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A review by iseefeelings
Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent Van Gogh by Vincent van Gogh, Irving Stone
3.0
1. I had been procrastinating on reading the last few pages of this book and coincidentally, I finished it on new year’s eve, fifteen minutes before the start of 2020. It was bitter to see how a man who had loved life with all his heart quickly sank to the bottom of hopelessness.
2. I have to note that this book is not in a letter form but an autobiography edition which the editors only kept the vital parts in Vincent van Gogh’s life.
I must admit that the reason I gave this book 3.5 stars is not because of the content of Vincent van Gogh's letters but this poor quality of the book itself. I was frustrated in the first half of the book and I had to put it down so many times. There are many grammar errors, typos, untranslated French words (which seemed to be so crucial to understanding the context of what van Gogh wrote), lack of annotations - all of them just drove me insane and it took me more time to finish the book. Thus I would prefer to have another translated version of the painter's letters for sure (please let me know if you have any suggestion).
3. Despite all of this, I’m touched by Vincent’s earnest, diligence and his love for life. He seemed to stay loving when talking about people, no matter how many times they were the ones who made his life more miserable.
Surprisingly, I realised that some rumours about his life are not quite true (he was a loner but he did have friends, his relationship with Gauguin was unique but the dramatic event actually didn’t end their friendship, he once had a lovely family with the one he saved the life and cherished with all his heart, he also fell in love so many times but everything ended badly).
I remember reading some comments, indicating that van Gogh said about what happened to him differently than what the truth is. But who can say which is the actual truth of it all?
I just know that he is so genuine: his admiration for the old friend, the way he refused to be on a newspaper as a fine painter because he didn’t think he did enough to have the applause, the way he asked for financial help but trying to 'sell' the art to his brother to keep his dignity.
4. What haunts me the most is how mental illness plays a vital part of him putting the end to his life, how he wished to stay sane and to make art but his health condition seemed to be uncontrollable. He defended himself that he still loves art and life “very much” but in the last letters, the doubt crept in after times and times he stood strong and believed in his work through all the ups and downs. These words from the letter that is known to be with him on the dying bed broke my heart, “Well, my own work, I am risking my life for it and my reason has half-foundered.”
2. I have to note that this book is not in a letter form but an autobiography edition which the editors only kept the vital parts in Vincent van Gogh’s life.
I must admit that the reason I gave this book 3.5 stars is not because of the content of Vincent van Gogh's letters but this poor quality of the book itself. I was frustrated in the first half of the book and I had to put it down so many times. There are many grammar errors, typos, untranslated French words (which seemed to be so crucial to understanding the context of what van Gogh wrote), lack of annotations - all of them just drove me insane and it took me more time to finish the book. Thus I would prefer to have another translated version of the painter's letters for sure (please let me know if you have any suggestion).
3. Despite all of this, I’m touched by Vincent’s earnest, diligence and his love for life. He seemed to stay loving when talking about people, no matter how many times they were the ones who made his life more miserable.
Surprisingly, I realised that some rumours about his life are not quite true (he was a loner but he did have friends, his relationship with Gauguin was unique but the dramatic event actually didn’t end their friendship, he once had a lovely family with the one he saved the life and cherished with all his heart, he also fell in love so many times but everything ended badly).
I remember reading some comments, indicating that van Gogh said about what happened to him differently than what the truth is. But who can say which is the actual truth of it all?
I just know that he is so genuine: his admiration for the old friend, the way he refused to be on a newspaper as a fine painter because he didn’t think he did enough to have the applause, the way he asked for financial help but trying to 'sell' the art to his brother to keep his dignity.
4. What haunts me the most is how mental illness plays a vital part of him putting the end to his life, how he wished to stay sane and to make art but his health condition seemed to be uncontrollable. He defended himself that he still loves art and life “very much” but in the last letters, the doubt crept in after times and times he stood strong and believed in his work through all the ups and downs. These words from the letter that is known to be with him on the dying bed broke my heart, “Well, my own work, I am risking my life for it and my reason has half-foundered.”