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Starry Night
On the evening of July 27th, 1890, Vincent van Gogh, aiming for his heart, shot himself with a revolver. He missed.
Today, Vincent van Gogh is considered one of history's most brilliant artists, revered by millions the world over. However, he sold only one painting in his lifetime, spent years in insane asylums, and died penniless in a garret. Haunted by his failures, riddled with addiction, and debilitated by mental illness, van Gogh eventually took his own life.
In this innovative first novel, best-selling author Orion Taraban explores the final days of this tragic figure from the perspective of those most his brother and caretaker, Theo, his friend and physician, Paul Gachet, and Vincent himself.
Take this unique opportunity to see the world through Vincent's eyes. Once you read Starry Night, you won't look at life the same way again.
Orion Taraban, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice. His YouTube channel (@PsycHacks) has nearly 1 million subscribers and 200 million views, and his many media appearances have established him as a thought leader in popular psychology. He is also the best-selling author of The Value of Others, which examines his model of intersexual relationship dynamics. He currently lives in Napa, California.
Today, Vincent van Gogh is considered one of history's most brilliant artists, revered by millions the world over. However, he sold only one painting in his lifetime, spent years in insane asylums, and died penniless in a garret. Haunted by his failures, riddled with addiction, and debilitated by mental illness, van Gogh eventually took his own life.
In this innovative first novel, best-selling author Orion Taraban explores the final days of this tragic figure from the perspective of those most his brother and caretaker, Theo, his friend and physician, Paul Gachet, and Vincent himself.
Take this unique opportunity to see the world through Vincent's eyes. Once you read Starry Night, you won't look at life the same way again.
Orion Taraban, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice. His YouTube channel (@PsycHacks) has nearly 1 million subscribers and 200 million views, and his many media appearances have established him as a thought leader in popular psychology. He is also the best-selling author of The Value of Others, which examines his model of intersexual relationship dynamics. He currently lives in Napa, California.
- GenresFiction
99 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2026
33 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 16, 2026
The author repeatedly frames relationships through dominance hierarchies and evolutionary determinism, presenting gender roles as biologically fixed and emotionally transactional. WOMEN are described less as individuals and more as archetypes motivated primarily by hypergamy, status calibration, and instinctual mating strategies. The nuance of culture, personality, trauma, or moral agency is largely absent.
For a book that gestures toward psychology… it leans heavily on pop-evolutionary explanations without meaningful engagement with contemporary research. Claims about female mate selection and male value are presented as near-axiomatic truths, yet there’s little acknowledgment of counter-evidence or social complexity. The author seems to hold a grudge against women at a personal level … nothing else sensed here.
What’s most disappointing is the tone. There’s a persistent undercurrent of condescension toward women’s emotional interiority — as if vulnerability, attachment needs, or romantic idealism are merely strategic maneuvers rather than human experiences. The framing feels less like inquiry and more like rationalization for personal resentment.
The aesthetic language (cosmic metaphors, night imagery, philosophical references) attempts to elevate the material, but it ends up functioning as camouflage for what is essentially a manosphere ideology repackaged in softer prose.
Readers looking for genuine insight into intimacy, attachment, or modern relationships will likely find the book reductive and emotionally narrow. Men objectively falling in the category of “incels” would probably find this book enjoyable because if you’re seeking confirmation of adversarial gender narratives, you’ll feel validated. If you’re seeking depth, you’ll just laugh at this BS.
For a book that gestures toward psychology… it leans heavily on pop-evolutionary explanations without meaningful engagement with contemporary research. Claims about female mate selection and male value are presented as near-axiomatic truths, yet there’s little acknowledgment of counter-evidence or social complexity. The author seems to hold a grudge against women at a personal level … nothing else sensed here.
What’s most disappointing is the tone. There’s a persistent undercurrent of condescension toward women’s emotional interiority — as if vulnerability, attachment needs, or romantic idealism are merely strategic maneuvers rather than human experiences. The framing feels less like inquiry and more like rationalization for personal resentment.
The aesthetic language (cosmic metaphors, night imagery, philosophical references) attempts to elevate the material, but it ends up functioning as camouflage for what is essentially a manosphere ideology repackaged in softer prose.
Readers looking for genuine insight into intimacy, attachment, or modern relationships will likely find the book reductive and emotionally narrow. Men objectively falling in the category of “incels” would probably find this book enjoyable because if you’re seeking confirmation of adversarial gender narratives, you’ll feel validated. If you’re seeking depth, you’ll just laugh at this BS.
February 23, 2026
Given his content and his other book “The Value of Others”, I was very intrigued when I heard he was venturing into fiction, Vincent Van Gogh no less. I have to say I didn’t know what to expect but I wasn’t disappointed.
The exploration of each character and the impact this situation had on each of them was quite profound, you could see the author’s psychology background in that aspect - Theo and Gatchet in particular were quite compelling. The final chapter, from Vincent’s point of view in his dying moments was presented very well - the voices of others coming in and out, the feelings of regret and finally the acceptance. What stood out here more than that was the formatting of it in the paperback version of the book, it really brings it all together
Overall a solid short book - 7.5/10
The exploration of each character and the impact this situation had on each of them was quite profound, you could see the author’s psychology background in that aspect - Theo and Gatchet in particular were quite compelling. The final chapter, from Vincent’s point of view in his dying moments was presented very well - the voices of others coming in and out, the feelings of regret and finally the acceptance. What stood out here more than that was the formatting of it in the paperback version of the book, it really brings it all together
Overall a solid short book - 7.5/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
Orion Taraban does not disappoint.
With Starry Night, he further confirms why he’s one of my favorite authors to follow. At this point, I’d read or watch anything he puts out, not out of blind admiration, but because his work consistently delivers.
What stands out is how calmly and clearly he explores ideas that are uncomfortable or controversial, without sensationalism or easy answers. He trusts the reader’s intelligence and lets the ideas breathe.
Thoughtful, restrained, and quietly challenging. Exactly what I’ve come to expect from Taraban.
With Starry Night, he further confirms why he’s one of my favorite authors to follow. At this point, I’d read or watch anything he puts out, not out of blind admiration, but because his work consistently delivers.
What stands out is how calmly and clearly he explores ideas that are uncomfortable or controversial, without sensationalism or easy answers. He trusts the reader’s intelligence and lets the ideas breathe.
Thoughtful, restrained, and quietly challenging. Exactly what I’ve come to expect from Taraban.
March 29, 2026
A brilliant premise. It takes Van gogh 2 days to die after a failed suicide attempt. this book looks at some people close to him around this time, and also reflects on the incident itself from Vincent's perspective.
it is poetic and unconventional in tone which I found very enjoyable. A work of part fiction part fact provides room for some creative license that adds to the atmosphere.
I really enjoyed this and felt some parrellels in the punchy writing of hemmingway.
it is poetic and unconventional in tone which I found very enjoyable. A work of part fiction part fact provides room for some creative license that adds to the atmosphere.
I really enjoyed this and felt some parrellels in the punchy writing of hemmingway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2026
I liked Orion's approach to mixed angles as narrated by different people but some "actors" were questionable tbh (that little girl) and I couldn't read Vincent's chatter, it was beyond me.
And the beginning of this novel hits very hard, I am not sure what the intention was but that dressing of his language was very difficult to swallow.
Why use that language?
It vanishes later on but the very beginning makes you feel subpar to the content you are about to chew on
And the beginning of this novel hits very hard, I am not sure what the intention was but that dressing of his language was very difficult to swallow.
Why use that language?
It vanishes later on but the very beginning makes you feel subpar to the content you are about to chew on
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2026
Interesting and beautiful. The last pages from Van Gogh perspective as he was dying was very poetic.
February 11, 2026
highly recommend
Amazing book highly recommended it amazing read profound! Please read it through it will help you think differently which is always good!
Amazing book highly recommended it amazing read profound! Please read it through it will help you think differently which is always good!
March 8, 2026
Beautifully Told and Deeply Human
Starry Night is a thoughtful and moving look into Vincent van Gogh’s final days. Orion Taraban does a great job showcasing Vincent’s life, struggles, and inner world in a way that feels human and deeply empathetic. I appreciated the psychological depth and the way each perspective added to the story. A powerful, engaging read.
Starry Night is a thoughtful and moving look into Vincent van Gogh’s final days. Orion Taraban does a great job showcasing Vincent’s life, struggles, and inner world in a way that feels human and deeply empathetic. I appreciated the psychological depth and the way each perspective added to the story. A powerful, engaging read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews