Rodin's Lover: A Novel

by University of Cambridge Heather Webb

A mesmerizing tale of art and passion in Belle Epoque France

As a woman, aspiring sculptor Camille Claudel has plenty of critics, especially her ultra-traditional mother. But when Auguste Rodin makes Camille his apprentice-and his muse-their passion inspires groundbreaking works. Yet, Camille's success is overshadowed by her lover's rising star, and her obsessions cross the line into madness.

Rodin's Lover brings to life the volatile love affair between one of the era's greatest artists and a woman entwined in a tragic dilemma she cannot escape.

• ISBN10: 0142181757
• ISBN13: 9780142181751
• Publish Date: 27 January 2015
• Publish Status: Inactive
• Out of Print: 7 January 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Plume
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780142181751

Reviews

[Lianne]

I received a copy of this novel as part of a book blog tour that I participated in. This review in its entirety was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2015/01/19/review-rodins-lover-excerpt-giveaway/

I was drawn to the character of Camille and the story from the first page. The first chaper really set up everything nicely with regards to Camille’s life: her passion for art and to create, her lack of interest in social conventions, her situation with her mother. It’s an intense uphill battle for Camille: she has the talent and the passion, but in a profession dominated by men and a society dictated by certain social conventions, she really has to prove herself. Which in part makes the later tragedy all the more painful to read.

The focus on the creative process, the art, was wonderful to read and a little reminiscent of Robin Oliveira’s I Always Loved You. It’s great to read a historical fiction title focusing on sculptors for a change as it’s obviously a different medium but any creative person can relate to some of the general processes involved in the creation process.

The other characters who populate the novel were interesting in their own way and added to Camille’s story. I enjoyed all of the character interactions, and the constant push-pull relationship between Rodin and Camille was just mesmerising to read. You can tell they love each other and are just completely consumed by the other, but there’s just so many things going on in their relationship–their love, their passion, their work, their reputations, gender politics–it’s just so complex one wonders if it could ever truly work out.

Rodin’s Lover is a mesmerising historical fiction title. It’s wonderfully well-written and I cared for all of the characters. I highyly recommend this novel if you’re a reader of historical fiction, like novels with an independent and decisive female character, and have an interest in art, sculptures, and the Belle Epoque period.