One Madder Woman

by Dede Crane

A memorable and clandestine love story between two visionary artists in 19th-century Paris.

"These madmen -- and one madder woman -- paint as if suffering seizures! One cannot make heads or tails of the work without taking ten paces back."

In One Madder Woman, Dede Crane vividly recreates the life of Berthe Morisot, the sole female member of the renowned group of artists known as the Impressionists. Inspired by true events, One Madder Woman charts her complicated relationship with her sister and rival, Edma, and her tumultuous love affair with Édouard Manet, the charismatic enfant terrible of the Paris Salon, against a backdrop of upheaval and war in mid-19th-century Paris.

One Madder Woman illuminates the stories behind familiar masterpieces, and sketches a life teeming with obstacles defied and conquered by the genius of Morisot. At a time when art was a space completely dominated by men, Morisot upends all expectations of what a "proper woman" should be and manages to carve out her own place in the art world. Crane's rich prose and lyrical expression bring this revolutionary artistic period to life, in vivid and glorious colour.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Canada, Contemporary, Art

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

Dede Crane is the author of the literary novel Sympathy, which was a finalist for the Victoria Butler Book Prize. She has also published the teen novel, The 25 Pains of Kennedy Baines. Her first published story, “Seers,” appeared in Grain magazine and was short listed for the CBC Literary Award; she has since been published in numerous literary journals.

Dede has also co-edited, with author Lisa Moore, a collection of non-fiction stories about the experience of giving birth. She is currently working on a second teen novel, Poster Boy. A former professional ballet dancer and choreographer, Dede Crane has studied Buddhist psychology and psychokinetics at Naropa Institute in Colorado and the Body-Mind Institute in Amherst, Massachusetts. She currently calls Victoria, B.C. home.

From the Author:

I started writing because of a bad back. No longer able to dance and choreograph but still pregnant with creative energy, words became my new, untrained limbs. Though not a word person by instinct, I did have a connection to the world of storytelling. I had always been an excellent daydreamer. I could keep a daydream going all day, go to sleep and wake up and begin where I left off. And these imagined worlds were equally as vivid as the so called real one.

Going from being such a physical person to a sedentary writer (also hard on the back) was a big change but it was time, I think, to give my voice its due. Moving to Vancouver Island was the final other catalyst. There was something about the power of the land here, in particular the trees, that urged voice. I know this may sound strange but unlike the east coast where the forest isn't wild anymore, the trees here still have stories to tell. And they want them told. I will also add that I love being around writers. Writers are sexy.

Reviews

[mcarp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book! The portrait of Berthe Morisot is penetrating, tender and insightful. I found myself deeply moved by this dedicated, passionate, loving and gloriously human protagonist, and mesmerized by the portrayal of France in the 19th century. I felt like I could reach out and touch it. The relentless patriarchy, daily comedies of manners, and the stultifying rigidity of the art establishment of the times kept me fascinated, engaged and indignant from beginning to end. At its heart, One Madder Woman is a love story-Berthe's love for Manet, for herself, for her art, and for her family. For all of the suffering, conflict and outrage, this book is just brimming with love and human goodness.
Amazing....can't recommend it highly enough.

[Jean Pendziwol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite read of 2021 so far. Gorgeously written, this biographical novel about Berthe Morisot has art, beauty, history, romance... it ticks all the boxes. So little is known about the only female member of the Impressionist pioneers, and Dede Crane did a wonderful job bringing her to life. Highly recommend.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really wonderful book that I’ve been savouring over the last couple of weeks. I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but this one was so well done and so interesting in its story of Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot and her contemporaries.

[Lauraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating fictional account of the life of the Impresssionist artist Berthe Morisot and her temptatious relationship with Édouard Manet.

[Taylor Simard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me really long to read this book (though the goodreads start date is inaccurate lol) but I really loved it. The author walks the line between art/art history and fiction with characters for contemporary audiences so well. They developed so naturally, and while the ending wasn’t necessarily a perfect fiction ending, it was a realistic one. I don’t usually read first person books, but this one is done so so well; it’s the type of first person where you can absolutely see and notice the narrators biases if you look closely enough, and it just lends so much more to the story to have it so thoroughly clouded by Berthe’s opinions. She just grows so strongly in her society and I think she’s awesome and I learnt so much about the impressionists and it is totally the vibe for a silly lil art history student like me :)

[Stephanie AM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved this!

[Gisela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. The gorgeous prose and rich detail brought 19th-century France to life in a way that I had never experienced before. And how fascinating it was to learn the back stories of so many famous Impressionist paintings, some of which I have had the thrill of seeing in person. Very highly recommended.

[Sandra Garibotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of the love between historical artists. Anyone who loves art history would love this book but it’s a wonderful love story. Excellent example of how feminism existed in all times!!

[Richard Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Madder Woman is an engaging novel about the Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot, told from Berthe’s perspective. Two parallel challenges run through the story. One was Berthe’s struggle for recognition as an emerging Impressionist artist because she was a woman. The other challenge was having her love for Edouard Monet reciprocated in a way that she wanted. These struggles are contextualized by the socio-political milieu in France in the latter half of the 19th century and the Franco-Prussian war.

What is particularly unique about the novel is the reference to numerous works of art, and Berthe’s involvement with them. These painting are identified by name, artist, and page number in the novel which allows readers to see copies on the internet, or in person for those in art galleries. This aspect of the novel provides additional meaning and context to the text and enlivens the painting themselves.

Works of art are created in the moment by individuals with feelings, thoughts, and goals related to others. In this novel, the reader gets to experience these related to a significant corpus of art. Thank you, Dede Crane.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like it has been a while since I have read a good art history historical fiction, but this was a good re-introduction into this sub-genre. In my mind a good art history historical fiction has the ability to bring the senses the life while also getting inside the artistic process in a way that 'shows and doesn't tell'. Crane did a masterful job on both of these fronts, making her story in itself feel like an Impressionist painting. Her sympathetic portrayal of Morisot invited my curiosity about this under-appreciated figure in art history, and re-acquainted me with an understanding of just how revolutionary the Impressionists were. I always get nervous about portrayals of real historical figures and I wondered if Crane was reaching in to sensational territory in her depiction of the relationship between Manet and Morisot. Quick research suggested perhaps, but I don't think she necessarily played too fast and lose with the history and the intensity of Manet's portraits of Morisot certainly suggest a certain intimacy. Close to a five star read for me.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our book club chose this book based on a member's recommendation. It did not disappoint. Dede Crane immerses us in the world of early impressionist painting in France. We are given a vivid portrait of the stifling life of bourgeois women -- especially if they, like Berthe Morisot, hope to paint and have independent lives. Her characters are vivid, descriptions compelling, plot vivacious and we all agreed that this book needs far more attention than it has received thus far. The way she took tiny interstices and expanded them with tangible findings from art, history, and documents, to imagine a full new truth for the life of Berthe and her companions and family was simply transporting. As she explained, it was like putting a lot of puzzle pieces together. That sounds a bit trite, but the reading of her intricate creation felt wonderful.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way the art was woven into the story. So many paintings brought to life! I thought some of the pacing was uneven and was disappointed that the story of Berthe Morisot’s work was really told only in relation to others, primarily Manet. I would have loved more at the end about her involvement with the Cooperative and the development of her art after Manet’s death.

[Ann McGoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dede Crane spent 10 years researching this book and it shows. It is about the only female impressionist Berthe Morisot. Painting, family relationships, lovers and politics of the time are woven together to create a beautiful, intriguing and historically based novel. A list of paintings referenced in the book can be referred to and doing this while reading elevates one's experience.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A knowledge of Impressionism may be required for full appreciation. Story of Berthe Morisot and her illicit love for Edouard Manet. The Grand Salon and the Salon des Refusés. Berthe, the only female artist who is classed as ‘one madder woman’ by critics when she takes part in a cooperative show with Degas, Manet, Renoir, Pissarro and Monet.

[Suzanne]

I wonderful book and well researched. A great story about a fascinating woman and a fascinating time- really enjoyed it!

[Caitlin Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this fictional re-telling of the life of Berthe Morisot, the female Impressionist who was pushing the boundaries of the art world at a time when its doors were all but closed to women. Masterfully written.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read! Loved every minute of the book

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

she writes like a painting. some of the most beautiful prose i’ve read in a long time.