Big Books of 2026

Interview

I recently did an interview about the writing of "Monet & Oscar" that you might find interesting.
https://www.nownovel.com/blog/author-...
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Published on July 21, 2021 13:07
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message 1: by John (new)
Jul 22, 2021 10:32PM

John Nackley This is a good review and here is why. When I started this book I was simply curious as to whether an art story would interest me. In the end I was in love with the characters and felt that not only had my art interest been satisfied, but I had been enlightened by reading the book. Monet and Oscar is the story of Oscar Bonhomme’s personal quest, a love story, and a story of family on several levels. I liked the book for making those stories interesting and compelling, and simultaneously enriching my knowledge of the art history of that time. The author, Joe Byrd has researched his subjects and the Impressionist period well. He brings history alive in his characters and their tales. One learns of Impressionism, the life and times of its main instigator: Claude Monet, and social milieu when it occurred. He does a wonderful job of building the scene on the pages as if painting a canvas. You see Giverny, France, as Monet had wanted it seen. The author’s research of the area and Monet’s home is meticulous. You are there.
I had little knowledge of art history, but enjoyed learning of the relationships of Claude Monet, Pierre Renoir, George Clemenceau, and Geofrey Durand-Ruel in context of the history in those times and the story’s characters. Also, well told is the generational struggle between the pre WWI Victorian mores and the libertine Roaring Twenties attitudes. The author keeps the human element in every scene of the book, and has you pulling for its heroes to the very end. Definitely, this is an enjoyable and simultaneously enlightening book of pleasure. Don’t pass it up.
John N.


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