"Vincent's Women" by Donna Russo delves into the enigmatic life of Vincent van Gogh, presenting a narrative that challenges the widely accepted stories surrounding the artist. Through the eyes of Johanna van Gogh Bonger, Vincent's sister-in-law, readers are taken on a journey that reimagines the artist's relationships and experiences, offering a unique perspective on his creative genius and inner struggles. By questioning the traditional narratives, the novel delves into the complexities of Vincent's emotional world and the women who played crucial roles in it. The extensive use of Vincent's letters to his brother Theo adds authenticity to the story, allowing readers to glimpse into Vincent's innermost thoughts and feelings.

Johanna van Gogh Bonger, guides and brings a personal touch to the narrative, as she unravels the untold stories of Vincent's loves and their impact on his art. The novel explores themes of love, passion, and the human desire for connection, presenting a more nuanced portrayal of Vincent's character beyond the often-repeated tales of his mental health struggles. By interweaving the narrative with excerpts from the extensive correspondence between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo, the novel constructs a rich and authentic portrayal of Vincent's emotions, struggles, and desires. It presents a perspective that challenges established notions about Vincent's mental state, his self-inflicted ear injury, and the circumstances surrounding his death.

As the narrative unfolds, readers are encouraged to question the assumptions they may have held about Vincent's life, challenges, and ultimate fate. "Vincent's Women" offers a fresh perspective on a beloved artist, inviting readers to consider the complexity of his experiences and relationships. This novel invites us to explore a new side of Vincent van Gogh's story, one that sheds light on his humanity and the profound influences of the women who crossed his path.

By interweaving the narrative with excerpts from the extensive correspondence between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo, the novel constructs a rich and authentic portrayal of Vincent's emotions, struggles, and desires. It presents a perspective that challenges established notions about Vincent's mental state, his self-inflicted ear injury, and the circumstances surrounding his death.

From his tumultuous relationship with his mother to his passionate entanglements with various women, including fellow artists, models, and companions, the book paints a vivid picture of the intersections between love, passion, and creativity in van Gogh's life. Through meticulous research and rich storytelling, the author explores the impact these women had on van Gogh's art and his emotional well-being.

The book dares to question the prevalent narratives, inviting readers to reconsider what they thought they knew about the artist. It raises intriguing possibilities about Vincent's search for love and how it might have influenced both his genius and his perceived madness. This novel offers a fresh lens through which to view Vincent van Gogh's life and art, presenting a compelling alternative to conventional interpretations.

I am such a huge fan of Vincent Van Gogh and was really intrigued by the title of this book . Unfortunately I just could not seem to find a rhythm with the writing style . It’s very rare I don’t finish a book but despite multiple attempts to get into this one it just was not for me. I will say though that the subject matter/story itself seems very interesting. I am sure that readers who have loved this author in the past will enjoy this novel as well.

Really enjoyed the way the women were centralised in this novel and the portrayal of Vincent. Beautifully written and evocative with lovely details. I would have preferred to hear about Rachel rather than Gauguin - that decision felt like a strange interruption in the women’s narratives.

No one becomes who they are alone, even if they feel alone. This was an interesting look into the lives and feelings of the women who helped to make Vincent van Gogh the artist he was. Throughout history, women’s contributions to art, society, and the men around them have been undervalued and misrepresented. Similarly, the complicated life of Vincent can Gogh can often be misrepresented in both fiction and nonfiction. This book tries to correct these misunderstandings by providing the women in van Gogh’s life a voice therefore making the famous painter more human. I think it achieves its mission. Each woman becomes so real, so familiar and the readers connection to van Gogh grows along with each woman. The research the author clearly put into creating this book keeps the book from feeling overtly fictional.

I enjoyed jumping into the lives of these women and learning more about such a renowned artist.