Lust for Life

A magnificent diatribe of Vincent Van Gogh's life. Completed in 1934, before WWII. The Author attests to its authenticity: "The reader may have asked himself, 'How much of this story is true?' The dialogue had to be reimagined.... Aside from these technical liberties, the book is entirely true" (Page 489). If not for his devout younger brother Theo, Vincent could not have pursued his avant-garde artistic passion, as Theo loyally supported him for years while Vincent refined his craft. Unlucky with women, love, and, romance, Vincent was deeply transformed by his rejections which, ultimately, impacted his paintings. A stupendous illuminating revelation concerning Vincent's agonizing challenges, and, the eventual heartbreaking devolution of insanity. As Vincent astutely noted: "Well, we're all cripples in one way or another"(Page 302). Also, highly recommend the Author's other profound publication entitled "The Agony And The Ecstasy."

Everyone has read the tabloid sensational snippets. This chronological biography puts what you think you know about the intense Van Gogh and puts all in the context of a life lived deeply and fully in a manner so true and heartfelt-headlines didn’t even scratch the surface of his devotional commitment to living fully everyday

"Lust for Life" is a very good debut novel authored by Irving Stone. It closely follows the life of Vincent van Gogh. There is much dialogue that has to have been imagined. There is also a fairly strange delusional episode that the author states is fictionalized. However the story is also faithful to the life of Vincent van Gogh and as such is a semi fictional biography in the same context as a historical novel. The language in the novel is very readable and consistent with the norms of American Society in 1934 and as such there is no vulgar language. There are times that the story moves along somewhat slowly but is overall an Interesting, pleasant read. I enjoyed the novel a lot. As usual I did parallel reading and studying and learned a good deal. I had decided to read this novel as I simultaneously visited family in the Netherlands. This did add slightly to the reading experience. I then watched a movie based on the novel from 1956. In its totality this made for a fun reading and studying experience. (Assuming, of course, you are a geek with no life, like me!) Early in this fine novel, Vincent van Gogh serves as a clergyman in a mining town. As I read that part of the novel, I could not escape the feeling that I was rereading parts of my favorite novel by Emile Zola, "Germinal". Later within "Lust for Life", Vincent van Gogh meets Emile Zola and the novel "Germinal" is discussed. I am as certain as I can be that is no coincidence and "Germinal" served as a resource for this novel. As I very often do, I purchased an audiobook, narrated by Steve West, to augment my reading. The audiobook was very faithful to the written novel and was very professionally done. I am not one to suggest other people spend extra money. But I did also enjoy the audiobook. In summary, I completely enjoyed this reading and studying experience. The novel is a very good novel, that is slightly dated in style and, at times, moves along somewhat slowly. I am uncredentialed. Keeping that in mind,, I felt the writing style put me in mind of Herman Wouk from the 1940s. Speaking for myself, I am very glad that I read it, but I am also quite sure it will not suit the tastes of every modern reader. Thank You...

I have just completed reading Irving Stone’s magnificent biographical novel of the life of Vincent van Gogh “Lust for Life”. Even though the dialogue is fictional, it is based on truth. The book was written in 1934 and it is definitely one of those novels that are ageless and one can really enjoy reading it to this day. The characters come alive in this novel and are so vividly portrayed. Vincent van Gogh was never recognized in his time and had lived in dire poverty all his life. The book begins with his life in London where he had fallen in love with an Ursula Loyer, the daughter the landlady of the home where he had lodged. His love affair with her was a total disaster and she rejected him. She was engaged to somebody else. He fell out of favor with her family and he was ordered to leave their home for ever. He had worked at the London quarters of Goupils and Company for a while. He was never stable and after his breakup with Ursula he returned to his homeland. While in London he also did some teaching. He became fluent in English, French and was involved in helping pupils in their studies. He was very well read and also learnt Greek and Latin under the tutelage of Mendes da Costa. His father was a pastor and encouraged him to follow in his footsteps but he was not built for being a minister even though he preached a bit in the Borinage - a poor coal mining district. He had always identified with the poor peasants and mining workers. He had used them as subjects for many of his paintings. He struggled financially all his life and was supported by his younger brother, Theo, who had sent him 50 Francs a month for most of his life. Vincent was very close to his brother, who never abandoned him. The author portrayed Vincent van Gogh very vividly. You feel the pain and hardships that this struggling artist went through. His paintings were never recognized and he only managed to sell one painting in all his years as an artist. His work was severely criticized and it is just amazing that he never gave up. He travelled extensively in France and in the Netherlands. He lost his mind and became a heavy absinthe drinker, which must have affected his brain. He had been in out of two mental asylums. He had a close relationship with the doctors that treated him. The famous story of his cutting off his ear is also well described. Eventually at the age of 37 he committed suicide by shooting himself. He survived that and died a few days in his brother’s arms after his suicide attempt. It always remained a mystery where he acquired the revolver to end his life. This book gives one an excellent idea as to Vincent van Gogh’s extreme physical suffering and deprivation. It holds one’s interest right up until the last page.

I learned so much about Van Gogh reading this fictional biography. Thought it would be more salacious based on the title and back blurb, but it really wasn't.

This is a wonderful book, it has been made into a movie twice I believe maybe even three times but the book is so much better. Cause you can picture Gan’s face and you can picture you know face his the way he looks at things and you just know you can see it in your mind when you’re reading it versus watching it. You don’t miss anything like you might miss on a movie. There are no cliff notes for this book and the movie is like 60 years old if not older like everybody in the movies already dead so you may not even know who they are so I suggest you get the book. You’ll look cool if it’s in your stack of books that you’ve read. Trust me,get the book

Tormented Genius. 5+ Stars. Literary masterpiece. Irving Stones' Lust for Life is a dark, brooding biographical novel on Vincent van Gogh that leaves the reader both emotionally exhausted and mentally exhilarated at the same time. Mr. Stone captures the very essence of the van Gogh mystique: A manically driven genius who captures in his art that which he cannot embrace as a man. Never really appreciated in his day, van Gogh has become one of the greatest painters of all time. So much crammed into only 37 years, his chaotic life became a portrait study of roiling genius and tortured sadness mixed with artistic rejection and unrequited love. Only his brother Theo believed, but in the end even that is not enough, as Vincent gives in to his inner demons and dies of a self-inflicted wound at the young age of 37. Oh Vincent, to think what could have been but will never be: We get a glimpse of how he suffered through his eternal struggle with his insanity. Bravo Irving Stone. A Lust for Life is a wonderful interpretive study of Vincent van Gogh: the man, the artist, the tormented genius. A classic. A must read for anyone who is interested in art especially the Impressionists of the late 19th Century.

A classic biographic novel, written in 1934 by the wonderful Irving Stone, this old chestnut was revived by our book club, The Speed Readers. Many of our people, unfamiliar with Van Gogh or Irving Stone, were absorbed by the tragic tale of this tormented artist, so vividly portrayed by this excellent writer. Book clubs are wonderful venues for rediscovering older literature, reminding those of us who collect books, that there really is a reason to reread that book on your highest shelf or buy it to add to your collection. Makes you also want to buy a collection of Van Gogh's artwork, as many famous pieces are referenced in the book, whetting your appetite to look at the real thing.