Friday, August 19, 2016

New Book Review -- Rodin's Lover



It's celebration time again--time for the Celebrate the Small Things blog hop, co-hosted by Lexa Cain at: Lexa Cain,  L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge , and Tonja Drecker @ Tidbits Blog. (You can go to any of these sites to add your name to the links, if you want to participate. I recommend it, because it's always fun to see positive news that others are celebrating, and to share your own as well. )

Today I'm celebrating the discovery of another fabulous read, a novel about Rodin, the French sculptor, and his tempestuous relationship with Camille Claude, his muse and the love of his life.

Rodin's Lover is set in Belle Epoque Paris -- the Paris of the French Impressionist painters. The author, Heather Webb, captures the era beautifully: cobblestone streets, cafés, ateliers (artists' studios), gaslit street lamps and the new electrical lights, church spires, horse-drawn carriages, the elite art critiques who held artists' destinies in their hands. To that mix, Webb brings the texture and reality of sculpting in clay, chiseling and polishing marble, and the thrill of the artist coaxing life out of stone and mud and creating something to last beyond his or her own life. 

The story itself is heart-breaking. The author thoroughly researched the lives of Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel. Camille began studying with the famous sculptor in her late teens, but it soon became evident her genius was on a par with his own. As their relationship evolved, and August trusted her artistic judgement, they became peers critiquing each other's work. Powerfully attracted to each other, it was inevitable that they would become lovers.

In French society, young girls were expected to get married, not have careers. Camille's mother wanted nothing better than to find a suitable suitor for her (though she was a cold and critical mother in every other respect). Camille was strong-willed and independent, determined to become famous and not let herself be broken. She was also suspicious and obsessive. Auguste still lived (unmarried) with the mother of his son and didn't feel he could abandon her. He, too, was strong-willed and obsessive. They were the perfect mix for an affair filled with passion and despair, and the author makes you ache for these two star-crossed artists from the first page until the last.

You can find out more about the book and the author HERE. She's a historical fiction writer and has written another book I would like to get -- Becoming Josephine

BTW: Please go next door to my Fourth Wish blog  to read my review of Mark Noce's debut historical novel that will be published next week -- Between Two Fires It's both historical romance and a mystery set in Celtic Britain in the year AD 597. A really gripping read.

And next week I'll be back to report on four more stories from Beyond Watson, so please come back then.




Meanwhile, do you have a favorite period of history you like to read about? Are you a fan of historical fiction? Or are mysteries more your cup of tea? And what are you celebrating this week? Please share.

22 comments:

Tonja Drecker said...

Sounds like an interesting read. Congrats on finding it!

Unknown said...

I'm always so impressed by historical writers. It takes so much research and hard work. This sounds like a great book! Have a lovely weekend!

Kate Larkindale said...

Sounds like a great read! We had a teacher at a school I went to once who we all called Rodin behind his back because he kind of looked like a Rodin sculpture. One day, we were on a field trip and he was sitting in a pose like The Thinker and he commented that he looked like a Rodin sculpture… You better believe was all cracked up.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi T. It was purely by accident, browsing in a bookstore (one of my favorite activities). I love anything to do with the French Impressionists and their era, and this was a real find.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks. You have a good week-end, too. I agree, historical writers accomplish so much more than just the story. They have to be "world builders" as much as fantasy writers, and they have to do a lot of research to get it right. In this book, I really felt I was in Belle Epoque Paris.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks for stopping by, Kate. That's funny. My husband and I actually went to Rodin's house in Paris -- it's been turned into a museum and has tons of his sculptures displayed inside and out in the garden. The statues were remarkable. And the were some by Camille Claudel as well, although we didn't know who she was at the time.

Tamara Narayan said...

This book sounds right up my alley and remind me a little of The Girl With The Pearl Earring. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Anonymous said...

I do read historicals once in a while, and this sounds like a fascinating and well-researched story. I'll have to look it up. Have a great week!

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Tamara, I read The Girl With The Pearl Earring, an enjoyed it so much. If you like that, I'm sure you will like this.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Lori, yes it was very well researched, but the research never got in the way of the story. I think you'll enjoy it. Hope you also have a great week.

Rosi said...

This sounds absolutely amazing. Thanks for telling me about it. I will definitely be checking it out.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Rosi, I think you would really enjoy this book. The story is great and the writing is superb!

Julia Thorley said...

I don't read much historical stuff, but you make this book sound very tempting.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks for the visit, Julia. I've like historical fiction for a long time, but I like to read a lot of different genres: mystery, fantasy, historical fiction. Sometimes it's that one book that pulls you into a genre. This might be the book. Have a nice week.

Vicki Lane said...

This sounds intriguing.

Chrys Fey said...

I don;t read historical fiction often, but this definitely sounds like one I'd enjoy. Thanks for sharing!

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Vicki. If you like historical fiction, I think you would like this.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Chrys. The book has everything: history, romance, and the writing shimmers.

Sandra Cox said...

This sounds like a very intense read.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Wow, I like that, Sandra: Intense. Actually it was. I couldn't put it down. I just had to read on and on -- and I love a book like that. I'll probably read it again.

cleemckenzie said...

This is such a beautiful era. The manners, the style and elegance make for a perfect setting. And Rodin's Lover? What's not to like about this book? Thanks, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Lee. Yes, it was an evocative era for sure, and the Impressionist painters captured it so beautifully in their art. This book was a step into that time.