This book is one of the Advanced Reader editions I receive in exchange for a review via LibraryThing.com. I chose this book because I have a fine-arts background and enjoy reading about anything art. I also love Rodin's work and was curious about Camille Claudel's life and work - individually and in relation to Rodin's. (Rodin was Camille's sculpture instructor. Camille also apprenticed with Rodin, working many hours on his sculptures.)
Review
Rating: ***
I
would have preferred a more sophisticated interpretation of Camille
Claudal's life. She was an exceptional artist who was ahead of her time
both artistically and culturally. Her tragic life was circumstantial.
She had a bitter and hateful mother and brother who essentially stole Camille's life from her; and for a woman in the
19th century, her independent desire to express herself in sculpture was
akin to prostitution.
Looking at and reading about the life and
work of Claudel in relation to Rodin, it is clear they fed off and
influenced one another both artistically and intellectually. This book
would have been far more interesting had the author focused on the dynamics
of this dual creative force. Instead, it read like a light romance
novel. It was not the biography I anticipated.
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