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fatimawright's review against another edition
Just wasn’t that interesting and time ran out at the library
tien's review against another edition
3.0
★★★½
I have to admit that I don't know much about paintings but I'm always fascinated by what stories they could tell. Like Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Kate Forsyth's Beauty in Thorns, The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet explores not only how this particular painting came to be but also the life of the muse. In addition, The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet also followed on the journey of the painting after it left its painter's hands and the author's research into its related history.
At first, I found the alternating chapters with different settings (time, place, and perspective) quite jarring but as I continue to read, becoming immersed in the journey of Doctor Gachet and Van Gogh's painting, I came to look forward to not only what but where the next chapter will take me to.
The longest chapters were of the life of Doctor Gachet as we learn of his childhood, his marriage and older years. While he lived in a period of turmoil of French history, we really do not hear very much of the world outside of his life. This book is very much focused on Doctor Gachet though of course, only the main turn-points in his life or this book will be a much thicker one. As life goes, his wasn't a complete tragedy or a most happy one. It's full of ups and downs and in-betweens but what the painting tells us is that his burden is rather heavy on him.
With the second alternating chapter, there is a narrator (which I assume could be the author) who became fascinated with this painting and the sadness portrayed. He decided to research into the origins of the painting and the subject of said painting. As he shared his research journey, he also shares some life reflections which resulted from his journey.
The last alternating chapter follows the journey of the painting after it was sold. It was displayed in some homes. It missed the Nazi purge and was smuggled out of the country. It was sold for a lot (stress on the 'lot') of money. Then, the world seems to have lost its track... Where could it be? Who owns this painting now?
The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet is an immersive tale of life. It is captivating as it draws the readers to follow on this journey of many lives over a long span of time. It is a book to be savoured for its historical value and reflections of life.
I have to admit that I don't know much about paintings but I'm always fascinated by what stories they could tell. Like Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Kate Forsyth's Beauty in Thorns, The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet explores not only how this particular painting came to be but also the life of the muse. In addition, The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet also followed on the journey of the painting after it left its painter's hands and the author's research into its related history.
At first, I found the alternating chapters with different settings (time, place, and perspective) quite jarring but as I continue to read, becoming immersed in the journey of Doctor Gachet and Van Gogh's painting, I came to look forward to not only what but where the next chapter will take me to.
The longest chapters were of the life of Doctor Gachet as we learn of his childhood, his marriage and older years. While he lived in a period of turmoil of French history, we really do not hear very much of the world outside of his life. This book is very much focused on Doctor Gachet though of course, only the main turn-points in his life or this book will be a much thicker one. As life goes, his wasn't a complete tragedy or a most happy one. It's full of ups and downs and in-betweens but what the painting tells us is that his burden is rather heavy on him.
By Vincent van Gogh - Unknown, Public Domain, Link
With the second alternating chapter, there is a narrator (which I assume could be the author) who became fascinated with this painting and the sadness portrayed. He decided to research into the origins of the painting and the subject of said painting. As he shared his research journey, he also shares some life reflections which resulted from his journey.
The last alternating chapter follows the journey of the painting after it was sold. It was displayed in some homes. It missed the Nazi purge and was smuggled out of the country. It was sold for a lot (stress on the 'lot') of money. Then, the world seems to have lost its track... Where could it be? Who owns this painting now?
The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet is an immersive tale of life. It is captivating as it draws the readers to follow on this journey of many lives over a long span of time. It is a book to be savoured for its historical value and reflections of life.
Thanks to the author, Sam Meekings, for copy of book in exchange of honest review.