Claude & Camille

Cowell's novel is a beautiful tribute to the famed Impressionist painter and his muse and lover, Camille. The account describes the many obstacles encountered by the painter--the refusal of the period's art critics to recognize his style and genius, devastating poverty, and the strife of military service. Monet's friendships with other famed artists--Renoir, Cezanne, Pissaro, Manet--influence his art and his world, while the lovely Camille inspires his dream. Narrator Christopher Cazenove ideally conveys Monet's personal torment and tempestuous relationships. Listening to his mature narration, one is transported to the late 1800s. Subtle dialects--although British, not French--denote class. When appropriate, Cazenove's voice descends into the hoarse registers of age and gently rises to the urgency of Monet's artistic quest. Realistic dialogue enables the listener to hear the characters' quickening passion for their art and each other. A.W. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

December 7, 2009
Behind every great artist stands a woman driving him to inspiration, aspiration, and desperation, according to Cowell (Marrying Mozart
), who bases her latest novel about an artist and his muse on the life of Claude Monet. Beautiful bourgeoise Camille Doncieux leaves her family and fiancé for Monet, whom Cowell depicts early on as a rebellious young man trying to capture in his paintings fleeting moments of color and light before he matures into the troubled genius whose talent exceeds his income. In an art world resistant to change, Camille remains Monet's great love as he and fellow unknowns Renoir, Pissarro, and Bazille struggle to make ends meet, but, eventually, parenthood, financial pressure, long separations, career frustrations, and romantic distractions take their toll, and even after Monet finally achieves commercial success, the couple still faces considerable difficulty. While glimpses of great men at work make absorbing reading, it's Camille who gives this story its heart. A convincing narrative about how masterpieces are created and a detailed portrait of a complex couple, Cowell's novel suggests that a fabulous, if flawed, love is the source of both the beauty and sadness of Monet's art.