Madame Picasso
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
Flip to back
Flip to front
Madame Picasso Paperback – August 26, 2014
See all 4 formats and editions
Hide other formats and editions
| Amazon Price | New from | Used from |
|
Hardcover, Large Print
"Please retry"
|
$27.89 | — |
 |
$10.90
FREE Shipping on orders over $35.
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Gift-wrap available.
NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE
Start reading Madame Picasso on your Kindle in under a minute.
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Want to know our Editors' picks for the best books of the month? Browse Best Books of the Month, featuring our favorite new books in more than a dozen categories.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?.
|
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Early twentieth century Paris and Picasso's lost love come to enchanted, vivid life in MADAME PICASSO. With a deft eye for detail and deep understanding for her protagonists, Anne Girard captures the earnest young woman who enthralled the famous artist and became his unsung muse." – C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of THE QUEEN'S VOW
"[An] intriguing story of love and loss.... Girard creates a wonderful period piece [and]...successfully captures the essence of an iconic figure."
-Publishers Weekly
"Girard...ably marries history, art, and romance here as Eva remains broadly rendered and famous figures shine."
-Booklist
"Gripping....Written with...heartfelt passion."
-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The novel is a wonderful portrait of the complicated relationship between art, passion and love from a woman's viewpoint. Girard is a talented storyteller and historian, drawing readers into the world in which her characters live."
-RT Book Reviews
"[An] intriguing story of love and loss.... Girard creates a wonderful period piece [and]...successfully captures the essence of an iconic figure."
-Publishers Weekly
"Girard...ably marries history, art, and romance here as Eva remains broadly rendered and famous figures shine."
-Booklist
"Gripping....Written with...heartfelt passion."
-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The novel is a wonderful portrait of the complicated relationship between art, passion and love from a woman's viewpoint. Girard is a talented storyteller and historian, drawing readers into the world in which her characters live."
-RT Book Reviews
About the Author
Anne Girard is a writer and historian with degrees in English literature and clinical psychology. She has spent extensive time in Paris and lives in California with her husband and children.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By
Erin Davies
on August 26, 2014
Format: Paperback
Comment
Sending feedback...
Picasso is easily one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, but I think it fair to say his art is more recognizable than the man behind it which is what roused my interest in Anne Girard's Madame Picasso.
Picking up in 1911, Girard draws readers into the popular salons and glamorous haunts of Paris in the waning years of the Belle Époque to explore a love affair that would forever change the young artist.
I liked several things about this piece, but I particularly appreciated how the author sought to pull back the curtain and really examine the dynamic between artist and muse. This wasn't just an affair in her eyes, it was profound union that made a lasting impression on the painter and I think that really comes through in the narrative.
I also liked Girard's interpretation of Eva's character and her struggle to hold Picasso's affection. She is a tenacious woman who defies convention, but isn't immune to doubt or indecision and the complexity that lent her allows the reader to truly understand Pablo's attraction.
Atmospherically, Girard did a wonderful job bringing this period to life. There is an innocence about the grandeur, an air of naiveté that hovers over the city as is comes closer to war. Walls can't talk, but in Madame Picasso one can easily imagine the world they might have witnessed.
A vivid tale that offers compelling insight to an oft forgotten chapter in the artist's life, Madame Picasso is an absolute must for art lovers and literary aficionados alike. Impossible to put down and brilliantly addicting.
Picking up in 1911, Girard draws readers into the popular salons and glamorous haunts of Paris in the waning years of the Belle Époque to explore a love affair that would forever change the young artist.
I liked several things about this piece, but I particularly appreciated how the author sought to pull back the curtain and really examine the dynamic between artist and muse. This wasn't just an affair in her eyes, it was profound union that made a lasting impression on the painter and I think that really comes through in the narrative.
I also liked Girard's interpretation of Eva's character and her struggle to hold Picasso's affection. She is a tenacious woman who defies convention, but isn't immune to doubt or indecision and the complexity that lent her allows the reader to truly understand Pablo's attraction.
Atmospherically, Girard did a wonderful job bringing this period to life. There is an innocence about the grandeur, an air of naiveté that hovers over the city as is comes closer to war. Walls can't talk, but in Madame Picasso one can easily imagine the world they might have witnessed.
A vivid tale that offers compelling insight to an oft forgotten chapter in the artist's life, Madame Picasso is an absolute must for art lovers and literary aficionados alike. Impossible to put down and brilliantly addicting.
Thank you for your feedback.
If this review is inappropriate, please let us know.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By
Emmanuelle Cazabonne
on August 28, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
Comment
Sending feedback...
Picasso (1881-1973) has the reputation of having had quite a few women in his life. Two of them are in this historical novel, Fernande Olivier (artist model), a complex and wounded woman, married to an abusive husband, and Eva Gouel (1885-1915), or Marcelle Humbert, as she renamed herself when arriving in Paris, fleeing her family and trying to make a living as a seamstress at Le Moulin Rouge. Eva and Pablo ended up loving each other deeply. Working hard at getting her way around a new world for her, learning all about art and business, she became a real support and muse to him. But fate was not tender, and… well, you will have to read it for yourself, but here is why I really enjoyed it a lot.
Madame Picasso is set during the glorious Parisian years before World War I, so rich with poets, painters, artists, singers, actors. Remember the movie Midnight In Paris? That’s exactly that period. You will meet Sarah Bernardt, Mistinguett (unfortunately not as famous in the US as in France), Maurice Chevalier, Apollinaire, Georges Braque, the art dealer Kahnweiler, Ubaldo Oppi, Denain, Kees Van Dongen, Matisse, Max Jacob. Lots of these people know each other through Gertrude Stein’s Salons, where Picasso and Eva went very often and found solace near the free spirited Gertrude and the woman she was living with.
And there are famous historical events in the background as well: the Mona Lisa is stolen, in the circle close to Picasso, the Titanic sinks, WWI begins, Max Jacob converts to Christianity, a big event in the artistic world of the time.Read more ›
Madame Picasso is set during the glorious Parisian years before World War I, so rich with poets, painters, artists, singers, actors. Remember the movie Midnight In Paris? That’s exactly that period. You will meet Sarah Bernardt, Mistinguett (unfortunately not as famous in the US as in France), Maurice Chevalier, Apollinaire, Georges Braque, the art dealer Kahnweiler, Ubaldo Oppi, Denain, Kees Van Dongen, Matisse, Max Jacob. Lots of these people know each other through Gertrude Stein’s Salons, where Picasso and Eva went very often and found solace near the free spirited Gertrude and the woman she was living with.
And there are famous historical events in the background as well: the Mona Lisa is stolen, in the circle close to Picasso, the Titanic sinks, WWI begins, Max Jacob converts to Christianity, a big event in the artistic world of the time.Read more ›
Thank you for your feedback.
If this review is inappropriate, please let us know.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By
Arleigh C. Johnson
on August 26, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
Comment
Sending feedback...
At the close of the opulent Belle Époque era in Paris, Eva Gouel makes her debut as a seamstress/designer at the glamorous cabaret Moulin Rouge, where she first spots Pablo Picasso in the audience. Another meeting at an art exhibit furthers their acquaintance, and they begin a tête-à-tête that blossoms into a deep and inescapable devotion.
It is a struggle for Eva to accept love from a man she so revers, and she constantly questions his sincerity, for she feels less than confidant trying to fill the goddess-like shoes of Picasso’s last love, Fernande Olivier. This insecurity, coupled with the cold reception from many of the Montmartre set of artists and poets, flaws Eva’s happiness, but Picasso’s creativity flourishes under her adoration and care. As the coming war threatens their livelihood, a personal crisis looms that will define Picasso’s analytic cubism era and forever change the artist’s views on love and loss.
The story is so tremendously detailed that readers are transported to early 20th Century Paris, featuring such names as Moulin Rouge’s Mistinguett, Henri Matisse, Sarah Burnhardt, and Gertrude Stein. Picasso’s paintings are described, not only in technique, but with the artist’s feeling in each piece, perfectly setting the tone of the narrative. This is a story that will spark an interest in an era and bring to life Picasso’s intriguingly allusive love, Eva Gouel/Marcelle Humbert, who is not easily found in historical records. Highly recommended for those interested in art history, the Belle Époque era and fictional biographies!
It is a struggle for Eva to accept love from a man she so revers, and she constantly questions his sincerity, for she feels less than confidant trying to fill the goddess-like shoes of Picasso’s last love, Fernande Olivier. This insecurity, coupled with the cold reception from many of the Montmartre set of artists and poets, flaws Eva’s happiness, but Picasso’s creativity flourishes under her adoration and care. As the coming war threatens their livelihood, a personal crisis looms that will define Picasso’s analytic cubism era and forever change the artist’s views on love and loss.
The story is so tremendously detailed that readers are transported to early 20th Century Paris, featuring such names as Moulin Rouge’s Mistinguett, Henri Matisse, Sarah Burnhardt, and Gertrude Stein. Picasso’s paintings are described, not only in technique, but with the artist’s feeling in each piece, perfectly setting the tone of the narrative. This is a story that will spark an interest in an era and bring to life Picasso’s intriguingly allusive love, Eva Gouel/Marcelle Humbert, who is not easily found in historical records. Highly recommended for those interested in art history, the Belle Époque era and fictional biographies!
Thank you for your feedback.
If this review is inappropriate, please let us know.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Paige Parnell
on August 30, 2014
Format: Paperback
Comment
Sending feedback...
This book was the best vacation I’ve had in a long time! I love the way Anne Girard uses sensory details: I was able to hear the scratchy sounds of the Victrola, smell the paint and dammar varnish in Picasso’s studio, and feel the delicate silk of Eva’s kimono. I could visualize Eva’s amazing performance at the Moulin Rouge; and I especially enjoyed the “mind travel” to Parisian restaurants, hotels, outside cafés, the glorious French countryside and the trip to Barcelona.
Also, I was pleased to learn more about Gertrude Stein’s famous salon in Paris, her friendship with Picasso, and her lifelong partner, Alice. It’s always a bonus when the author weaves in historical facts without breaking the fictional illusion. Thanks, Ms. Girard.
The best part, though, is that the story is well crafted with a character-driven, poignant love story. The author deftly contrasts Picasso’s life filled with anger, superstition and spiritual turmoil to his life after he falls in love with Eva. This woman was truly a turning point in Picasso’s life. Eva Gouel was also an inspiring force. Independent and successful before her relationship with Picasso, Eva faced her struggles with determination and courage.
I highly recommend this book, but with a warning: Once you start reading, you will be so intrigued that you’ll forget the real world going on around you. I burned my meatloaf…
Also, I was pleased to learn more about Gertrude Stein’s famous salon in Paris, her friendship with Picasso, and her lifelong partner, Alice. It’s always a bonus when the author weaves in historical facts without breaking the fictional illusion. Thanks, Ms. Girard.
The best part, though, is that the story is well crafted with a character-driven, poignant love story. The author deftly contrasts Picasso’s life filled with anger, superstition and spiritual turmoil to his life after he falls in love with Eva. This woman was truly a turning point in Picasso’s life. Eva Gouel was also an inspiring force. Independent and successful before her relationship with Picasso, Eva faced her struggles with determination and courage.
I highly recommend this book, but with a warning: Once you start reading, you will be so intrigued that you’ll forget the real world going on around you. I burned my meatloaf…
Thank you for your feedback.
If this review is inappropriate, please let us know.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Most Recent Customer Reviews
