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Conversations with Van Gogh
- Narrated by: Andy Havill
- Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins
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Conversations with Van Gogh
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Summary
Vincent van Gogh is best known for two things – his sunflowers and his ear-cutting. But there are many other ways of knowing this remarkable son of a Dutch pastor, who left his chill homeland for the sunshine of Arles in the South of France; and left us over a thousand frank letters of struggle and joy, to help us glimpse his inner world.
Vincent came late to painting after spending time in London trying to be a Christian missionary. And though he is now amongst the most famous artists on earth, in his day, no one saw him coming – apart from one French art critic called Aurier. It is possible he never sold one of his paintings in his life time.
When he discovered the sun in Arles, he also discovered energy. Yellow for him was the colour of hope, and in his last two years he painted almost a canvass a day. But hope ran out on July 27th, 1890 when he shot himself, aged 37. He was at this time six months out of a mental institution, where perhaps he experienced his greatest calm. Vincent compared himself to a stunted plant; damaged by the emotional frost of his childhood.
‘Speaking with Vincent – which he insists on being called – was a privilege,’ says Simon Parke. ‘He’s endlessly fascinating, contradictory, moving, funny, insightful and tragic. There’s a fury in him; but also a great kindness. He found harmony in human relationships elusive; his love life was a painful shambles. But with colour, he was a harmonic genius, and he has much to say about this. And here’s the thing: for a man who killed himself – he died in the arms of his brother on July 29th - spending time with him was never anything but life-affirming.’
Critic reviews
What listeners say about Conversations with Van Gogh
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- P. A. Barrow
- 01-10-19
Superb!
Totally enjoyed this audiobook. After watching A Lust for Life starring Kirk Douglas, I wanted to learn more about the great artist. this book delivers another side of his story.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-03-18
Great book
Gets to the essence of Van Gogh in a lyrical and absorbing way reflecting the man himself. recommended
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Paul
- 06-04-10
Van Gogh
It is a fascinating audio-book. I listened to it with so much pleasure. It was like listening to a real interview with Van Gogh and all the words were his own. All the little details of Van Gogh's life create picture of an authentic person, not some legendary painter. Also, the delivery by Andy Havill realy brings Vincent's words to life.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- jon-paul
- 31-07-13
Terrible
If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?
People who are easily amused. Someone who only wants the thin gruel of what Vincent Van Gogh wrote.
What will your next listen be?
God only knows.
How could the performance have been better?
While listening to conversations with Van Gogh I yearned for more Van Gogh and for the interviewer to disappear. I just wish someone had done a full unabridged version of Van Gogh's letters - all 900+ letters and I would have been in heaven. Instead I have to be contented with this chopped up mess.
What character would you cut from Conversations with Van Gogh?
The interviewer
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