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The Eyes of van Gogh
A teenager finds solace in her art — and her friends — as she struggles to escape depression in this affecting new novel by Cathryn Clinton.
After all the moves from town to town, after all her mom’s boyfriends and drinking and anger, Jude hopes things will be different in Ellenville. In her new high school, Jude starts to open up. Her art teacher admires her painting and encourages her interest in van Gogh. Soon she has two new friends and a romance that may save her from a dead-end future after all. But when life doesn’t follow her plans, Jude finds herself staring into van Gogh’s tortured eyes and seeing her own reflection. NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE, says a voice in her head. MAYBE IT WOULD BE BETTER IF YOU WEREN'T HERE. With sensitivity and insight, Cathryn Clinton looks through the eyes of a troubled teen as she moves through darkness toward a merciful glimmer of light.
After all the moves from town to town, after all her mom’s boyfriends and drinking and anger, Jude hopes things will be different in Ellenville. In her new high school, Jude starts to open up. Her art teacher admires her painting and encourages her interest in van Gogh. Soon she has two new friends and a romance that may save her from a dead-end future after all. But when life doesn’t follow her plans, Jude finds herself staring into van Gogh’s tortured eyes and seeing her own reflection. NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE, says a voice in her head. MAYBE IT WOULD BE BETTER IF YOU WEREN'T HERE. With sensitivity and insight, Cathryn Clinton looks through the eyes of a troubled teen as she moves through darkness toward a merciful glimmer of light.
- GenresYoung Adult
224 pages, Hardcover
First published June 12, 2007
36 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Clinton
5 books9 followersIt was a graduation gift many writers would envy: a contract for not one but two novels, handed by Candlewick Press editor Amy Ehrlich to Cathryn Clinton as she finished up her studies at Vermont College’s MFA program in Writing for Children. And as if that weren’t enough, the first of those two novels, THE CALLING, would earn Cathryn Clinton an article in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S "Flying Starts" section, designating her a first-time author to watch.
Like Esta Lea, her charming protagonist in THE CALLING, Cathryn Clinton grew up in the South in a long line of preachers and storytellers. "Most of the events in this book come from my family history, and Esta Lea simply put them all together in one story," the author says. Among these based-on-true-life episodes: a blind girl’s sight miraculously restored, relayed "word for word" as the author’s brother witnessed it in a charismatic church, and a slapstick burial scene. "I want to be able to say it’s okay to question, and as readers are asking those serious questions, I want them to be able to laugh, too," the author explains.
Cathryn Clinton’s second novel, A STONE IN MY HAND, also touches on elements of religion, but in a very different context: it tells the moving story of a Palestinian girl in Gaza City, 1988, whose father is killed in a bus bombing and whose brother turns to violence. "While in graduate school, I had a writing assignment to choose a picture of someone and write about that person," the author says. "In an article about Gaza in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, I saw a picture of a young Palestinian girl holding a bird in her hand. There was a look of strength in her face. This intrigued me, and I wondered how this girl had survived both internally and externally when the conditions of her growing up years were so harsh. So I sat down and began writing the story of Malaak."
Cathryn Clinton’s most recent titles, SIMEON'S FIRE and THE EYES OF VAN GOGH, are again set closer to home. In SIMEON'S FIRE, Cathryn Clinton tells a powerful coming-of-age story that takes place in an Amish community in Pennsylvania. With compassion and insight into a child’s inner struggles and the nuances of Amish traditions, Cathryn Clinton explores ideas of family, loyalty, and faith in the face of fear and prejudice. With THE EYES OF VAN GOGH, Cathryn Clinton introduces readers to Jude Barnes, who has recently moved to Ellenville, a small town outside of Philadelphia. In this affecting new novel, Judy finds solace in her art and her friends as she struggles to escape depression.
Cathryn Clinton received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Iowa and her master of fine arts degree from Vermont College.
Like Esta Lea, her charming protagonist in THE CALLING, Cathryn Clinton grew up in the South in a long line of preachers and storytellers. "Most of the events in this book come from my family history, and Esta Lea simply put them all together in one story," the author says. Among these based-on-true-life episodes: a blind girl’s sight miraculously restored, relayed "word for word" as the author’s brother witnessed it in a charismatic church, and a slapstick burial scene. "I want to be able to say it’s okay to question, and as readers are asking those serious questions, I want them to be able to laugh, too," the author explains.
Cathryn Clinton’s second novel, A STONE IN MY HAND, also touches on elements of religion, but in a very different context: it tells the moving story of a Palestinian girl in Gaza City, 1988, whose father is killed in a bus bombing and whose brother turns to violence. "While in graduate school, I had a writing assignment to choose a picture of someone and write about that person," the author says. "In an article about Gaza in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, I saw a picture of a young Palestinian girl holding a bird in her hand. There was a look of strength in her face. This intrigued me, and I wondered how this girl had survived both internally and externally when the conditions of her growing up years were so harsh. So I sat down and began writing the story of Malaak."
Cathryn Clinton’s most recent titles, SIMEON'S FIRE and THE EYES OF VAN GOGH, are again set closer to home. In SIMEON'S FIRE, Cathryn Clinton tells a powerful coming-of-age story that takes place in an Amish community in Pennsylvania. With compassion and insight into a child’s inner struggles and the nuances of Amish traditions, Cathryn Clinton explores ideas of family, loyalty, and faith in the face of fear and prejudice. With THE EYES OF VAN GOGH, Cathryn Clinton introduces readers to Jude Barnes, who has recently moved to Ellenville, a small town outside of Philadelphia. In this affecting new novel, Judy finds solace in her art and her friends as she struggles to escape depression.
Cathryn Clinton received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Iowa and her master of fine arts degree from Vermont College.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 7, 2019
While this book wasn't a stunner to me, I think for the right teen at the right time it could be beneficial. The protagonist is a teen struggling to take care of herself as her emotionally distant single mother moves them from city to city with each failed romance. The novel's pacing is good, and despite dark overtones the story ends on a hopeful note.
July 12, 2025
Mixed up 17 year old lives with single mother. Moves to a different school every 6-13 months . Jude is in her senior year of high school and makes friends at her new school in Ellenberg. Studies VanGogh and loves to sketch. Her grandma in a coma in nursing home. Interesting, quick, enjoyable read.
October 22, 2018
Personal response
In my opinion, I thought the book was a little too much like a lot of other books I have read in the past. But I did like it how they use art in the book as a way of speaking and showing emotion that some books do lack. Also I do enjoy how the book has a little romance, but not to the point too where it’s really sappy.
Summary
The book is about a girl who is really into Van Gogh and uses him for his inspiration. Her life at home is kind of rough but through time she finds out how to handle it. Art to her is a way to escape from what is bad and to express herself in a similar way that Van Gogh had done. Along the way she starts to get a crush on a guy who is in her art class, who works on a farm and loves football, but is also trying to live up to what his parents want for him in his future. There love story sadly does not last for long and they both go their separate ways. Jude decides at one point that she can’t take life anymore because of a passing of a family member and her break up so she decides that she should do what Van Gogh did. But just before she did she stopped herself just in time but got into an accident while she was trying to stop herself.
Recommendations
If a person likes art but also a likes a little romance. Also if you are into seeing a tragedy happen then end up a happy ending. Lastly if your a person who enjoys art and like to see a new way to look at it and I highly suggest this book for teens in sixth grade or higher.
In my opinion, I thought the book was a little too much like a lot of other books I have read in the past. But I did like it how they use art in the book as a way of speaking and showing emotion that some books do lack. Also I do enjoy how the book has a little romance, but not to the point too where it’s really sappy.
Summary
The book is about a girl who is really into Van Gogh and uses him for his inspiration. Her life at home is kind of rough but through time she finds out how to handle it. Art to her is a way to escape from what is bad and to express herself in a similar way that Van Gogh had done. Along the way she starts to get a crush on a guy who is in her art class, who works on a farm and loves football, but is also trying to live up to what his parents want for him in his future. There love story sadly does not last for long and they both go their separate ways. Jude decides at one point that she can’t take life anymore because of a passing of a family member and her break up so she decides that she should do what Van Gogh did. But just before she did she stopped herself just in time but got into an accident while she was trying to stop herself.
Recommendations
If a person likes art but also a likes a little romance. Also if you are into seeing a tragedy happen then end up a happy ending. Lastly if your a person who enjoys art and like to see a new way to look at it and I highly suggest this book for teens in sixth grade or higher.
September 12, 2009
This has got to be one of my favorite Sequoyah books! Wow!Jude deals with so many of the problems kids do: an inadequate mother who can't see to Jude's needs, no family history to root her to family or place, a fear of making friends, of having dreams. She has such a bristly exterior that has saved her for all these years. That all changes when she moves to E-ville...family is there, even if it's a grandmother in a coma with whom Jude has imaginary conversations, the conversations she would love to have with someone who loves her unconditionally, as a grandmother should!
In E-ville, Jude lets down her defenses...she makes friends, she had a boyfriend, she becomes involved in her art, and she finds the equally-tortured soul of Vincent Van Gogh. Through the book she pins her hopes of a normal future on the boyfriend who has other plans, not aware that she's following her mother's sad history of pinning her future on OTHERS, and not herself.
Jude sinks into a depression as she sees the world through Van Gogh's eyes and through his own depression...over and over as I read this, I was saddened that Jude has no resiliency, no inner strength to bounce back from disappointments and betrayals. I love Jude and so want her to find that core inside her that will pull her from the brink -- literally and figuratively.
I think many kids will see their own struggles to grow up whole in this book. LOVED it!
In E-ville, Jude lets down her defenses...she makes friends, she had a boyfriend, she becomes involved in her art, and she finds the equally-tortured soul of Vincent Van Gogh. Through the book she pins her hopes of a normal future on the boyfriend who has other plans, not aware that she's following her mother's sad history of pinning her future on OTHERS, and not herself.
Jude sinks into a depression as she sees the world through Van Gogh's eyes and through his own depression...over and over as I read this, I was saddened that Jude has no resiliency, no inner strength to bounce back from disappointments and betrayals. I love Jude and so want her to find that core inside her that will pull her from the brink -- literally and figuratively.
I think many kids will see their own struggles to grow up whole in this book. LOVED it!
August 22, 2025
Aug 22, 2025 Review - 3 Stars
Content: Brief and fade to Black sexual content, brief mention of cutting, Suicidal ideation and attempts
In 2008, the stigma around mental health was still so thick that finding books like this meant everything to me. Books that talked about the feelings you weren't allowed to. I've always remembered the basics of this and held it in such high regard for that. And I want to thank it for that, for what it did for me back then.
That aside. It was okay. I think if I read it for the first time now I would just say, "meh." It's a little sad I didn't feel it held up. On the fence if I keep it or not... memories and feelings verses this reads feelings.
Oct 16, 2008 Review - 5 Stars
It was an great book that I felt I could relate to quite a bit. I highly suggest this one.
Content: Brief and fade to Black sexual content, brief mention of cutting, Suicidal ideation and attempts
In 2008, the stigma around mental health was still so thick that finding books like this meant everything to me. Books that talked about the feelings you weren't allowed to. I've always remembered the basics of this and held it in such high regard for that. And I want to thank it for that, for what it did for me back then.
That aside. It was okay. I think if I read it for the first time now I would just say, "meh." It's a little sad I didn't feel it held up. On the fence if I keep it or not... memories and feelings verses this reads feelings.
Oct 16, 2008 Review - 5 Stars
It was an great book that I felt I could relate to quite a bit. I highly suggest this one.
January 28, 2020
This book takes an interesting look at mental illness, most notably depression and suicidal thoughts and ideations. Some people might disagree with this particular book, but I think it shows an actual form of depression.
Everybody leads different lives, so that means that, though there are some similarities between those who suffer from the same mental illness (depression for example) there are differences in how each person perceives and reacts to the feelings and experiences that come to them. This could be a valid look at how some people react to depression and suicidal thoughts.
This book has some disturbing content, like a suicide plan, so I would suggest that older teens and adults should read this. But the look into the gaping pain of depression is accurate, as far as it goes. If you want to know more about depression, take a look at this book.
Everybody leads different lives, so that means that, though there are some similarities between those who suffer from the same mental illness (depression for example) there are differences in how each person perceives and reacts to the feelings and experiences that come to them. This could be a valid look at how some people react to depression and suicidal thoughts.
This book has some disturbing content, like a suicide plan, so I would suggest that older teens and adults should read this. But the look into the gaping pain of depression is accurate, as far as it goes. If you want to know more about depression, take a look at this book.
October 9, 2013
Jude's story is relatable in the way the author presents Todd, who seems to be the answer to all Jude's questions. Who will ever love me? When will I feel safe? And the reoccurring question in the story- why am I here? However that hope gets pulled from under her when Todd leaves her. That feeling of false hope we all sometimes have in somone or something else...when all we ever really needed to answer those big life questions is, hope in ourselves. And that's what Jude comes to realize at the end of the story. With the help of some of the supporting charaters of course, we cannot forget the great friends she found along the way to her life changing realization. :)
June 24, 2013
This was a great, quick read that appeals to all age groups. Jude's life story is painfully realistic. The only complaint I have is that the ending is a little disappointing. I feel that the author could have elaborated a little on Jude's recovery as opposed to there being no journey, as if it happened over a few days time. Again, I would highly recommend this book to any age reader that is looking for a glimpse into a different lifestyle. That is, unless said reader lived in these conditions in which case, could relate and find hope in the story's ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2009
This was the only one of the fifteen books chosen for the Sequoyah High School Masterlist which I did not have a chance to read. It was impossible to get - even the Metropolitan Library did not have a copy. Once they received their copy I had to wait for it. It was worth the wait. A book which explores the alienation many teens feel and using suicide to relieve those feelings. This book will be a strong contender when teens vote next March for their favorite book.
May 5, 2013
This was one of my favourite books through highschool.
There were so many relateable topics, dark and otherwise. This book tied in my love of art, and got me to look at van gogh in a whole new light. Though with all the difficult trials she goes through, I wish they'd spent more time on them.
I loved it then, and still love it now. I cannot recommend it enough!
There were so many relateable topics, dark and otherwise. This book tied in my love of art, and got me to look at van gogh in a whole new light. Though with all the difficult trials she goes through, I wish they'd spent more time on them.
I loved it then, and still love it now. I cannot recommend it enough!
October 28, 2009
I was disappointed with this book because I didn't think it was deep enough. Jude had some major problems, but I feel the journey to her recovery was ignored and it just quickly resolved itslef within the last 40 pages. I need more than that.
Want to read
August 1, 2012Sequoyah Nominee: 2009-2010 (High School)
May 9, 2013
The best book ever. I've read it like four times.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews