Vincent’s Women: The Untold Story of the Loves of Vincent Van Gogh - Donna Russo
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was an interesting read with fiction bringing even more drama to the already dramatic and haunted life of Vincent Van Gogh.
I like how his works and paintings were woven into the literature, it gave them even more of a story to that we already know. The agony and trauma that Van Gogh went through was really emphasised and you could feel the pain as you went on this journey with a man who was so clearly struggling mentally but had to fight against some of the biggest hurdles. The inclusion of Gaughin was also clever.
For me I just didn’t gel with the writing style. I found it read like you were reading bullet points out of someone’s research notes at times rather than a story of fiction where the narrative should flow more freely and not be as stilted. I think that might just be the pressures however of telling a fictional tale of a very real person. That being said the writing style might be a joy for others and shouldn’t take away from the fact this was an entertaining read and would be a good gateway for someone to read if they want an overview to Vincent’s life and struggles.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing the chance to read this work early.

Thank you Netgalley for the free advanced reader copy of this book.

I found it interesting and a great read for artists or someone interested in van Gogh

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley, Next Chapter, and Magnum Opus for gifting me this book in exchange for review.

Donna Russo’s book, as indicated by its title is a historical narrative of Vincent Van Gogh’s life through extensive study of the letters, journals, news and magazine articles of the artist and his family, friends, and peers. Russo’s talent in her writing is not only marked by her extensive research, but her ability to transform letters into a fine illustration of life, told primarily through the relationships he maintained with women in his life. Beginning with the fractured and dysfunctional relationship with his mother, to his similar love life in his adulthood. The overarching narrative technique of this book employs Jo, his sister-in-law’s collection of letters, journals, and artworks, relaying her knowledge of Vincent’s life to her son, Van Gogh’s nephew Willem. The strong mother-son relationship that the narrative depends upon is cast against the loneliness of Vincent’s life emphasising its tragedy to the reader.

Russo’s narrative of Vincent’s life is historical fiction at its finest, using its primary sources and cross-examining them, using our narrator (Jo) as a way to provide evidence to cast doubt, highlight inconsistencies, or imply alternatives, without damaging her emotive and engaging prose. Additionally, her choice of voicing and exploring his relationships with women, which were often volatile and short-lived creates not only an affinity with Vincent, but the volatile and difficult lives of women like Sien, Margot, but also the angelic Sister Epiphany and Jo’s complex balance between caring for her brother-in-law along and her own son. Russo’s work is phenomenal in the illustration of his life, and understandably makes a mark on the heart of the reader.

For years I have stared at Vincent van Gogh's paintings that are on my placemats and never knew his story. Vicnent's Women is an eye opener into a soul that is so open and pure that the world as it is scars him in ways that most of us will never understand.
I learned more about this painter while reading this book and truly enjoyed learning about him, his family and his life. Troubled though he was, he was also prolific in his art. Never assuming that he was a great painter made him even more prolific as he tried to master his techniques over and over again.
He loved deeply, but never felt that love returned from anyone other than his brother Theo. And Theo loved him deeply as well. Taking care of a genius is difficult but Theo does it as best as he can. The bond is unbreakable.
I enjoyed this book very much and learned an a lot about a painter that I did not know very well at all. Now I will go and enjoy his paintings with a new sense of the man behind the brush.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and leave this review for you.
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3.5 stars

Thanks NetGalley and Next Chapter publisher for a great copy of this book!

I really like Vincent Van Gogh's work, that's the reason why i requested this book to look into his life and understand him more.

The story itself is nice but i have to give this rating for me because i have no idea that it has fictional elements too when i requested this book. For me, this is confusing because i don't know what's real and what's not. I start to feel like historical fiction isn't my thing

It just felt too much like fiction. I really wanted more of a historical element now that I'm trying to read more non-fiction. It just didn't feel like the book the description made it out to be.

Unfortunately the blurb mis-sells this book; I wouldn’t have requested it if I had realised that it was a work of fiction. It was a real struggle for me to get through it. I have no doubt that Donna Russo has researched her work thoroughly, but fictional accounts of actual events just aren’t my thing. I am sure that the target audience will enjoy this book - I would recommend adding the words “A Novel” to the front cover.

This was a fascinating look at the women in Vincent van Gogh's life and made him the man, and artist that he was. Historical fiction at its finest and it was hard to put down. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

This book was one of the most colorful and insightful historical fiction I have read.

I have studied Van Gogh while in University, read as much as I could find on his life as told by many historians so when I saw this book on NetGalley I thought it would be an interesting read. I was right.

Donna Russo Morin intricately winds the historical facts we know about Van Gogh, then broadens that story out with a wonderful story as told by his sister-in-law, of her observations and role she played in a more personal part of Van Gogh’s life and times. Russo based much of this story on the letters between Van Gogh and his brother Theo. She was able to use his voice to craft her addition to his history. A welcome history indeed.

Questioning history, always looking at who wrote it, always knowing that whoever wrote that history is sharing it through their lens has always brought up the question - What do we really know about Van Gogh and his life except the history that has already been told by so many others?

Morin’s look and contribution to the addition and expansion to Van Gogh’s life is a welcome and interesting read. Van Gogh is still one of the most amazing painters in history, this book is more and an interesting walk along his path.

All opinions and observations are mine alone. Thank you to Next Chapter for sharing this ARC.

Donna Russo's masterful portrayal of the mysterious aspects of Van Gogh's life and death is commendable. By delving into the artist's experiences through the lens of the women who played significant roles, Russo offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the extraordinary life of the master artist. The narrative transcends mere details, presenting a captivating story that goes beyond the deep research evident in the book.

This book pleasantly caught me off guard. It diverged from my initial expectations, but in a positive manner. The writing style resonated with me, and I thoroughly appreciated its nuanced approach.

The author's meticulous research is evident in the well-crafted narrative, bringing Van Gogh's story to life with authenticity. The book not only provides insights into the artist's madness but also prompts readers to view Van Gogh's paintings with a renewed perspective. Donna Russo's work is a testament to her dedication to unraveling the emotional depths of Vincent's life through a compelling blend of letters, forensics, and historical documents.

Overall, this book is a must-read for those intrigued by the enigmatic life of Vincent Van Gogh. Whether you're a fan of the artist or not, the engaging narrative and thoughtful approach to the subject matter make this exploration of Van Gogh's loves and madness a truly enriching experience.

I'm afraid this book wasn't for me. Given the description, I thought this would be more non-fiction than fiction - something like The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold. I couldn't get past the flowery writing style and it was a struggle to get through. I'm giving it three stars because I am very interested in Vincent VanGogh and that was the only thing that kept me reading. Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

***A big thank you to Next Chapter, Magnum Opus and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.***

"Vincent's Women" by Donna Russo delves deep into the enigmatic life of Vincent van Gogh, challenging widely accepted narratives and offering a fresh perspective through the eyes of Johanna van Gogh Bonger, Vincent's sister-in-law. By reimagining the artist's relationships and experiences, the novel explores Vincent's emotional world and the pivotal roles played by the women in his life. The extensive use of Vincent's letters to his brother Theo adds authenticity, providing readers with a glimpse into his innermost thoughts.

Johanna van Gogh Bonger guides the narrative, unraveling untold stories of Vincent's loves and their impact on his art. The book delves into themes of love, passion, and human connection, presenting a nuanced portrayal of Vincent beyond the often-repeated tales of mental health struggles. Interwoven with excerpts from the correspondence between Vincent and Theo, the novel constructs an authentic portrayal, challenging established notions about Vincent's mental state, self-inflicted ear injury, and death.

As the narrative unfolds, readers are prompted to question assumptions about Vincent's life and fate. "Vincent's Women" invites exploration of a new side of Vincent van Gogh's story, shedding light on his humanity and the profound influences of the women who crossed his path.

From tumultuous relationships with his mother to passionate entanglements with various women, including fellow artists and models, the book vividly illustrates the intersections of love, passion, and creativity in van Gogh's life. Meticulous research and rich storytelling explore the impact these women had on his art and emotional well-being.

The book challenges prevalent narratives, encouraging readers to reconsider their understanding of the artist. It raises intriguing possibilities about Vincent's search for love and its influence on his genius and perceived madness. Offering a fresh lens on van Gogh's life and art, the novel provides a compelling alternative to conventional interpretations. The author successfully humanizes van Gogh through the voices of the women who shaped him.

By correcting misunderstandings and giving the women in van Gogh’s life a voice, the novel achieves its mission. Each woman becomes vivid and familiar, deepening the reader's connection to van Gogh. The extensive research prevents the book from feeling overtly fictional, providing an interesting and immersive exploration of the renowned artist's life through the lens of those who influenced him.

We all think we know the story of the troubled genius Vincent Van Gogh. We recognise his painting style and know he cut off his own ear. We may have read some of the beautiful letters he wrote his brother Theo… This book is different. By using the frame of different women in Vincent’s life, we see a different man entirely. We see the confused and dedicated preacher, the young man falling in love, the strange choices he makes because of people he meets.

I really enjoyed the early life and felt I understood the man a little better by learning about his relationship with his landlady and her daughter and their surprise that he went down the local mine to better understand the lives of the people he was preaching to.

The book creates a well rounded, complete man rather than a caricature and would be a great gift for the person in your life who loves art and thinks he ‘knows’ Van Gogh. Reading this book I realised I actually ‘knew’ very little beyond the popular myth.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

In Vincent's Women, Donna Russo uses hundreds of the letters sent between Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo to recreate Vincent’s life in historical fiction. What I found so fascinating about this novel is the framing. The overall story is narrated by the reflections of Vincent’s sister-in-law Johanna van Gogh Bonger, but each portion of Vincent’s life is explored from the perspective of someone new. A mother; a colleague; a nurse; a love interest. Because of this, Vincent is both the central character and almost peripheral, and we get to experience a slightly different version of him in each chapter. It’s pitched as “the untold story of Vincent’s loves” and centres on people he loved or who loved him. But, crucially, not everybody did; hope, contentment, and artistic success are tempered throughout by rejection, isolation, and feelings of failure.

I also love the way Russo explores ideas of rumour and mythmaking, and how much of what we know about Vincent’s life is largely speculative. Without giving any spoilers, I was gripped by the chapter on his relationship with Paul Gaugin and audibly gasped at the interpretation of how he lost his ear. To quote his nephew, Vincent Willem: “I see now just how many loves directed his path.”

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book about a fascinating yet tortured artist.

I love it! It's compelling, and I learned a great deal about Van Gogh's life.

I was an art history major and love the work of Vincent Van Gogh - it is interesting to read a book from the perspectives of the women in his life. He holds so much mystery and myth, that it's nice to see a fresh perspective as well as some more info on his mental health and sexuality. Highly suggest this to anyone who wants to know more about Van Gogh and delve a little deeper than "the painter who cutoff his ear for his girlfriend" as my husband refers to him. Thank you NetGalley!

This book offered an interesting perspective on van Gogh's story, all through the lens of the women in his life. I found it really interesting!

The story of Vincent van Gogh told by his sister-in-law Johanna Bonger-van Gogh to her son and Vincent's godson Willem. She tells him about the life of his godfather through the eyes of the women he loved and who loved him during his lifetime. This framework works really well to get an insight into van Gogh's life and how love (or the lack thereof) shaped his art and his views on life.

It is also a nice vehicle for a few theories regarding his life. Is everything we think we know about the pivotal moments is his life true? The cutting of his ear, his sexuality, his desires, his death... The book shows how Vincent longed to be a family man and how his demons got in the way ever so often, a rather interesting perspective.

We follow him from birth till his death. The book is based on the massive amount of letters he wrote during his lifetime. It's written in a vibrant style and captures the depth of the personality of Vincent van Gogh and his interhuman relationships beautifully. Very enjoyable read.

I think the blurb set a very different expectation of the book, A very big mismatch.
Didn't enjoy it.

I loved everything about that book. This is beautifully written. Looking through the love life of Vincent is incredibly interesting. I recommend this book a lot.