Two Faces of Love: Lust for Life / Immortal Wife

by Irving Stone

Two Faces of Lust for Life and Immortal Wife is a novel by Irving Stone that explores the lives of two women who were integral to the life and work of the famous artist, Vincent van Gogh. Lust for Life tells the story of van Gogh's relationship with his muse and lover, the prostitute Sien Hoornik. Immortal Wife, on the other hand, focuses on van Gogh's sister-in-law, Johanna Bonger, who was instrumental in preserving and promoting his artwork after his death. The two novels are interwoven, with each chapter alternating between the two women's stories. Through their experiences, the reader gains insight into van Gogh's personal and artistic struggles, as well as the challenges faced by women in the late 19th century. Lust for Life delves into the passionate and tumultuous relationship between van Gogh and Sien, who was a source of inspiration for many of his most famous paintings. The novel explores the societal pressures and stigmas faced by prostitutes in the 1800s, and the difficulties of maintaining a relationship between two people from vastly different backgrounds. In Immortal Wife, the focus shifts to Johanna Bonger, who married van Gogh's brother after the artist's death. Johanna dedicated her life to preserving her brother-in-law's artwork and promoting his legacy, despite facing opposition from her own family and the art establishment. The novel also touches on the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated society, as Johanna fights to assert her authority and protect van Gogh's legacy. Overall, Two Faces of Lust for Life and Immortal Wife is a compelling and insightful exploration of the women behind one of the world's most famous artists. Through their stories, the reader gains a deeper understanding of van Gogh's life and work, as well as the societal pressures and challenges faced by women in the late 19th century.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

768 pages, paper

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

In 1923, Stone received his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. In the 1960s, Stone received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Southern California, where he had previously earned a Masters Degree from the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.

When at home, Stone relied upon the research facilities and expertise made available to him by Esther Euler, head research librarian of the University of California at Los Angeles, to whom he dedicated and thanked, in addition to many others, in several of his works.

Stone enjoyed a long marriage to his wife and editor on many of his works, Jean Stone. The Stones lived primarily in Los Angeles, California. During their lifetime, Stone and his wife funded a foundation to support charitable causes they believed in.

Stone's main source for Lust for Life, as noted in the afterword, were Van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo. It seems probable that Vincent's letters to and from his own brother Theo provided a foundation for Adversary in the House. Stone additionally did much of his research "in the field". For example, he spent many years living in Italy while working on The Agony and the Ecstasy. The Italian government lauded Stone with several honorary awards during this period for his cultural achievements highlighting Italian history.

From Wikipedia

Reviews

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lust For Life:-

This artist needs no introduction, and this work is the most comprehensive one you can find about his life's journey of creation and sufferings.
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Immortal Wife is yet another of this worthy writer's good works, and after three decades or so of having read it I don't remember the story - only that I have read it and liked it as all other works of this writer.

[Carol Shick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only read Lust for Life. Great historical novel about the unfortunate life of a crazed artist.