Reviews

Lust for Life by Irving Stone

nainatai's review against another edition

5.0

When I started reading the book, I couldn't say much for the writing. However, Van Gogh's life has been interesting and probably doesn't need to be documented with too much flair.
By the time I reached Arles, the writing seemed to have improved, and towards the end, it had become a painting of its own.

Can't remember the last time a biography left me feeling completely in love with the subject.

alex_is_totally_fine's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective

5.0

sorinahiggins's review against another edition

5.0

This is a magnificent, tragic book. I just wish I had an illustrated edition!

jgril0's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.75

erisberis's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Interesting perspective on Van Gogh's life, but lots of outdated perspectives on women and mental illness

uhambe_nami's review

4.0

I am not a fan of re-imagined dialogue in biographies, but apart from that I thought Lust for Life was very well done. Van Gogh's religious zeal, his first love, the correspondence with his brother Theo, his quarrel with Gauguin, the madness, the poverty and the devastating end - all of this was well handled by Stone. A good read that puts Van Gogh's paintings in a new light.

readin_slump's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mariaawaria's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

damn_dash's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

kashmiras's review against another edition

informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0