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1: In love with this book
As an artist, I have to say, I have fallen in love with this book. Ms. Vreeland has conceived a beautiful palette of color and harmony with her characterizations and her stories behind this painting.
I feel like I am right there with this group, posing for this painting. My hat is off to you Ms. Vreeland. You have achieved a masterpiece with this book. Your knowledge of the artistic process is exceptional. You capture the time period so well. How did you manage to get inside the head of Renoir so fully? Thank you. I am finding this book completely inspirational to my own creative process. It makes me feel not so alone when I also reach a moment when things are not quite right and I have to rework sections of paintings. You are brilliant and so is this book. I love it!
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2: Bo-ring
I have to admit I'm not a big fan of this author. But our book club chose this title, and I always finish what we read. This time, however, I couldn't. I just never got into it. The concept was good but the writing wasn't engaging.
I love the painting. I was psyched to read the book, and then go down to the Phillips Collection in DC where it hangs--I haven't been there in years. I'll still get there sometime, but now there isn't any urgency.
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3: A picture is worth a thousand words
Luncheon of the Boating Party is recommended for reader's interested in or familiar with the impressionist movement. The inclusion of Renoir's famous painting on the book jacket will have the reader flipping between the story and the cover. The book is a wonderful slice of Parisian life that most tourist never have an opportunity to experience. Unfortunately the plot can be slow moving and the reader may find herself skimming to get to the next bit of action. Overall, informative and enjoyable but not a page turning read.
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4: Vastly over-rated- don't waste your time
My book club read this book and I was incredibly disappointed by it as were most of the members of the club. The writing is dull and uninspired and there is not enough background about the characters in the book (particularly the other artists). The book sorely needs a prologue or preface with general background about the Impressionists and some facts about the major artists and their relationship with one another.
Even though I knew this information already, being very familiar with Impressionist art and artists, I still found the book hard to follow and really dull. It didn't even start to pick up until halfway through the book when there is finally a human interest story between Aline and Alphonsine. I was very disappointed in this book and it is a total mystery to me why it is a best seller. I have an advanced degree in literature and I know good writing when I see it. This is not it. This book is not worth your time.
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5: Boating Party a Luxury Cruise
This has to be one of the best books about the Impressionists I have read in quite awhile, and I have read several. It captures the inner struggles of an artist perfectly. The characters are drawn beautifully in words. I highly recommend it.
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