The Secret Life of Sunflowers

The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar 404 pages

 

I would say that most Americans from high school on up know who Vincent Van Gogh is: The creator of some of the world’s most beautiful paintings (Starry, Starry Night; Sunflowers to name a few) or the mad painter who cut off his ear and gave it to a prostitute as a sign of affection. There have been hundreds of books, movies, songs and tv shows that give readers/watchers an insight to this complicated man.

 

But this novel gives readers a new perspective, When Vincent dies in 1890 by suicide (gunshot to the chest), he leaves his paintings to his brother, Theo, and his wife, Johanna. After Theo dies in 1891, the paintings are left to Johanna. And Johanna is the subject of this powerful novel with the theme of inspiring women.

 

Even before Theo’s death from general paresis of insane in 1891, Johanna was trying to establish Vincent reputation in the art world. True she the money that his paintings would bring, but in the 1890s, women did not have many ways to earn a living, Plus she had her son to provide for.

 

Now then, this book takes on a dual narrative that is not quite interesting as Johanna’s story, yet Johanna becomes an inspiration to Emsley Wilson, who is the fictional granddaughter of Violet Valkyrie, a woman who was also a well-known artist. Emsley lives and works in LA as a Hollywood auctioneer. Violet had Johanna’s diary, which is the catalyst for the novel when Violet has her look into her blue box at the back of her closet and encourages Emsley to read it.

 

Bottom line: It is because of Johanna’s unrelenting ambition to make Vincent a household name that it is. Throw in some 2022 shenanigans from Emsley’s ex-boyfriend and best friend to take her business and an unexpected romance that create such a riveting. For me, the first four chapters were rather slow, but once I started Chapter 5, I couldn’t put it down. Therefore, The Secret Life of Sunflowers gets 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

 

A Craftsman's Legacy

A Craftsman's Legacy by Eric Gorges, 245 pages

In much of the developed world where work centers around computer screens, this is a refreshing examination of artisans who use their hands to make things. The book's chapters are theme-titled but several of them focus on a particular artisan and their craft: a potter, furniture maker, stone carver, glassblower, calligrapher, etc. The author's own biography is creatively interwoven throughout: he worked in the tech industry, developed mental health issues which were relieved as he became a motorcycle maker. Having experienced skilled mechanics and carpenters myself I've often thought that it takes as much smarts to be a good artisan as academic, business leader or politician and this book fed that conviction. I highly recommend it if you need a break, like I did, from disembodied concepts, ideas and screens. It is likely to increase your appreciation for artisans and to inspire you to rub your hands before heading toward a work of your own.

Ink & Paint

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation by Mindy Johnson   384 pages

When I first read about this book, I wanted to read it --- but I wasn't expecting it to be a coffee-table-size book. When I picked up my hold from the library, I then was expecting more pictures than text.  And I was wrong: there is a lot of text here.  And, this book is completely fascinating!!

The author goes into detail about the women who worked to painstakingly bring to life the various pencil drawings to animate creations at Walt Disney's studios. Like Code Girls, this book focuses on history that basically has gone untold (and pretty unappreciated) until now. The sheer amount of work that went into the early processes is staggering, and now that I've read this, I can really appreciate short pieces from the Silly Symphony catalog. The author explains not only the different color processes and techniques, but also how delicate and precise the work needed to be, as well as the evolution of the animation process through the years. In addition to seeking artists, Disney sought out female story specialists and concept artists to expand the scope of his storytelling. Over the years, women made their way into the male-dominated area of animation. During World War II, even more opportunities became available, and women quickly progressed into all kinds of disciplines within the animation process and production.

This book is obviously extensively researched and is very, very thorough in detail. I found I was reading slowly, because there's just so much information to take in.  Really a fascinating book!!

Moonlight Over Paris

Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson    352 pages

           

December 1923.  Lady Helena Montagu-Douglas-Parr is near death in her London home. Doctors have told her parents to start planning for the worse. I believe that her illness was scarlet fever, but that didn’t come out until about halfway through the story. Robson would have readers believe that her broken engagement has caused her illness.

She feels the shame and shun or her relatives, friends, and strangers. Her five-year engagement to Edward is over. The Great War changed him, but it wasn’t her who broke off the relationship; it was Edward. Now Helena is 28, and her prospects are few.

A letter arrives from her bohemian, free-spirited Aunt Agnes in Paris. She invites Helena to come and visit her. Helena quickly agrees, despite her parents’ concerns.

Helena has always been drawn to art and enrolls in an art school under the tutelage of Maitre Czerny. She drops her title and simply becomes Helena Parr.

Although Robson is an excellent writer and researcher, the story becomes predictable. She does her best at art but is never noticed by Czerny. She becomes fast friends with three of her classmates and, together, they rent a studio. She meets a handsome American, Sam Howard, to whom she is attracted. They hit it off and are smitten with each other, yet…

There are a lot of wonderful details in the work. I enjoyed watching Helena become an artist and gain self-confidence that he broken engagement destroyed.

Although it’s predictable, Moonlight Over Paris has strong characters and character development. Since I didn’t expect anything different, I really enjoyed this read.

I give Moonlight Over Paris  4 out of 5 stars.