I’m not sure who this book is for. The drawing and writing level would lead me to believe this is a middle grade graphic bio, but the content within both greatly dissuades me from that notion. The art didn’t captivate me, which I think is a greater offense if you decide to make a graphic biography for an artist. The writing itself felt very superficial.

Writing from the point of view of Vincent’s sister-in-law is an interesting choice but created one fatal flaw: romanticizing his toxic behavior. I love Vincent Van Gogh’s work and have since I was a child, but he was someone who struggled with mental health, did not get the support he needed, and there were consequences for that. You can’t dismiss him stalking a woman he said he was in love with as “passion.”

I would absolutely love to see a more detailed graphic biography of Vincent Van Gogh with more appropriate artwork to the subject matter and a realistic take on his actions.

This was an interesting take on Vincent Van Gogh's life and death. Told from the perspective of Vincent's sister-in-law, Jo, it explains Vincent's struggles in life and Jo's struggles to achieve Theo and Vincent's goals for Vincent's work. Touching and heartbreaking, the images lend to a more evocative and emotional story.

This short biography of Vincent Van Gogh is told from the POV of his sister-in-law Jo. I wasn’t really aware until now what a pivotal role she played in preserving Van Gogh’s paintings and willing his legacy into being. The illustrations captured the spirit of Van Gogh’s struggle and his artwork while still maintaining their originality.

I think I first encountered the work of Vincent Van Gogh when my parents took me and my sister on yearly trips to Chicago, always visiting the Chicago Art Institute. My mother's favorite area was the museum's great Impressionist works, where I would see Van Gogh's paintings--his angular bedroom, his self portraits, his fields and flowers and so on. Then in high school there was Don McLean's"Vincent": "I could have loved you, Vincent; this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you."

I also in high school read Irving Stone's popular Lust for Life about him and over the years read much about him, many biographies; I have collections of his art work, and as I still live in the Chicago area I go there from time to time. When I was in Amsterdam in the seventies I visited the Van Gogh museum for the first time. I was, as millions have been, intrigued, fascinated by his story of genius and madness. At one time I read a selection of the Theo-Vincent letters.

So I wasn't expecting to learn anything new here, just dipping into a familiar story. Simon Elliot draws on works he cites in the appendix, including a biography of Jo, Vincent's loving brother Theo's wife, an unassuming English teacher who became forever known to and thanked by the art world for promoting Vincent's art work in Europe and the US. The story is told from her perspective, showing us the familiar aspects of his life--his massive production in spite of his life being cut short by suicide and impeded by psychiatric struggles, religious obsession, crazy fixations on various women, connections to other artists, and especially, his close relationship to Theo. Theo also died young, heartbroken about his brother's death,. They named their son Vincent, who joined his mother in promoting his uncle's artwork everywhere.

This is not a graphic novel, but a beautifully illustrated biography, straightforward story, great painting of a painter's life.

Don McLean's "Vincent":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wrNF...

Thanks for the early look from artist and author Simon Elliot (nice work, man!), the publisher Frances Lincoln/Quarto and Net Galley. The book's official pub date is August 4, 2024.

This book made me emotional. I had been to Van goghs exhibition in London but I did not know about his life so closely. The authentic storyline and Vincent’s characteristics are so well portrayed by his sister in law. I really want to go to the museum now. Excellent graphic novel I have read recently. All the artwork was so vibrant and well represented. I think it’s a very well compiled book.

Vincent: A Graphic Biography is a beautifully illustrated in depth telling of the life and death of Vincent Van Gogh. The book was filled with a ton of great information that gave a lot of insight into the pain and mental anguish that Vincent endured. The illustrations were perfect and really helped to tell the story in a meaningful way!

I really enjoyed this graphic biography! As a longtime fan of Vincent Van Gogh's work, I went into this with fairy high expectations. I think I expected the artwork to mirror the work of Vincent Van Gogh's style a little bit more, so I was initially a smidge disappointed. By the time I finished this though, the artwork had grown on me.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was not really great, but it was fairly informative and narrated from a unique perspective. There was plenty of text, which was a bit dry, but also taught me a lot about Van Gogh's life. I thought that the graphic style was interesting, but not really outstanding in any specific way. The colours were also rather too strong on some pages.

Firstly, a huge thank you to the publisher, the author, Simon Elliott, and NetGalley for the privilege of being able to read a digital copy of this beautiful graphic novel about Vincent Van Gogh, "Vincent: A Graphic Biography." I will also be posting my review to Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I thought the story revealed so many new things I had not known about Van Gogh (I did not know too much about his bio before reading) and art of the time in general. His personal story and mental health struggles are so important, and I'm sorry it took so long for me to learn more about the artist himself.

I thought the art was an incredible tribute to Van Gogh, and there were so many beautiful illustrations that drew you into his story. I think making it into a graphic biography was a very fitting medium for this story, and I'm glad that's how it was made. I have to say that I was a bit confused about the intended age target, as some of the writing felt a bit targeted towards middle grades but included topics that would be more appropriate for high school or older. Overall, I was impressed and learned a lot. I would look into more by this author and for more graphic bios in general. I might even buy a few physical copies of bios focused on people I was particularly a fan of to add to my collection, especially if the cover is as beautiful as this one.

Thanks to the publisher Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion/ Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest book review.

An extremely detailed and beautifully illustrated biography of the artist Vincent Van Gogh told from the perspective of his sister-in-law Jo van Gogh-Bonger. The illustrations in the graphic novel imitate very well Gogh’s real paintings. I didn’t realise before reading this that it was only due to the work of his sister-in-law that he garnered the worldwide recognition that he so deserved. I obviously knew something of his troubled life but did not know the depth of the problems he experienced before reading this.

I really enjoyed reading a biography in this graphic novel format, it was such a quick engrossing read.

I would absolutely recommend this book to people interested in art and history.

While this is a comprehensive biography, for a graphic novel the art could use some work. In many ways the story would've been more compelling had it been focused more on Jo.

As an avid fan of art history and historical figures in art. This biography of the iconic artist Vincent van Gogh in graphic novel format offers an intimate and captivating look into his life. Although, I found Elliott's artwork very simplistic and scrapbook like, it beautifully complemented the narrative. It captured both the vibrant colors and emotional depth mimicking van Gogh's work and life. This graphic novel explores van Gogh's struggles with mental health, his tumultuous relationships, and his unyielding passion for art. The narrative was both informative and empathetic, making the artist’s journey accessible and engaging for all readers. Elliott created a compelling tribute to van Gogh’s genius and challenges, making it a must-read for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Simon Elliott and the Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion | Frances Lincoln for a digital copy of the graphic novel #VincentAGraphicBiography in exchange for my honest opinion.

This biography is like no other. We read of Vincent van Gogh’s life story told by his sister-in-law Jo, as if she were alive today. She passed away in 1925. Jo was married to Vincent’s younger brother Theo. Together Theo and Jo provided Vincent with their utmost support throughout his life, monetarily and mentally. Today Vincent is known for his mental health issues made infamous with his self-painting with his ear cut off. However, his mental issues seemed to haunt him starting at a young age, including obsessive and love-crazed behavior towards woman which bordered on stalking conduct, and culminates in his self-induced death. The author takes us through Vincent’s journey through the eyes of Jo van Gogh starting with the family tree and all the way through into the 20th Century where she is intent on showcasing Vincent’s legacy in Europe and the United States through his art and letters written to Theo and Jo. It makes for a very interesting story in text and illustrations providing intricate details that we never knew about Vincent and his family.

I genuinely appreciated this biography in a format that felt true to the artist, imagery. I think this author was on to something when deciding on this medium.

What a beautifully colorful story. Van Gogh unlike you’re ever seen him before.

I have to say as someone who grew up and still is, pretty obsessed with Vincent Van Gogh, partially because he is an incredible artist but also because of that one episode of Dr. Who. YOU KNOW THE ONE.

I think the Author/Artist did a wonderful job of fully fleshing out the Van Gogh’s story in a way I haven’t a seen before while still keeping it entertaining.

I lived for all of the art in this books, truly unique and a gift to see! 4.5⭐️

Thank you to Simon Elliott for this wonderful work of art.

Big thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion, and NetGalley for my free copy of “Vincent: A Graphic Biography”

I received this advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

ARC TOUR: Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

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Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most talented misunderstood artist of this time. This graphic biography is a great and easy introduction for readers who aren’t familiar with Vincent. I loved the POV was Theo’s wife who was his sister in law. This was a unique way to tell Vincent’s story from a third party observer. This also allowed this biography to go beyond his life and show a glimpse of the impact of his work.

I also appreciated that Elliott really focused in on Theo and Vincent’s relationship. When we talk about Vincent we tend to forget to talk about this relationship that the brothers had. This relationship was extremely important to both Vincent and Theo.

I am a big fan of Vincent’s art and I had a blast visiting the Van Gogh Museum when I was in Amsterdam. I highly recommend this book for readers who want to get to know Vincent.

Get this book on August 12, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group- White Lion and Frances Lincoln for sending me this ebook for review consideration.

Gorgeous book and I found this fascinating to learn more about Vincent’s life and hardships, as well as his brother Theo, told from Theo’s wife’s perspective. I may need to look into the letters and see if I can read them somewhere

Vincent Van Gogh’s life and works are such a rich topic for a graphic novel but this one falls a bit flat. The layout seems more like a picture book than a graphic novel, so it seems juvenile; the story of his brother’s widow bringing his works to the public eye is interesting, but using her as a narrator replete with purple prose is laying it on too thick.

Giving three stars because the art, particularly recreations of Van Gogh’s works, are beautifully done.

I’ve never been that interested in Vincent van Gogh’s life, but I’ve seen enough of his paintings to know who he was and I’m sure we all know about the ear incident. I chose this book because it was a graphic novel and a short read. I’m not going to lie, I was intrigued by his story; this was a man who was extremely depressed, feeling the weight on his shoulders all his life and dying without ever knowing his work would make him famous. This was a nice way to tell his story, sticking to basic facts about his life and torments, keeping me glued to each page.

Super interesting insight into the life of Van Gogh. I knew a little about his life going into it, but I learned a lot from it. The grahic design in the book is interesting and engaging. It at times lends itself well to the way Van Gogh painted and it was an interesting POV as well - seeing his life from the perspective of his sister-in-law who loved him very much and fought to have people pay attention to his art post-mortum. I'd recommned