nglofile's review against another edition
1.0
Initial disclaimer: there are some personal triggers in this story, which I fully acknowledge may have colored my experience of it.
In the historical notes, the author writes, "I wanted readers to know him as he was to better understand what he became." Though I can appreciate the intent, I cannot say that my understanding of him deepened, unless it was to have any good opinion obliterated in the face of his narcissism, lack of personal responsibility, and general brattiness. We are supposed to understand that he was motivated by this great love, yet love and devotion are not what is demonstrated. Perhaps this is not the fault of the book, but of the historical figures themselves (because, to be fair, I didn't think much of Camille either)? True, but the narrative lacked a cohesiveness as well as engagement with the reader. This was a book that seemed much longer than it actually was.
audiobook note: Christopher Cazenove has a strong voice and good expression. However, I couldn't shake the idea that he was the wrong voice for this work -- that his voice was too stalwart or noble for the self-serving characters. It was an odd reaction to have, especially as I've a wide listening experience and can appreciate different nuances offered, but it wouldn't be shaken.
In the historical notes, the author writes, "I wanted readers to know him as he was to better understand what he became." Though I can appreciate the intent, I cannot say that my understanding of him deepened, unless it was to have any good opinion obliterated in the face of his narcissism, lack of personal responsibility, and general brattiness. We are supposed to understand that he was motivated by this great love, yet love and devotion are not what is demonstrated. Perhaps this is not the fault of the book, but of the historical figures themselves (because, to be fair, I didn't think much of Camille either)? True, but the narrative lacked a cohesiveness as well as engagement with the reader. This was a book that seemed much longer than it actually was.
audiobook note: Christopher Cazenove has a strong voice and good expression. However, I couldn't shake the idea that he was the wrong voice for this work -- that his voice was too stalwart or noble for the self-serving characters. It was an odd reaction to have, especially as I've a wide listening experience and can appreciate different nuances offered, but it wouldn't be shaken.
msvenner's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, more than I expected. Much like the Paris Wife, it is the story of a famous man and the woman who loved him. This however is told from the man's perspective. It also tells the story of the impressionist movement and its famous artists. Between the look into the lives of these men, the taste of Paris in the mid to late 1800s and the gentle narrative, I found this an engrossing read.
mary412's review
2.0
I have a friend who always reads the last chapter of a book first. I wish I had done that with this book. The historical notes chapter at the end piqued my interest. I now remember hearing that Monet's living arrangements at Giverny were a bit out of the ordinary - even for a French artist, but until I read the real story, I wasn't very interested in the characters.
ohtobeophelia's review
4.0
3.75, this was super beautiful, and I really felt the struggles and sorrows of the characters through the text. I would've hoped to see more of how Claude and Camille actually fell in such deep love, because I didn't feel that so strongly as I would've liked to.
cook_memorial_public_library's review
4.0
Recommended by staffer Ellen J. Read her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/458544682
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sclaude+and+camille%3A+a+novel+of+Monet__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sclaude+and+camille%3A+a+novel+of+Monet__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
danad96's review
4.0
Interesting fictional bio of Claude Monet and his longtime girlfriend. Quick read.
bookswithmichellee's review
3.0
About a 2.75
I wanted to love this book, I really love Monet and this art and was excited to learn more about this life through this novel. However, at many points, I wanted to DNF but stuck through it because I wanted to see what happened.
I found the writing to be very inconsistent. At times, the writing seemed aimed more at a juvenile audience but at others, there were a lot of sexually explicit scenes and a lot of French swears. I did not like the randomly thrown in French sentences, it did not aide the feel of the book.
I did find this to be a general overview of this life and marriage to Camille but wish there were more details. I did learn somethings so I am happy with that.
Overall it wasn't terrible but wish there was more to it and the writing could be improved.
I wanted to love this book, I really love Monet and this art and was excited to learn more about this life through this novel. However, at many points, I wanted to DNF but stuck through it because I wanted to see what happened.
I found the writing to be very inconsistent. At times, the writing seemed aimed more at a juvenile audience but at others, there were a lot of sexually explicit scenes and a lot of French swears. I did not like the randomly thrown in French sentences, it did not aide the feel of the book.
I did find this to be a general overview of this life and marriage to Camille but wish there were more details. I did learn somethings so I am happy with that.
Overall it wasn't terrible but wish there was more to it and the writing could be improved.
lisa_jki's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lisaarnsdorf's review
3.0
This book was OK. There were pacing problems and the dialogue was very juvenile. I knew bits and pieces about Monet’s life, and it was nice to have this book to fill in the gaps. I liked that the focus was on Camille, who was a model and muse for many of the Impressionist artists. She led a rock and roll lifestyle for a high society woman of the era! Although overly dramatic, this nook did capture the extent of Monet’s lack of responsibility in all facets of his life. I wish it had continued on into his later years.