.
bkish's review against another edition
3.0
I am probably returning this book to our San Francisco library after reading a few chapters. Why? It is very interesting and there is a lot of dialogue around Camille Claudel and I find it contrived. I like what she says and of course we dont know if she said that. So I am reading something that is too for me fictional.
I wish someone could turn back time and create a tale of her rejecting Rodin. Would she then have been institutionalized and not able to continue as a sculptress?
Its written okay yet not much depth
Well I did read this and it is okay. It is all fiction though and we dont know what happened with Camille Claudel and Rodin. We do know she sculpted worked with him was his lover and she was institutionalized for most of her life by her brother.
to be continued...
I wish someone could turn back time and create a tale of her rejecting Rodin. Would she then have been institutionalized and not able to continue as a sculptress?
Its written okay yet not much depth
Well I did read this and it is okay. It is all fiction though and we dont know what happened with Camille Claudel and Rodin. We do know she sculpted worked with him was his lover and she was institutionalized for most of her life by her brother.
to be continued...
misses_london's review against another edition
4.0
I knew nothing about Camille Claudel before reading this novel. Likewise, I didn't know who Auguste Rodin was. But the summary of the book looked interesting, and I was fortunate enough to receive the novel in exchange for a fair review. I am so pleased I did.
The author brings the historical characters to life and very convincingly draws the reader into the troubled mind of Camille Claudel, a French artist from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and that of her famous tutor. I've since read other biographical accounts of her life and understand that there is/was no clear consensus on the severity of her mental state. We'll never know at this point, but Heather Webb's version is written very convincingly. I particularly liked the way the author depicts its slow development.
I love it when a book inspires me to research further to learn more about the subject matter as I have done after finishing "Rodin's Lover". Webb's first book is straight away being added to my "to read" list.
I received this book as a Library Thing Early Reviewer, but that did not influence my review.
The author brings the historical characters to life and very convincingly draws the reader into the troubled mind of Camille Claudel, a French artist from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and that of her famous tutor. I've since read other biographical accounts of her life and understand that there is/was no clear consensus on the severity of her mental state. We'll never know at this point, but Heather Webb's version is written very convincingly. I particularly liked the way the author depicts its slow development.
I love it when a book inspires me to research further to learn more about the subject matter as I have done after finishing "Rodin's Lover". Webb's first book is straight away being added to my "to read" list.
I received this book as a Library Thing Early Reviewer, but that did not influence my review.
eclectictales's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this novel as part of a book blog tour that I participated in. This review in its entirety was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2015/01/19/review-rodins-lover-excerpt-giveaway/
I was drawn to the character of Camille and the story from the first page. The first chaper really set up everything nicely with regards to Camille’s life: her passion for art and to create, her lack of interest in social conventions, her situation with her mother. It’s an intense uphill battle for Camille: she has the talent and the passion, but in a profession dominated by men and a society dictated by certain social conventions, she really has to prove herself. Which in part makes the later tragedy all the more painful to read.
The focus on the creative process, the art, was wonderful to read and a little reminiscent of Robin Oliveira’s I Always Loved You. It’s great to read a historical fiction title focusing on sculptors for a change as it’s obviously a different medium but any creative person can relate to some of the general processes involved in the creation process.
The other characters who populate the novel were interesting in their own way and added to Camille’s story. I enjoyed all of the character interactions, and the constant push-pull relationship between Rodin and Camille was just mesmerising to read. You can tell they love each other and are just completely consumed by the other, but there’s just so many things going on in their relationship–their love, their passion, their work, their reputations, gender politics–it’s just so complex one wonders if it could ever truly work out.
Rodin’s Lover is a mesmerising historical fiction title. It’s wonderfully well-written and I cared for all of the characters. I highyly recommend this novel if you’re a reader of historical fiction, like novels with an independent and decisive female character, and have an interest in art, sculptures, and the Belle Epoque period.
I was drawn to the character of Camille and the story from the first page. The first chaper really set up everything nicely with regards to Camille’s life: her passion for art and to create, her lack of interest in social conventions, her situation with her mother. It’s an intense uphill battle for Camille: she has the talent and the passion, but in a profession dominated by men and a society dictated by certain social conventions, she really has to prove herself. Which in part makes the later tragedy all the more painful to read.
The focus on the creative process, the art, was wonderful to read and a little reminiscent of Robin Oliveira’s I Always Loved You. It’s great to read a historical fiction title focusing on sculptors for a change as it’s obviously a different medium but any creative person can relate to some of the general processes involved in the creation process.
The other characters who populate the novel were interesting in their own way and added to Camille’s story. I enjoyed all of the character interactions, and the constant push-pull relationship between Rodin and Camille was just mesmerising to read. You can tell they love each other and are just completely consumed by the other, but there’s just so many things going on in their relationship–their love, their passion, their work, their reputations, gender politics–it’s just so complex one wonders if it could ever truly work out.
Rodin’s Lover is a mesmerising historical fiction title. It’s wonderfully well-written and I cared for all of the characters. I highyly recommend this novel if you’re a reader of historical fiction, like novels with an independent and decisive female character, and have an interest in art, sculptures, and the Belle Epoque period.
guinness74's review against another edition
5.0
Oh so heartbreaking! I knew the story and yet, I couldnt put the book down. A tale of passion and loyalty, of suffering and art, of love and loss. Claudel's life is simply one of devastation, both personally and professionally. Having seen her work alongside Rodin's in the Hotel Birôn in Paris, I cant begin to describe how much the art world lost when Camille Claudel was gone from it.
sarahelem's review against another edition
This was similar to other books I've read but didn't really hold me.
katejeminhizer's review against another edition
5.0
I had not really studied these two artists enough to have formed an opinion about how their story should be told. With that being said I am in awe of the wave of emotions that I experienced in reading this book. I could feel their passion towards each other and their art. I felt myself falling just as Camille did as her world shattered. I embraced the confidence that Camille had in believing she could define herself not only as an artist but as a woman pushing the boundaries of acceptance. An extremely enjoyable read and well worth the wait!!
tanzimerritt's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for a novelization of a famous life and, overall, enjoyed this book. Claudel, suffering from a mental illness (likely schizophrenia,) was probably a somewhat unlikeable person, and that comes across in the book. She's passionate about her art and about Rodin, but she's prickly, rude, and sometimes mean to those who care for her the most. But as her illness develops and becomes more obvious she becomes a more sympathetic character, and Webb does a good job dealing with Claudel's mental illness - showing her struggling with it, knowing in moments of clarity that something is wrong but having no idea what's happening or what to do, and gradually having fewer moments of lucidity. It's a more realistic portrait of mental illness than in many stories.
I would have liked to see a little less of Rodin's viewpoint, but his perspective works as a counterpoint to Claudel's perspective and shows how her illness progresses from the outside. I'm not sure that so much detail about Rodin's struggles in the art world was necessary to Claudel's story, but in the end, this is really a book about them both.
I would have liked to see a little less of Rodin's viewpoint, but his perspective works as a counterpoint to Claudel's perspective and shows how her illness progresses from the outside. I'm not sure that so much detail about Rodin's struggles in the art world was necessary to Claudel's story, but in the end, this is really a book about them both.
el1zabe4h's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this story! And I have another author to add to my list of favorites. There is so much depth to Ms. Webb's historical fiction you feel as though you have lived it.