Name: Claude & Camille
ISBN: 9780307463210

Stephanie Cowell

A vividly rendered portrait of both the rise of Impressionism and of Monet, the artist at the center of the movement. It is, above all, a love story of the highest romantic order.

A Novel of Monet

Claude & Camille

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So, clearly I am in the minority here since I only gave this book 2 stars. I tried to put my finger on exactly what didn‚Äôt work for me in this story, especially compared to the book I just finished, Girl in Translation (which was terrific). What I ultimately came up with is that, unlike most of the other reviewers, I didn‚Äôt feel much emotional connection in this story. So many events were told to the reader in a dry, factual way that it robbed the events of any sense of immediacy or emotion. There was very little arc or personal growth in any of the characters ‚Äì they seemed to be the same exact people doing the same exact things in the exact same way throughout the story. There were also a lot of awkward transitions, which pulled me out of the story. The first time it happened was in a scene in which Camille expresses an interest in going to the theater. Monet procures tickets for an upcoming show and in the next sentence, they are watching the show. I had to flip pages back and forth because it felt like I had accidentally skipped one.

I didn't hate the book, but I didn't like it either. Towards the end, I skimmed pages just to finish it (never a good sign). I read it so quickly only because I had some extra time to read this week and because I was anxious to start the next book on my to-read list. I wish I had liked this story more. It had a great premise but just felt very flat and dull to me.

Claude & Camille A Novel of Monet

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