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72nd out of 305 books
—
484 voters
I Am Madame X
When John Singer Sargent unveiled Madame X -- his famous portrait of American beauty Virginie Gautreau -- at the 1884 Paris Salon, its subject's bold pose and provocative dress shocked the public and the critics, smashing Sargent's dreams of a Paris career. In this remarkable novel, Gioia Diliberto tells Virginie's story, drawing on the sketchy historical facts to re-creat...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
May 4th 2004
by Scribner
(first published 2003)
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After reading this story about Virginia Gautreau's life and John Singer Sargent's scandalous portrait, I had to go to NYC to see it in person at the MET. It is stunning and if you look on an angle from the left side, you can see where Sargent painted over the other strap, but you can only see it by the light. I love all of Sargent's work, he was extremely talented. I did like the story of Virginia's life, born in New Orleans, raised by a prominent Creole family, later fled to Paris because of th...more
The story was good, the retelling of history was good, but I found the book oddly detached, almost passionless. It was interesting to read of the world that Mimi inhabited, and to learn the history behind the famous painting. Books such as this make me spend hours at my computer googling the paintings mentioned and I had a blast doing that. Seeing the picture of Dr Pozzi, I can see where Mimi was attracted to him!
The other question I had, is regarding Aunt Julie and her friends. Did Aunt Julie j...more
The other question I had, is regarding Aunt Julie and her friends. Did Aunt Julie j...more
Well, this was very interesting, and the tone was quite fitting. I enjoyed it.
I kept wondering, though, how much of this was fact, or based-on-fact. I knew not all of it was -- and this was a much better way of going about imparting sketchy-to-no information than Tilar Mazzeo did with The Widow Clicquot.
But then I got to the end and found out that not only is 99% of this book fictionalized, but a surprisingly large amount of it is an outright lie. And lo, I was very angry for quite some time. I...more
I kept wondering, though, how much of this was fact, or based-on-fact. I knew not all of it was -- and this was a much better way of going about imparting sketchy-to-no information than Tilar Mazzeo did with The Widow Clicquot.
But then I got to the end and found out that not only is 99% of this book fictionalized, but a surprisingly large amount of it is an outright lie. And lo, I was very angry for quite some time. I...more
I Am Madame X by Gioia Diliberto revolves around the life of Virginie Gautreau, the woman who posed for John Singer Sargent’s infamous painting, Madame X. To the current-day eye the portrait is of an elegant woman wearing a beautiful, sleek black dress. The waist is small and defined. The deep V-neckline, almost modest for today, revealed a lot of skin in the 1800s. But more shockingly was the fact that one strap was dangling off her shoulder in a come-hither attitude. Gasp. That “slutty” pictur...more
With this book I once again traveled to 19th century Paris. One of personal favorite periods of history in terms of art, artists and the cultural revolution that was taking place. The painting of Madame X by John Singer Sargent was unveiled at the Paris Salon of 1884. Being accustomed to the negative critique of the “new” art it was no surprise that this painting caused an uproar among critics. However, the scandalous and provocative subject also shocked the public (and put an end to Mr. Sargent...more
Although an entertaining read, this book's prose is average and there is no major lessons to be learned.
In this historical fiction account, Virginie Gautreau is a 19th century equivalent of today's version of model/actress socialite who is thrown by her social climbing mother into French society.
The few things I got out of this book are 1) Children need a stable environment to grow up properly 2) Exposing children to success at young age without having to work for it causes them to have a sense...more
In this historical fiction account, Virginie Gautreau is a 19th century equivalent of today's version of model/actress socialite who is thrown by her social climbing mother into French society.
The few things I got out of this book are 1) Children need a stable environment to grow up properly 2) Exposing children to success at young age without having to work for it causes them to have a sense...more
This book had potential and fell short. I enjoyed the author's choice of genre but I don't think she took advantage of the available material surrounding the heroine's life and family. It was disappointing that Virginie, the woman whom the book is about, was portrayed as a woman who had the advantage of her famous beauty but never used it in a powerful way. Also, the book could have been alot more interesting if the author had delved more into the other characters dramatic lives.
This book has huge potential. It's based on next to no actual historical documentation of the personal life of the woman in this famous painting (as the Acknowledgements say), so the author could have really created a rich and wild personal life story. Instead, she tells the story of a vapid, self-obsessed, angry woman who literally obsesses about her looks through the entire novel, and yet has no emotional reaction to getting old, which she inevitably does. I'd much rather read the story of the...more
The gorgeous Virginie Gatreau narrates her own tale about how she came to be regarded as one of the most beautiful and alluring women in France. Virginie is an American expatriate living in France, who is both prised and victimised for her remarkable features, later to be depicted in the art of John Singer Sargent's scandalous 1884 painting Portrait of Madame X. I enjoyed this book as a light and romantic read into the luxurious life of an icon of beauty. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of...more
I wanted this book to be better. I think maybe it's because the main character, Virginie, wasn't particularly likable or hugely sympathetic. It was a fascinating time period to read about- as an American, you don't hear too much about Europe during this time.
Ultimately, I wanted to know more about Virginie and Sargent. More about Sargent, really. I know the author is limited by historical facts and the framework within which to speculate, but I came away wanting...more. Perhaps not much has bee...more
Ultimately, I wanted to know more about Virginie and Sargent. More about Sargent, really. I know the author is limited by historical facts and the framework within which to speculate, but I came away wanting...more. Perhaps not much has bee...more
Feb 13, 2012
Lorraine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
all-things-french
I continue to explore one of my favorite cities, Paris, through fiction. I broke one of my cardinal rules and selected a fictionalized biography. What a delight to dive into era with a main character, Virginie, who was larger than life with a reputation to match
Virginie was a vain glorious woman who was born prior to the Civil War and grew up on a plantation in Louisiana. She moved to Paris as a teen and the city became the playground for her glamorous persona and sexual conquests. Virginie was...more
Virginie was a vain glorious woman who was born prior to the Civil War and grew up on a plantation in Louisiana. She moved to Paris as a teen and the city became the playground for her glamorous persona and sexual conquests. Virginie was...more
This book was written by a woman whose previous works have been non-fiction biographies, and apparently, when she switched to fiction, she decided this meant she could still say she was writing about real people, but change important details of their lives. For starters, she made her main character four years older than the woman whose life she ostensibly represents, in order to be able to narrate events that happened before the family left New Orleans for Paris. (The author admits this in an au...more
The author has created for us a character who is as compelling and mysterious as the likeness of her in the famous and infamous, Portrait of Madame X. She has also provided an entertaining and illuminating look at society during the later half of the 19th century. Even without the basis of the story stemming from the actual painting, it still would have been fascinating and every bit as readable.
Through a multi-faceted view of the character, Virginie Gautreau, I gained in this novel, her portrai...more
Through a multi-faceted view of the character, Virginie Gautreau, I gained in this novel, her portrai...more
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Unfortunately, this book just wasn't that good. This was the author's first novel; I think that she should stick to biographies. Her storytelling lacked something. I never felt that she ever got into the subject's (Virginie Gatreau) head: it seemed that each chapter was one long recitative of what happened (just the facts, ma'am) without any interjections of feeling or much insight, like: "I went here. Then I went there. People weren't nice to me. I was really sad." etc. etc. The characters them...more
Great book if you are interested in art history, It gives a snapshot of Paris in the mid-to-late 19th century and the lifestyle of the bourgoise. It also includes quite a lot of plotline based around both the American civil war and the fall of Napolean also when she is living in Paris. I think most readers will enjoy being pulled in to the lavish bourgoise lifestyle and it's excesses, where beauty, money and reputation (and tabloids) were just as important to celebrities then as they are today....more
Liked Girl with a Pearl Earring? Then you'll love I Am Madame X! Gioia Diliberto's novel is the historically accurate but fictionalized account of the life of Virginie Gautreau, the subject of John Singer Sargent's famous portrait. The book is really lovely, and super quick, and I think I've established that I like historical fiction, so this is a no-brainer. Loved it! I also like books that have a Louisiana element to them (what can I say? VC Andrews did me right), and this one is set in Louisi...more
Interesting imagining of the life and loves of the woman in JS Sargent's famous painting. Louisiana-born Virginie Gautreau took Paris by storm and was a professional beauty and society woman at the top of her game when fellow American Sargent begged to paint her portrait. The narrative was superb and well-imagined, yet at the risk of coming across as a reviewer who finds three spelling errors and a wrong date and then completely pans the work, I did have a couple of quibbles with the story--most...more
I saw the Sargent painting of Madame X when it was in DC and it is quite eye-catching. Of course viewing it now there's nothing scandalous about it, but the woman's profile and the unique pose are striking. The placard next to the painting mentioned some of the drama that was associated with it - and it's shockingly draping dress strap - but that was all I knew about it.
Diliberto brings several luscious settings to life in this book, the pseudo-French aristocracy of Civil War and Reconstruction...more
Diliberto brings several luscious settings to life in this book, the pseudo-French aristocracy of Civil War and Reconstruction...more
Absolutely loved this book. I thought the story flowed so well. I love the fact that I've been to many of the cities in the book. From New Orleans to Paris and so on this book is a great creative telling of Virginie Gautreau's life and how she became Madame X. It leaves you wanting to visit the painting. I wish this was written when I went to Paris! Hope to make it to the MET (in NYC) to see the painting! I plan on making it to Boston to see a sketch-that's the closest I've got! Great read!
I really enjoyed this book. More than half of it was set in my hometown of New Roads at a plantation I have visited and know - Parlange on False River. That made the story very interesting and relavent for me.
I also like the historical fiction element. The story, although embellished by the author, is a very real one, and I think probably accurately reflects expectations of women during its time. I liked it.
I also like the historical fiction element. The story, although embellished by the author, is a very real one, and I think probably accurately reflects expectations of women during its time. I liked it.
Diliberto's fictionalized account of Virgine Pierre Gautreau is a whimsical narrative which carries the reader lightly. The story recounts the life of Virgine Gautreau and events surrounding her participation in John Singer Sargent's portrait 'Madame X.' As the title of the book indicates, the focus of the story is Madame Gautreau and while Sargent does play a key role in the story, it is never the less a supporting one.
This is a novel of historical fiction, about John Singer Sargent's model Virginie Amelie Avegno Gautreau who posed for the painting called "Portrait of Madame X" hanging in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Little survived about Madame Gautreau's life, so Diliberto developed a story based on what facts are known, plus what she imagined might have occurred. It was an interesting story of Parisian life at the end of the 19th Century, and about the famous painting, model, and artist.
I really enjoyed this book. Considering the subject matter, the author handled sex so tastefully and that is pretty rare with modern authors. The history about her and the art scene in Paris was fascinating. I've always liked this painting and the book did it justice. Totally worth the dollar I spent on it at the library book sale. Probably would have happily bought it new if I had known how good it was.
I love this subject and couldn't wait to read about this portrait. But...John Singer Sargent and the painting of this portrait do not show up until late in the book (around 170 of 245 pages). I wanted more of Madame Gautreau in French society and less of her childhood in Louisiana. I enjoyed the book but wasn't satisfied with the subject.
I loved this story - it was so interesting to read about a time period and place that isn't written about too often (Civil Wartime American-transplants in Paris). The story was never boring, and I loved the change in location and the details about architecture, "toilette" and fashions. It was true to life, yet not over the top. A quick, fun read!
While I absolutely love the portrait that inspired this book, I wasn't completely won over by the book itself. It's catagorized as historical fiction, but not much is really known about Madame X (real name: Virginie Avegno Gautreau) and I felt the author took a lot of creative license. I personally like a little more history and less fiction when reading this genre. That said, it inspired me to review my books on John Singer Sargeant, who paints such lovely portraits and I did enjoy learning mor...more
Interesting premise building on the current trend of creating stories from popular paintings. However, I felt that there were times when the story was weak and words just served to link history together. Entertaining but mediocre read. I would try this author again though.
A fast read that I really enjoyed- I love art- history - and New Orleans/France so cover a good amount of bases for me
It is fiction based on true events and I like the story line the author chose for it- She did neatly tie up the end in a bow but other than that I really liked this book
It is fiction based on true events and I like the story line the author chose for it- She did neatly tie up the end in a bow but other than that I really liked this book
I thought this book was good, it just wasn't THAT good. After reading portions of the Acknowledgements, and the author admitting she didn't have much material to work with, I felt as if she didn't use it to her full advantage. There is so much potential to be had, but yet it just wasn't there. It would have been nice to learn more about the other characters and have them more developed into the storyline. Instead, it was mostly about Mimi and her beauty. I understand that this book is based on,...more
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Gioia Diliberto is the author of five books – two historical novels and three non-fiction. She specializes in writing about women’s lives and has been a contributor to many publications, including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian, Town & Country, and Vanity Fair. She first got the idea of writing about Hadley Richardson while reading A Moveable Feast...more
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Oct 05, 2012 09:14am