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There are currently 25 member reviews
for The Lost Notebook of Edouard Manet
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Viqui G. (State College, PA)
Notebook of Edouard Manet
I have no background in art or art history so I had a difficult time following this novel until I did some research on Wikipedia and other internet sources. Once I learned about Manet's background, the names of his friends and his importance in the art world I loved the "notebook"!
He was a very passionate man and artist and totally uncompromising in his work. His passionate artistic originality opened the door for many Impressionist artists that came after Manet was gone.
In addition to being an artist, Manet was also quite an amazing philosopher with opinions on aging, ephemeral love and beauty, death, and the delights of sexual encounters.
Maureen Gibbon did a wonderful job of bringing an important man and artist to life.
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Peggy T. (Richardson, TX)
Manet's Diary
This fictionalized diary covers the last three years of the life of Edouard Manet. It was very poignant because of his physical suffering but uplifting because of his dedication to art and the beauty he saw in everything.
It made me want to read some of the books the author referenced for this work of fiction.
There was a line from the book that I particularly appreciated: "At a certain point, truth must give way to the illusion of truth."
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Joy E. (Rockville, MD)
Looking over the shoulder of an important artist
Art critics and museum docents work hard to interpret painter's masterpieces, but often they have little written material to guide their understanding. Maureen Gibbon has tried to get inside the head of modernist painter Edouard Manet by creating a fictional lost notebook covering the last few years of his life. Manet was already suffering from syphilis when the notebook begins in April 1880. The daily indignities of his health problems and the small pleasures of his sketching and interactions with his friends provide a look over the shoulder of a controversial artist who feels (and was) underappreciated. The most compelling sections deal with what may have inspired his famous painting, A Bar at the Moulin Rouge, and the sad-faced bar maid at its center. The format makes for a compelling book that sends the reader back for another look at the artist's work.
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Leslie R. (Arlington, VA)
Art, History, Philosophy
If you have a modicum of curiosity, you will read this book with your computer by your side. I took French in college as well as Art Appreciation, but I still spent hours looking up information on people, places, and events that were integral to Manet's story. The entire novel is indeed page after page of Manet's notebook, and I found it fascinating. The perspectives that he offers on growing old, dealing with illness, finding pleasure in small things, and reacting to praise and criticism are both interesting and thought-provoking. I can highly recommend this book to those who want to expand their reading horizons.
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Wanda G. (Minnetonka, MN)
Manet's Diary (Novel)
Being a student of the Impressionists I looked forward to this read. I sometimes felt I was reading about Van Gogh for some reason although he and Manet had different problems. Gibbon's gave us some great ideas to dwell on which I sometimes needed to reread and think about, like one can love many things such as even carrots. Although my father said how can you love carrots. And then the idea of always comparing everything. Just take it for what it is and look at the good things about them or it.
I really like Manet's paintings, wishing he could have lived longer. Interesting the way Gibbon has the novel in diary form and it is a quick read, if one doesn't stop too often to think about some of the profound statements.
Very appealing book cover. Book covers do mean a lot when shopping for my next read.
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Patricia T. (Tamarac, FL)
Imagined diary entries
I'm not sure how I feel about the book. It is, if course, a work of fiction based upon a few years at the end of Edouard Manet's life. He suffered from the effects of syphilis. There are a few passages on his artistic process; I wish there had been more. It would be interesting mainly to students of Manet.
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Mary B. (Laguna Woods, CA)
Art History in Fiction
I was interested in this book because I like the art of Edouard Manet. The first part was rather boring but did give information on effects of syphilis and his interest in women. I especially enjoyed the parts about painting "A Bar in at the Folies-Bergere" which is a favorite of mine and the comments on the Paris Salon. It is a fast read
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