Love Among the Artists

by George Bernard Shaw

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

Genres: Classics, Novels, Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

George Bernard Shaw stands as one of the most prolific and influential intellectuals of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a man whose literary output was matched only by his fervent commitment to social reform. Rising from a modest background in Dublin to become a global icon of letters, Shaw redefined the purpose of the stage, transforming it from a place of mere entertainment into a forum for rigorous intellectual debate and moral inquiry. His unique "Shavian" style—characterized by sharp-witted dialogue, paradoxical reasoning, and a relentless assault on Victorian hypocrisy—ensured that his voice resonated far beyond the footlights. As a playwright, critic, and philosopher, he remains a singular figure in history, being one of only two individuals to have been honored with both a Nobel Prize in Literature and an Academy Award. This rare crossover of high-art recognition and mainstream cinematic success speaks to his versatility and the enduring relevance of his narratives. His dramatic work, which includes over sixty plays, often tackled the most pressing issues of his day, from the rigid structures of the British class system to the complexities of gender roles and the ethical dilemmas of capitalism. In masterpieces like Pygmalion, he used the science of phonetics to demonstrate the artificiality of class distinctions, a theme that would later reach millions through the musical adaptation My Fair Lady. In Man and Superman, he delved into the philosophical concepts of the "Life Force" and the evolution of the human spirit, while Major Barbara forced audiences to confront the uncomfortable relationship between religious idealism and the industrial military complex. Beyond his theatrical achievements, Shaw was a foundational force in political thought, serving as a leading light of the Fabian Society. His advocacy for gradual socialist reform, rather than violent revolution, helped shape the trajectory of modern British politics and social welfare. He was instrumental in the creation of the London School of Economics, an institution that continues to influence global policy and economic theory. Shaw was also a formidable critic, whose reviews of music and drama set new standards for the profession, characterized by an uncompromising honesty and a deep knowledge of the arts. His personal lifestyle was as distinctive as his writing; a committed vegetarian, teetotaler, and non-smoker, he lived with a disciplined focus that allowed him to remain productive well into his ninth decade. He was a man of contradictions, often engaging in provocative public discourse that challenged the status quo, even when his views sparked intense controversy. His fascination with the "Superman" archetype and his occasional support for authoritarian figures reflected a complex, often elitist worldview that sought the betterment of humanity through radical intellectual evolution. Despite these complexities, his core mission was always rooted in a profound humanitarianism and a desire to expose the delusions that prevented society from progressing. He believed that the power of the written word could strip away the masks of respectability that hid social injustice, and his plays continue to be staged worldwide because the human foibles he satirized remain as prevalent today as they were during his lifetime. By blending humor with gravity and intellect with accessibility, Shaw created a body of work that serves as both a mirror and a compass for modern civilization. His legacy is not just in the scripts he left behind, but in the very way we think about the intersection of art, politics, and the individual’s responsibility to the collective good. He remains the quintessential public intellectual, a man who never feared to speak his mind or to demand that the world become a more rational and equitable place.

Reviews

[Senita Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this - beautifully written, indulgent, great character study.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay... I don't write as many reviews as I used to, and I know this one will be short. But, as my first real reading of a George Bernard Shaw (and in the 'Classics') I really did enjoy this book. I really took to his writing style - not an over-abundance of descriptive on surroundings and concentrating on the depth of some really interesting characters and interactions. And, not just 'Mr. Jack', there are some strongly portrayed female characters in this one. Sometimes it's hard to imagine the closeness of the Victorian era - probably because he doesn't dwell on surroundings - and just draws you in to the wonderful complexity of the characters.

Yes, this is a 'short' review ;)

[Mohammed Naguib · Rating 3 out of 5]

رواية ممتعة سريعة الإيقاع تبدو أشبه بمسرحية لكنها تقليدية نوعا ما تناقش صراعات الفنان مع أهله و مع الحب بطلاها جاك الفنان الموسيقي العبقري الغريب الذي لا يهتم كثيرا بمظهره الخارجي و أراء الناس ذو نبرة ساخرة تهكمية و ماري الرسامة التي تجاهد للتحرر من حب طفولي لأدريان هربت
***
3.5/5

[Keith Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. Funny. Kind-of all over the place. It didn't so much have an ending as just kind-of stop as if the book didn't really know how to end and just threw up its hands "that's it! I've had enough of this!" style.

[Bruce Crown · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can artists love each other when they are in love with their vocation? This is the question the book asks and then seeks to answer. And in a way it does.

[Baha Eddine · Rating 4 out of 5]

غراميات أهل الفن - جورج برنارد شو
برنارد شو ، صحافي ، ناقد ، روائي ، أديب وكاتب مسرحي ، درس الرسم و الموسيقى و النحت و الخطابة . ولد لعائلة عرفت برغد العيش و ترفه ، حصل شو على جائوة نوبل في الأدب عام 1925 ، وجائزة الأوسكار لأفضل سيناريو عن روايته ( بيغماليون ) في عام 1938 ، عرف شو بخفة دمه حتى في أصعب المواقف التي مر بها ، كما ان الطبيعة النقدية و الجرأة في تناول المواضيع الاجتماعية هي أبرز ما عف عن شو بدون الحديث عن الطبيعة الساخرة التي عرفت به كتابته ، من انصار المذهب الطبيعي ( نباتي ، لا يشرب ، لا يدخن ... ) ، كما عرف عنه حبه لرياضة تسلق الأشجار ليتوفى على أثر إصابته في حوضه بعد ايام عام 1950 .
جاك موسيقي يعاني من الفقر و عدم اتاحة المجال له ليظهر مواهبه في وسط فني برجوازي في المقام الأول لا ينظر لمن هو في حاله ، إضافة إلى طباعه الحادة في التعامل مع الناس ، ينتقل جاك إلى بيت أحد البرجوازيين كمدرس لأبنه لكنه لا يقيم طويلا بسبب تصرفاته ونزعته التحررية و نقده لكل ماحوله بكل صراحة ، ليشكل بعدها شبكة من العلاقات في المجتمع البريطاني الثري تخوله ليقدم احدى سينفونياته في أحدى دور الأوبرا الكبيرة ليبزغ بعدها نجمه ... في المجمل القصة تدور حول جاك و الصعوبات التي يعانيها في المجال الفني الاقصائي الذي يعتمد المظهر و المركز الأجتماعي شرطا أساسيا ... إضافة إلى ميل الناس إلى النفاق و الماجملة و التي يخالفها تماما جاك بمعاملته الفضة مع الناس .... جاك هو روح الفن الحقيقي المبدع المتحرر من كل القيود الأجتماعية التي تفرض على الفنان أن يقوض خياله وابداعه ... أضافة إلى ابراز نقطة صراع الاجيال بين الكبيرة و الصغيرة و محاولة الاجيال الكبيرة تحطيم طموحات الصغيرة منها ، سواء كان هذا بسلطة ابوية أو بسلطة مالية او حتى زوجية ، يخرج لنا برنارد شو في هذا النص الروائي الرائع الأشبه بالمسرحي في بعض الحوارات .... مفاهيم جديدة في العلاقات الاجتماعية المعقدة و تناقضتها بين حب الابناء و حب المركز .... بين الفخر بما يقدمون وبين محاولة إرضاء الطبقة الاجتماعية ، في مجتمع ضربت فيه كل المفاهيم ... الموسيقى ... الرسم ... وحتى الحب ... مجتمع يعاني من التميع و الزيف و إفراغ الاشياء من معانيها و المتضرر الوحيد هو الفن .

[Krishna · Rating 1 out of 5]

A rather unpleasant read.

Characters are continously quarreling in the most displeasing manner, and if they aren't at each other's throat and staging big drama, then they are discussing the nature of art in a pseudo-philosophic way for a change.
Like "women have a stance towards art, the way men are inclined towards love; they are both able to separate their private life and their art/love life. Women, however, are married to the concept of love, whereas men are married to the concept of art and if you turn your back on art, then you are also turning your back on me, your fiancé", which is a rough summary of one of those tedious "intellectual" conversations between Mary and her painter-lover Adrian. Drama, as I said.
Nonetheless, Mary along with some other women, is a very strong female character, and rather modernly portrayed.

The ending is rather sudden. Sudden in the sense of "pick one of the 500+ pages and decide on any to be the ending", which would serve just as well.

A book full of negative vibes, negative language, negative behaviour and narcissists. There is too much of that in real life already to make it worthwhile reading about it in such a condensed and yet superficial manner, as well. No recommendation.

[Celina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book I read a review that called the book something along the lines of ‘frivolous nonsense’; however, I quite disagree with such a claim. George Bernard Shaw provided, in his novel, an excellent representation of the intricate nature of social norms and expectations during the late 19th Century England. The story follows many different artistic professions and proficients as they make their way through the highly turbulent industry and the constant critique from society. Bernard Shaw illuminates the human desire to be and see more and to unflinchingly follow your heart’s desire. He speaks to the fortunate pairings (often people, music, art or the stage) or in other cases, the fragile and disappointing relationships (most often people and expectations) that constitute such a large part of our heart, mind and soul. I truly enjoyed this novel, and should you be a hopeless romantic, innately artistic or desire a different yet familiar world (I’m almost certain that everyone would be one of those), then this novel would provide such an escape.

[Xena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! The characters are quite distinct and memorable. I could imagine each of them. The novel is filled with music and beautiful descriptions that paint their mad world together. Artists falling in love evokes philosophical questions regarding who would make a better partner for us. Should we marry those who share our interests or the ones who make us the most comfortable? Should we simply remain friends and never marry those who appreciate art and culture as we do? Does marriage hinder our artistic ambition? To what extent can we love a person like we love art? So much to discuss, and this novel succeeds in bringing forth these matters. It is both serious and comical. The dialogue is flawless and brilliant. Of course, it would be. Shaw is nothing less than a genius.

[Dystopian Mayhem · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot of this book is the mother of unpredictability! The work is genius and the style is intriguing and funny. Shaw states in the preface of this book that the reader might not like the book but I really liked it, it is unconventional kind of romance but this was surprisingly refreshing. My only complaint is that my favorite character in this book -Jack- didn’t get a happy ending, a new character -which was sprung on us out of nowhere- prevented the outcome that I was hoping for.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for embarrassingly typo-filled digital version- -not- "understandable" in the volunteer Gutenberg version (volunteer work IS WORK and ought to be done responsibly), even less in this or the other versions which use basically the same transcribed text and also charge. Terrific novel though especially for this music lover.

[Mohamed Saeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

رواية سريعة الإيقاع ومركزة ، كل سطر وكل كلمة لها أهمية في بنية الرواية. في صفحات قليلة يناقش برنارد شو أكثر من فكرة اجتماعية وفلسفية ، ما بين الحب الحقيقي والحب الطفولي ، صراعات الفنان مع نفسه ومجتمعه ، فكرة المجتمع عن الفن وأهله التي لا تتغير بتغير الزمن ، صراع الأب بين حبه لابنته وخوفه من العار التي ستجلبه للعائلة بعد امتهانها التمثيل.

[Jon MacRunnel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, more Owen Jack!

[Lorna · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unsubtle take on the world of society and artists. The book patronisingly rather than ironically suggests that true artists live on a different plane from mere mortals and therefore cannot love. A sprawling book with some interestingly drawn characters, but overall a forgettable book, especially in comparison to others (Fitzgerald, Woolfe) that are much more interesting.

[The Bookshop Umina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Monday and Tuesday Night Book Clubs read this and we have a very interesting discussion about life at the time, characters who are difficult to like and what it means to be an artist.

We gave it 6/7/5/7/3/6/4/6/6

[Amy Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried and tried but struggled to get to the end. Quite boring, really.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a handful of artists (painters, musicians, poets) during the Victorian era. More feminist than most novels written by males, especially at that time.

[Moataz · Rating 3 out of 5]

إستمتعت بالرواية، وإن كانت لا تستحق كثيرا شهرتها.

[Mariam Elgilany · Rating 4 out of 5]

رواية كلاسكسية لقيتها نسخة سنة 1957 بتلاتة جنيه
بتتكلم عن صراع الاجيال بين الاباء والابناء
جدا استمتعت باسلوبها وبالترجمة

[Lou Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one!