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With Violets
Paris in the 1860 a magnificent time of expression, where brilliant young artists rebel against the stodginess of the past to freely explore new styles of creating—and bold new ways of living. Passionate, beautiful, and utterly devoted to her art, Berthe Morisot is determined to be recognized as an important painter. But as a woman, she finds herself sometimes overlooked in favor of her male counterparts—Monet, Pissarro, Degas. And there is one great artist among them who captivates young Berthe like none the celebrated genius Édouard Manet. A mesmerizing, breathtaking rogue—a shameless roué, undeterred and irresistible—his life is a wildly overgrown garden of scandal. He becomes Berthe's mentor, her teacher. . . her lover, despite his curiously devoted marriage to his frumpy, unappealing wife, Suzanne, and his many rumored dalliances with his own models. For a headstrong young woman from a respectable family, an affair with such an intoxicating scoundrel can only spell heartbreak and ruin. But Berthe refuses to resign herself to the life of quiet submission that Society has dictated for her. Undiscouraged, she will create her own destiny. . . and confront life—and love—on her own terms.
307 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
14 people are currently reading
2212 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Robards
1 book15 followersElizabeth Robards formerly lived in France and has studied art and writing. She earned a degree in journalism only to realize reporting "just the facts" bored her silly. She is now doing what she loves most - writing contemporary and historical women's fiction full time. She loves to travel, and when she can't, her imagination transports her all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
October 8, 2016
I am so sick of female characters starting out strong and becoming weak because of a man. Even though a love story between Morisot and Manet sounds romantic, I prefer to see her as a founder of Impressionism and a strong feminist instead of a love sick puppy.
March 3, 2020
Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was described as one of “the three great ladies” of Impressionism alongside Marie Bracquemond and Mary Cassatt (I Always Loved You by Robin Oliveira).
“Paris in the 1860s: a magnificent time of expression, where brilliant young artists rebel against the stodginess of the past to freely explore new styles of creating – and bold new ways of living.”
1868: While studying the Italian painters at Louvre, Berthe Morisot meets Edouard Manet. It gives her so much hope at the age of 27, which is already considered long past marriageable age. Only to be crushed, when she finds out he is married.
When asked to pose for him, Berthe’s mother is appalled as she is not a common model. But Berthe finds it hard to resist Manet. When Manet and Degas make arrangements for a show independent of the Salon, she offers her help.
Then a war with Prussia forces many artists to pick up guns instead of paintbrushes. Some escape to London. Manet insists on Morisot family to leave Paris for safety. But they resist.
The war even further tests the relationship between Manet and Berthe. She finds consolation by corresponding with her friend Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, who has feelings for her, but for her it’s pure friendship.
The author beautifully paints a portrait of a complex and very talented woman who refuses to bend to the 19th century convention. The feelings, the pain of broken heart and frustration are very real; well-presented.
Berthe Morisot became one of the world’s greatest artists, but her paintings through which she achieved the fame did not come through in this story. Even though, this is the part I’m missing in this story, I still have enjoyed the storyline and the prose tremendously.
“Paris in the 1860s: a magnificent time of expression, where brilliant young artists rebel against the stodginess of the past to freely explore new styles of creating – and bold new ways of living.”
1868: While studying the Italian painters at Louvre, Berthe Morisot meets Edouard Manet. It gives her so much hope at the age of 27, which is already considered long past marriageable age. Only to be crushed, when she finds out he is married.
When asked to pose for him, Berthe’s mother is appalled as she is not a common model. But Berthe finds it hard to resist Manet. When Manet and Degas make arrangements for a show independent of the Salon, she offers her help.
Then a war with Prussia forces many artists to pick up guns instead of paintbrushes. Some escape to London. Manet insists on Morisot family to leave Paris for safety. But they resist.
The war even further tests the relationship between Manet and Berthe. She finds consolation by corresponding with her friend Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, who has feelings for her, but for her it’s pure friendship.
The author beautifully paints a portrait of a complex and very talented woman who refuses to bend to the 19th century convention. The feelings, the pain of broken heart and frustration are very real; well-presented.
Berthe Morisot became one of the world’s greatest artists, but her paintings through which she achieved the fame did not come through in this story. Even though, this is the part I’m missing in this story, I still have enjoyed the storyline and the prose tremendously.
February 17, 2009
The cover of the paperback version of "With Violets" is bright and inviting with a white-dressed figure reclining off the edge of the page, holding violets in her hand. Something in the sharp-edged flowers or speckled grays on the dress is reminiscent of the era Robards is writing about, the time of the French impressionists, putting me in the right mood to read.
The book transports you to a very real depiction of Paris in the 1860s, introducing the reader to wonderful characters with complicated lives and loves, and inviting you to ponder fascinating mysteries of human relationships, history and art.
As evidence of how much I enjoyed the book, I found myself looking up the main character, Berthe Morisot, on the internet as soon as I finished reading. I found a painting by her of a woman in a white dress that matched the book’s cover, and another painting, by Manet, of Morisot holding a bunch of violets. As I read the articles I felt like I was reading about real people who I’d already come to know through Robard’s novel.
With Violets is written in the first person, giving it an immediacy that draws the reader quickly into the era. And Robards’ language, right from the start, splashes the colors of impressionism onto the page. As Morisot becomes aware of Manet in the room behind her (on page 2), she describes “patterns of speech reverberating like a symphony of color… One timbre dark and rich as umber shadows. The other, vibrant as vermillion.” It sounds completely natural in the context of a young woman with paintbrush in hand, and gives an immediate insight into the way the artist thinks and experiences the world.
Sometimes the switches in tense in the book startled me, but they soon became part of the flow — a story told in vivid colors, unmixed, placed side by side like the paintings she describes. And just occasionally there were words or turns of phrase that seemed to miss the mark (but perhaps I’m too English). Touches of French, and French phrasing, are unobtrusively placed, and well-paced, giving background and flavor. And the world of Morisot and Manet is fleshed out beautifully with references to world events. I was fascinated to realize how little I had considered where the impressionists fitted into the timelines of revolution, war and politics.
At the end of the book, Avon gives a two-page “author insight,” where Robards describes the awe and respect she holds for Morisot and Manet, which led her to sketch a love story of what might have been. I’d have to say, she’s done a wonderful job, and I’ll look forward to reading more by her. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more than your average romance, where relationships and the historical world are painted with breadth and depth, then I would certainly recommend you try "With Violets" by Elizabeth Robards.
The book transports you to a very real depiction of Paris in the 1860s, introducing the reader to wonderful characters with complicated lives and loves, and inviting you to ponder fascinating mysteries of human relationships, history and art.
As evidence of how much I enjoyed the book, I found myself looking up the main character, Berthe Morisot, on the internet as soon as I finished reading. I found a painting by her of a woman in a white dress that matched the book’s cover, and another painting, by Manet, of Morisot holding a bunch of violets. As I read the articles I felt like I was reading about real people who I’d already come to know through Robard’s novel.
With Violets is written in the first person, giving it an immediacy that draws the reader quickly into the era. And Robards’ language, right from the start, splashes the colors of impressionism onto the page. As Morisot becomes aware of Manet in the room behind her (on page 2), she describes “patterns of speech reverberating like a symphony of color… One timbre dark and rich as umber shadows. The other, vibrant as vermillion.” It sounds completely natural in the context of a young woman with paintbrush in hand, and gives an immediate insight into the way the artist thinks and experiences the world.
Sometimes the switches in tense in the book startled me, but they soon became part of the flow — a story told in vivid colors, unmixed, placed side by side like the paintings she describes. And just occasionally there were words or turns of phrase that seemed to miss the mark (but perhaps I’m too English). Touches of French, and French phrasing, are unobtrusively placed, and well-paced, giving background and flavor. And the world of Morisot and Manet is fleshed out beautifully with references to world events. I was fascinated to realize how little I had considered where the impressionists fitted into the timelines of revolution, war and politics.
At the end of the book, Avon gives a two-page “author insight,” where Robards describes the awe and respect she holds for Morisot and Manet, which led her to sketch a love story of what might have been. I’d have to say, she’s done a wonderful job, and I’ll look forward to reading more by her. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more than your average romance, where relationships and the historical world are painted with breadth and depth, then I would certainly recommend you try "With Violets" by Elizabeth Robards.
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September 5, 2021i abandoned this book halfway because i absolutely did not want to have to put myself through reading about a female protagonist who started out strong being made utterly weak and useless by a man. it ended up reading like the exact kind of chick-flick books i would usually avoid in the first place. there wasn't much about art or life during the time of the Impressionists, the imaginings of which was what i had been looking forward to. so i abandoned it because i simply could not bring myself to read anymore.
November 13, 2012
I have to admit the only reason i picked this up was because i was in between library books and really didn't feel like a)going out to get more and b) I really didn't feel like making it rain /spend any money on new books. But, this book was pretty pleasant. The cover is not-my-style... at all. The story really kept me interested though.
What's this about? short and sweet. This is about the artist Manet's muse and their ongoing "relationship". Berthe was raised to be a lady of society, she was to find a nice lad and marry, but her parents also encouraged her to think and paint. Painting is what lead her to Manet. He was enthralled with her. He had to paint her. This was a scandalous act at the time, but she chose to.... because she was drawn to him. THe only HUGE downside has to be he is a married man. He has a "son". They continue a friendship that blossoms into more passionate affairs, but one thing stays certain... he will not leave his wife.
When Berthe finally gets the reaction she wants, she respectably decides it's not what she wanted at all. Is she doomed to love this man forever? Is she never going to marry? Can she continue her painting and not be thrown into a negative light?
3.5 stars. Pretty good for a "Avon", $3.00 bargain book ;)
What's this about? short and sweet. This is about the artist Manet's muse and their ongoing "relationship". Berthe was raised to be a lady of society, she was to find a nice lad and marry, but her parents also encouraged her to think and paint. Painting is what lead her to Manet. He was enthralled with her. He had to paint her. This was a scandalous act at the time, but she chose to.... because she was drawn to him. THe only HUGE downside has to be he is a married man. He has a "son". They continue a friendship that blossoms into more passionate affairs, but one thing stays certain... he will not leave his wife.
When Berthe finally gets the reaction she wants, she respectably decides it's not what she wanted at all. Is she doomed to love this man forever? Is she never going to marry? Can she continue her painting and not be thrown into a negative light?
3.5 stars. Pretty good for a "Avon", $3.00 bargain book ;)
August 30, 2012
This novel tells the story of Berthe Morisot, the only female artist to be exhibited with the Impressionists, and her scandalous love affair with Édouard Manet. Set in Paris in the 1860s, it was a time of political and artistic turmoil. I had high hopes for the book, since I love books about art and history and creativity, but overall I was disappointed with this – it was very slow in the beginning and then rushed to the end as if the author had grown tired of her own story.
December 20, 2019
This is a book that I thought I wouldn’t be finishing. From the very first page, our protagonist, Berthe Morisot, launches into exactly the kind of reckless romance that I loathe to read about. One where the woman falls headlong into an obsession that eats up her every waking moment and robs her of everything she used to be passionate about, turning her into an unproductive, sleep-deprived, desperate shell of her former self. One where the potential partner is a source of torturous sexual tension, but doesn’t respect her and is too wishy-washy or cowardly to resolve the situation (either by committing or ending it), instead stringing out her stress and the grief this relationship puts her through for years. I don’t see this sort of thing as romantic. Instead of love, I see jealousy, manipulation, and insecurity. Reading this novel in Berthe’s voice reminded me more of teenage turmoil than a woman who over the course of the book goes from her late twenties to early thirties. And I despised the woman-on-woman hate that this relationship fostered. Berthe derides Edouard Manet’s wife, Suzanne, even after she learns that the marriage was made for practical reasons and is supposedly loveless. She seems to burn with hatred for Suzanne, and repeatedly expounds upon how fat she is. It felt ugly and petty and reeked of jealousy. All these things I detested about the book and yet the relationship between Berthe and Manet is the central plot. Why did I keep reading?
Because in Berthe’s sentiments, however poisonous the relationship was, I found an uncomfortable echo of my own experiences. This kind of romance repels me today because once upon a time I was a naïve teenager involved with feckless fools who caused me all kinds of emotional turmoil and strung me along; from the well-intentioned ones who nevertheless did not know what they wanted and were too cowardly to say so, to the downright nefarious ones who deliberately lied and jerked me around. Fortunately I eventually realised that this is not love and this sucks, and left such nonsense behind, along with my adolescence, and the realisation that jealousy over love rivals is juvenile since almost everyone comes with past baggage and if they don’t realise your true worth in the present then they sure as heck aren’t worth fighting for. I loathed this book’s romance, but I pitied Berthe and could understand what she was going through. I kept reading, I suppose, out of morbid curiosity and the thin hope that somehow her story would have a happy ending. I’ll let the reader decide whether or not you judge it to be so.
I did enjoy the discussions and descriptions of artistic matters, and wished there had been more of it – and more of the war too. The war was clearly an opportunity for high drama, but the novel was more focused on the romance, and much of the war is relayed to us by means of letters between the main characters. In the end, I cannot say that this was a bad book, just that it had too much of what I don’t enjoy, and not enough of what I do.
5 out of 10
October 21, 2025
Berthe Morisot is my favorite of the three Impressionist female painters, and though I love her paintings, I didn't know much about her personal life. Besides being one of Manet"s muses, he became her inspiration to paint as well, and she was recognized as gifted as many of her contemporaries, such as Monet, Degas, Pisarro and Renoir. She was able to exhibit her art alongside these other giants of impressionism and was well respected. This fictionalized novel of her life, however, focused too much on her romances with these artists and not enough on her. I am glad the author touched on the 1871 París Commune uprising and the socialist revolution that followed and how that affected the current anti-establishment art movement, but there just wasn't enough on all that. Instead, it became much like a romance novel, which I abhor.
January 27, 2022
"Društvo je ženi dodelio prilično nesrećnu ulogu. Bile smo ćerke, suoruge, majke - a izvan tog obima naša ličnost je bila umanjena. Rođene smo da pronađemo ljubav. A ipak, pronalaženje ljubavi možda je i najveći izazov sa kojim se žena suočava."
March 3, 2013
I tried to finish this, because I just hate leaving a book undone, but I'm giving up and moving to greener pastures. This book got my attention with a lie; it claims to be "A novel of the dawn of Impressionism." To me that means that it will be about Impressionism. Instead it's chick lit where Berthe Morisot, a talented Impressionist artist I had never heard of, gets all hot and bothered over Edouard Manet, despite his being married, albeit to a rather dumpy wife. She spends the entire book in high conflict over whether or not to get it on with Manet, until she actually does, and then she spends the rest of the book swinging from despair that she can't get it on with Manet again to anger that Manet isn't trying to get it on with her enough. Oh, and there's a war with the Prussians, but apparently that's not important to the story. Unfortunately that was what I would have found interesting, and there's only passing mention of it, mostly in letters to her sister Edma. There's hardly anything about the Impressionists struggle to get their art shown outside the Salon - the artists do talk about it and an exhibition takes does place - but other than Berthe being interested in seeing Manet's painting that she modelled for, all she's interested in is where Manet is. I guess I just prefer a bit more substance to my novels, but if you like Harlequin Historicals and are seeking to branch out into larger books, this should be right up your alley.
April 14, 2019
A favorite for art lovers
Elizabeth Robards' With Violets is a work of fiction but it features artists that we are all familiar with and recognize. It is a love story with lots of twists and poetic turns.
The main character, Berthe is headstrong and a rebel, but at the core, she is but a girl experiencing love for the first time and all the challenges.
I highly recommend this book but be warned, your heart will be tested but get transported back to a time you too felt like Berthe.
Enjoy
Elizabeth Robards' With Violets is a work of fiction but it features artists that we are all familiar with and recognize. It is a love story with lots of twists and poetic turns.
The main character, Berthe is headstrong and a rebel, but at the core, she is but a girl experiencing love for the first time and all the challenges.
I highly recommend this book but be warned, your heart will be tested but get transported back to a time you too felt like Berthe.
Enjoy
November 11, 2019
My favorite artists are the impressionist, this historic fiction is about Edourd Manet and Berthe Morisot. There love and loss, their painting and the exhibit that she helped to launch. I loved every line of this book.
June 20, 2012
This book is based on the true story of Berthe Morisot, a woman impressionist painter who became involved with the original troupe of French Impressionists and her sorted love affair with the great painter Edouard Manet, who was a married man and still led her to believe his love was genuine. The Napoleonic wars and other turmoil of the times are presented in a fascinating look into the French lifestyle of the mid 1800s. Learning to paint at the Louvre with master painters. Hand written notes sealed with wax, delivered by carriers, (no cell phones or Facebook then!). Horse-drawn carriages, oil lamps and wood fires. Sun dried sheets and long lacy dresses with cinched undergarments and laced up shoes. Painting on the country-side with a parasol, mixing the pigments with oil. Dainty patisseries and coffee for breakfast. Sneaking off to visit your married sister so you can meet up with your heart throb in a town where no one knows you. And as a woman, you are expected to paint as hobby, not as a profession or as your life's calling. I became absorbed into the story since I am also passionate about painting, so I could relate to Berthe Morisot's desires and motivations as an artist. I could only dream about painting in her circle of artist companions.
January 7, 2016
I really loved the book. What I did not love was the ending. I want to know what happened after that-it left me with so many questions!!! It's like you have the background and all the history of her life and a bit of his but then what happened to the family dynamic when they got married? Did they have children? How did that all work out? Are you kidding?!
September 17, 2019
If I read one more historical fiction about women mooning over dudes who do not remotely deserve them, I’m resigning from reading although
May 18, 2025
„Društvo je ženi dodelilo prilično nesrećnu ulogu. Bile smo ćerke, supruge, majke - a izvan tog obima naša ličnost bila je umanjena. Rođene smo da pronađemo ljubav. A ipak, pronalaženje ljubavi možda je i najteži izazov sa kojim se žena suočava.“
Moram da priznam da sam u ovu priču ušla bez ikakvih očekivanja. Stil pisanja lagan i pitak, atmosfera u knjizi odlično dočarava XIX vek.
Priča se vrti oko slikarke Berte Morizo i Eduara Manea. Iako je bila slikarka, pozirala je i bila model svojim kolegama. Jedan susret u Luvru biće dovoljan da nastanu varnice između ovo dvoje umetnika. Eduar Mane važio je za razvratnog čoveka, ali njegova umetnička dela su odskakala, bio je buntovnik u slikarstvu, izlazeći iz okvira, neki su to smatrali šokantnim, a neki smelošću. Od trenutka kada je sreo Bertu, njeni portreti su često krasili njegova platna, bila je njegova muza, ali i ljubavnica. Strast, požuda, ljubav. Provlači se i period rata između Francuske i Pruske.
Autorka je navela da je priča plod njene mašte, istražujući Wikipediju, mogu da kažem da je ideja genijalna jer ima toliko podudarnosti, da je ovo u stvarnosti i moglo da bude istinito. Kroz priču se provlači ljubav između njih dvoje, ali nekada strast nije dovoljna. Naročito u vremenima gde se od žene očekivalo da bude samo majka i domaćica. Berta je bila ispred svog vremena, između karijere, da bude uspešna slikarka ili da se uda i živi po normi, birala je ono prvo. Ali kako društvo i okolina vrše pritisak, jednom je morala da popusti. Eduar Mane nije okončao svoj brak sa Suzan, ali se Berta potpisivala kao supruga E. Manea. Kako i zašto, to ostavljam vama da otkrijete ako budete čitali. Berta i Eduar ostali su upamćeni kao najznačajniji predstavnici impresionizma, slikari koji se takođe pominju u romanu su bili deo pokreta impresionista - Dega, Mone, Pisaro.
Značajne slike koje se provlače u romanu su Balkon, Olimpija kao i Berta Morizo sa buketom ljubičica.
Meni se roman dopao, postoje neke sitnice koje su bile nepotrebne, ali sve u svemu, kako nisam ništa očekivala ovo je i više nego prijatno iznenađenje. Od mene 4⭐️.
Moram da priznam da sam u ovu priču ušla bez ikakvih očekivanja. Stil pisanja lagan i pitak, atmosfera u knjizi odlično dočarava XIX vek.
Priča se vrti oko slikarke Berte Morizo i Eduara Manea. Iako je bila slikarka, pozirala je i bila model svojim kolegama. Jedan susret u Luvru biće dovoljan da nastanu varnice između ovo dvoje umetnika. Eduar Mane važio je za razvratnog čoveka, ali njegova umetnička dela su odskakala, bio je buntovnik u slikarstvu, izlazeći iz okvira, neki su to smatrali šokantnim, a neki smelošću. Od trenutka kada je sreo Bertu, njeni portreti su često krasili njegova platna, bila je njegova muza, ali i ljubavnica. Strast, požuda, ljubav. Provlači se i period rata između Francuske i Pruske.
Autorka je navela da je priča plod njene mašte, istražujući Wikipediju, mogu da kažem da je ideja genijalna jer ima toliko podudarnosti, da je ovo u stvarnosti i moglo da bude istinito. Kroz priču se provlači ljubav između njih dvoje, ali nekada strast nije dovoljna. Naročito u vremenima gde se od žene očekivalo da bude samo majka i domaćica. Berta je bila ispred svog vremena, između karijere, da bude uspešna slikarka ili da se uda i živi po normi, birala je ono prvo. Ali kako društvo i okolina vrše pritisak, jednom je morala da popusti. Eduar Mane nije okončao svoj brak sa Suzan, ali se Berta potpisivala kao supruga E. Manea. Kako i zašto, to ostavljam vama da otkrijete ako budete čitali. Berta i Eduar ostali su upamćeni kao najznačajniji predstavnici impresionizma, slikari koji se takođe pominju u romanu su bili deo pokreta impresionista - Dega, Mone, Pisaro.
Značajne slike koje se provlače u romanu su Balkon, Olimpija kao i Berta Morizo sa buketom ljubičica.
Meni se roman dopao, postoje neke sitnice koje su bile nepotrebne, ali sve u svemu, kako nisam ništa očekivala ovo je i više nego prijatno iznenađenje. Od mene 4⭐️.
April 26, 2019
Unless you are a fan who enjoys romance with a blue tint, don't read this book. In my efforts to read historical fiction with an artistic bent, I made my way to this book. It is about Edouard Manet, and it's also about the birth of the Impressionist movement with Renoir, Degas, Claude Monet and others, There is a lot of angst, romance, and non-explicit sex in the book. It tells the story of Berthe Morisot who is a young woman who lives in Paris and who is trying to bring her artistic works to the forefront at the same time as all the great 19th century artists that lived and worked in and around Paris at that time. There are some true historical events mentioned in the book such as the four month 1871 Paris Commune revolution. It depicted quite clearly the effect of this socialist revolution on the ruling aristocratic class. It also depicted the birth of the Impressionist movement which was formed when a group of painters decided to go against the French establishment, who have been keeping a tight rein on the artists and paintings that are"acceptable" for their annual Salon. There was no room for any hotheaded disagreements with what the establishment was determining was acceptable artistic license and what wasn't. The story is about the love affair of the married Edouard Manet and his favourite model of the time who was the unmarried Berthe Morisot. I found the book to be very literate and lyrical. Ms. Robards has a way with words and her descriptions of places and people was excellent. I found the book to be overly melodramatic though. I thought that someone should give Berthe a kick in the butt for her mindless and unsound judgement in all her dealings with a totally unavailable and unacceptable man. She does finally pull whatever dignity she has left around herself, and she makes a final move away ,which removes her from Manet's orbit and his pursuit of her. The book was ok, but not as enjoyable for me as some of the other books I've read about famous artists and their paramours.
April 3, 2020
I enjoyed this story of Berthe Morisot, who was an Impressionist and exhibited her work alongside Monet, Degas, Pissaro, Renoir and others. The story centers on her romance with Edouard Manet and the challenges she faced as an unmarried female and a member of a proper family desperately trying to maintain their reputation as she pursued her art and personal freedom. "With Violets" refers to Manet's painting of Berthe in which she wore a small bunch of violets tucked into the bodice of her dress (and the author explains that they are the flowers of love).
Her characterization is consistent with all I've read about her in other works and is very believable. However, the author seems to have taken some artistic license with the relationship between Manet and his wife, Suzanne as well as their son. In Susan Roe's excellent work, "The Private Lives of the Impressionists," which was very well researched and cited, she explains that Manet was passionately in love with Suzanne early in their relationship. However, he sent her away during the Franco Prussian War for her safety, and when she returned she had become obese. He stayed with her and their son for the rest of his life, although he had many affairs, including Berthe Morisot. Roe also states that Leon, Suzanne's son, was actually Manet's son, although his mother arranged things so that there would be a question about his true parentage to preserve the family's reputation as he had been born several years before Manet married Suzanne. However, it was generally known that Leon was Edouard Manet's son.
This story portrays Berthe's personal struggles as Manet's mistress and as an artist. It is an enjoyable piece of Impressionist history, and I highly recommend it.
Her characterization is consistent with all I've read about her in other works and is very believable. However, the author seems to have taken some artistic license with the relationship between Manet and his wife, Suzanne as well as their son. In Susan Roe's excellent work, "The Private Lives of the Impressionists," which was very well researched and cited, she explains that Manet was passionately in love with Suzanne early in their relationship. However, he sent her away during the Franco Prussian War for her safety, and when she returned she had become obese. He stayed with her and their son for the rest of his life, although he had many affairs, including Berthe Morisot. Roe also states that Leon, Suzanne's son, was actually Manet's son, although his mother arranged things so that there would be a question about his true parentage to preserve the family's reputation as he had been born several years before Manet married Suzanne. However, it was generally known that Leon was Edouard Manet's son.
This story portrays Berthe's personal struggles as Manet's mistress and as an artist. It is an enjoyable piece of Impressionist history, and I highly recommend it.
January 9, 2019
I found this book extremely frustrating, but not because of the book itself, rather how it should have been allowed to be. The topic was Berthe Moriset, one of the founders of impressionism and a female when at that time, women had little clout. She had affairs as did men, lived through the Commune, sat for Manet and risked her reputation spearheading a new artistic movement. And the writer had a good feel for the character - the woman was a force and a passionate one at that. Her life - even seen distantly - she had power. But the author reduced her to a lovesick toy for a famous male painter. Really? Like we don't have enough stories like that with characters who don't exist? The woman's life was more vivid than a Picasso piece and I can hear a publisher whispering in the writer's ear "write this gushy, paint by numbers romantic piece because those sell" (I know this because I've heard it enough times to make me want to puke). Which, given the subject of the book, is incredibly pathetic. Write a cookie cutter book about someone who refused to do cookie cutter art; and there in lies the crux of my annoyance. The spirit of the book versus the true spirit of the subject and my own expectations.
Cookie cutter wasn't what I was hoping for here when the topic was far from that - even worse when the writer has the potential to write so much better. I felt cheated in the end by mediocrity concerning a subject far from it.
Cookie cutter wasn't what I was hoping for here when the topic was far from that - even worse when the writer has the potential to write so much better. I felt cheated in the end by mediocrity concerning a subject far from it.
December 29, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I started reading it slowly but recently have not been able to put it down. I was determined to fish reading it by the end of the year.
I have highlighted the words & phrases that impacted on me. Also single words that I was unsure of the meanings.
I am delighted that the rugged path that Berthe Morisot trod levelled out to a smooth landing. Maybe the romance between Édouard Manet & Berthe Morisot was fictionalised, but their emotions & character stood out clearly. She is definitely a very sympathetic character but he was extremely self-centred.
One of the distinct themes of this novel is loss & bereavement. Berthe lost confidence in Edouard Manet. She also lost her Father. Bereavement came at the end of the novel. She finally moved on, cut her losses, & broke her cycle of on & off with Edouard & was free to marry Eugene, a man of greater integrity.
I have highlighted the words & phrases that impacted on me. Also single words that I was unsure of the meanings.
I am delighted that the rugged path that Berthe Morisot trod levelled out to a smooth landing. Maybe the romance between Édouard Manet & Berthe Morisot was fictionalised, but their emotions & character stood out clearly. She is definitely a very sympathetic character but he was extremely self-centred.
One of the distinct themes of this novel is loss & bereavement. Berthe lost confidence in Edouard Manet. She also lost her Father. Bereavement came at the end of the novel. She finally moved on, cut her losses, & broke her cycle of on & off with Edouard & was free to marry Eugene, a man of greater integrity.
August 31, 2021
Books about art tend to catch my eye, especially ones about Impressionism.
This book is the reimagining of the relationship between artists Berthe Morisot and Édouard Manet. The early part focuses on Berthe's close relationship with her sister Edma, who is also an artist and later marries and moves away. Berthe starts as a model for Manet and then becomes romantically involved with him.
The story is told through her eyes, and as the narrator, we see all of her dislikes and prejudices. She is particularly mean in describing Édouard's "fat" wife, Suzanne. It was uncomfortable to read her prolific descriptions of Suzanne's dowdiness and put me, as the reader, in a position of judgment.
The most interesting part of the novel were the Franco-Prussian war sections and how Berthe's family as well as Édouard's were involved. But much of the story was focused on Berthe's fickle
nature about her feelings for Édouard and matrimony in general.
This book is the reimagining of the relationship between artists Berthe Morisot and Édouard Manet. The early part focuses on Berthe's close relationship with her sister Edma, who is also an artist and later marries and moves away. Berthe starts as a model for Manet and then becomes romantically involved with him.
The story is told through her eyes, and as the narrator, we see all of her dislikes and prejudices. She is particularly mean in describing Édouard's "fat" wife, Suzanne. It was uncomfortable to read her prolific descriptions of Suzanne's dowdiness and put me, as the reader, in a position of judgment.
The most interesting part of the novel were the Franco-Prussian war sections and how Berthe's family as well as Édouard's were involved. But much of the story was focused on Berthe's fickle
nature about her feelings for Édouard and matrimony in general.
April 10, 2023
Things I love about this book:
The Impressionist art time period
Things I disliked about this book:
Everything else
More specifically?
Berthe claims she learned her lesson each time she romantically interacts with Edouard Manet. She’s observed a character flaw and their relationship is irreparable. And yet. And yet.
Based on her role during the Impressionist time period, Morisot had to have clout. I just cannot believe that she did not have a strong personality. This book chooses not to highlight any of those characteristics.
Only when Berthe’s father dies does she proclaim his importance in her life. Where is the evidence throughout the text? Show don’t tell!
The many adjectives and ways in which the author describes E. Manet’s “fat” wife. It’s embarrassing (for the author) to focus so much undue attention and seems to point to her personal prejudice.
Writing style, including weak metaphors and similes and the use of personal letters to unsuccessfully carry the plot.
The Impressionist art time period
Things I disliked about this book:
Everything else
More specifically?
Berthe claims she learned her lesson each time she romantically interacts with Edouard Manet. She’s observed a character flaw and their relationship is irreparable. And yet. And yet.
Based on her role during the Impressionist time period, Morisot had to have clout. I just cannot believe that she did not have a strong personality. This book chooses not to highlight any of those characteristics.
Only when Berthe’s father dies does she proclaim his importance in her life. Where is the evidence throughout the text? Show don’t tell!
The many adjectives and ways in which the author describes E. Manet’s “fat” wife. It’s embarrassing (for the author) to focus so much undue attention and seems to point to her personal prejudice.
Writing style, including weak metaphors and similes and the use of personal letters to unsuccessfully carry the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2017
I loved reading "With Violets" A great historical novel set in Paris Detailing the roots of the Impressionist movement, which arose in the aftermath of the unrest and destruction of the Franco Prussian War A captivating story of a talented independent young female artist Berthe Morisot struggling not only to navigate her passion for painting and her place in the art world at the time of the Paris Salon but also embroiled in a self destructive tumultuous affair with the infamous married Édouard Manet. I particularly enjoyed image searching the references to particular paintings of Morisot, Manet and other artists to add a visual element to the historical fiction.
December 23, 2017
This is not a story for art lovers but a novel of a cheap needy lady. The story focuses the life of Berthe who is herself a homewrecker and needs constant love and attention from a married man. If you are reading this book looking for information about impressionists and artists it will be a waste of time. It is all about an affair between Berthe and Eduard Manet and Berthe ends up marrying his brother!
August 15, 2020
This book was ok.. I had not heard of Berthe Morisot before so I did enjoy looking up her paintings as she was painting them so I could see what they looked like. I did the same with Manet so I could see what he was working on. What I didn't enjoy was how this strong woman was so hung up on this man. I realize that it is supposed to be "different" now because she is in love with him but all the back and forth just started driving me a little crazy. Also, whether he married his wife for love or not, he still married her and everyone fat shaming her was driving me nuts!
February 13, 2016
Berthe Morisot was an important French painter of the Impressionism School, although it’s far more likely that readers will be familiar with her counterparts’ names (Degas, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro) than Morisot’s. In that way, “With Violets,” a fictionalized account of the real life love affair between Morisot and painter Edouard Manet, may bring new fans to her work, and more attention to a woman painter whose life and work have remained out of the spotlight for too long.
The story opens when Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot meet while she is painting at the Louvre (copying the works of Old Masters, a common practice for studying the techniques of great painters). Each is smitten, but there is a problem. Monsieur Manet is already married. Nonetheless, the attraction between the two is sealed, and the book follows as both struggle against the passion they feel toward each other.
Along with way, readers are introduced to the life of Paris in the 1860s: social gatherings, artistic developments, and even political strife are all encapsulated within the love story between Manet and Morisot. Author Elizabeth Robards perfectly recreates the Parisian setting of this time period and helps her readers understand the birth of the Impressionism movement in painting, while never straying from the love story and the social constraints felt by Berthe Morisot, the daughter of a prominent family, whose interest in life (painting) makes her an outcast of sorts.
Even Morisot’s closest relationship (with her sister Edma) will be tested by her choices in romance and art. Intertwined in the storytelling are descriptions of the settings and occasions for Morisot’s most famous paintings, and readers will find themselves running to the bookshelf to seek out old art books with reproductions of Morisot’s work. Here is her sister posing along a sea wall in a harbor town, there a field in the country. If nothing else, “With Violets” is the perfect excuse for readers to reacquaint themselves with the work of the Impressionists. Author Elizabeth Robards, for example, perfectly integrates into the love story a scene from perhaps the most famous art exhibition ever held (where Claude Monet so scandalously displayed his “Impression Sunrise” painting that gave name to their art movement), one in which Morisot‘s work was shown.
“With Violets” is a book to be enjoyed on many levels. It’s a brilliant debut novel about a real relationship in a very interesting time in history. Even if the reader knows little about art, the story is compelling. When adding the richness of Impressionism to the mix, the story presented becomes a masterpiece of its own.
Merged review:
Berthe Morisot was an important French painter of the Impressionism School, although it's far more likely that readers will be familiar with her counterparts' names (Degas, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro) than Morisot's. In that way, With Violets, a fictionalized account of the real life love affair between Morisot and painter Edouard Manet, may bring new fans to her work, and more attention to a woman painter whose life and work have remained out of the spotlight for too long.
The story opens when Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot meet while she is painting at the Louvre (copying the works of Old Masters, a common practice for studying the techniques of great painters). Each is smitten, but there is a problem. Monsieur Manet is already married. Nonetheless, the attraction between the two is sealed, and the book follows as both struggle against the passion they feel toward each other.
Along with way, readers are introduced to the life of Paris in the 1860s: social gatherings, artistic developments, and even political strife are all encapsulated within the love story between Manet and Morisot. Author Elizabeth Robards perfectly recreates the Parisian setting of this time period and helps her readers understand the birth of the Impressionism movement in painting, while never straying from the love story and the social constraints felt by Berthe Morisot, the daughter of a prominent family, whose interest in life (painting) makes her an outcast of sorts.
Even Morisot's closest relationship (with her sister Edma) will be tested by her choices in romance and art. Intertwined in the storytelling are descriptions of the settings and occasions for Morisot's most famous paintings, and readers will find themselves running to the bookshelf to seek out old art books with reproductions of Morisot's work. Here is her sister posing along a sea wall in a harbor town, there a field in the country. If nothing else, With Violets is the perfect excuse for readers to reacquaint themselves with the work of the Impressionists. Author Elizabeth Robards, for example, perfectly integrates into the love story a scene from perhaps the most famous art exhibition ever held (where Claude Monet so scandalously displayed his "Impression Sunrise" painting that gave name to their art movement), one in which Morisot's work was shown.
With Violets is a book to be enjoyed on many levels. It's a brilliant debut novel about a real relationship in a very interesting time in history. Even if the reader knows little about art, the story is compelling. When adding the richness of Impressionism to the mix, the story presented becomes a masterpiece of its own.
The story opens when Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot meet while she is painting at the Louvre (copying the works of Old Masters, a common practice for studying the techniques of great painters). Each is smitten, but there is a problem. Monsieur Manet is already married. Nonetheless, the attraction between the two is sealed, and the book follows as both struggle against the passion they feel toward each other.
Along with way, readers are introduced to the life of Paris in the 1860s: social gatherings, artistic developments, and even political strife are all encapsulated within the love story between Manet and Morisot. Author Elizabeth Robards perfectly recreates the Parisian setting of this time period and helps her readers understand the birth of the Impressionism movement in painting, while never straying from the love story and the social constraints felt by Berthe Morisot, the daughter of a prominent family, whose interest in life (painting) makes her an outcast of sorts.
Even Morisot’s closest relationship (with her sister Edma) will be tested by her choices in romance and art. Intertwined in the storytelling are descriptions of the settings and occasions for Morisot’s most famous paintings, and readers will find themselves running to the bookshelf to seek out old art books with reproductions of Morisot’s work. Here is her sister posing along a sea wall in a harbor town, there a field in the country. If nothing else, “With Violets” is the perfect excuse for readers to reacquaint themselves with the work of the Impressionists. Author Elizabeth Robards, for example, perfectly integrates into the love story a scene from perhaps the most famous art exhibition ever held (where Claude Monet so scandalously displayed his “Impression Sunrise” painting that gave name to their art movement), one in which Morisot‘s work was shown.
“With Violets” is a book to be enjoyed on many levels. It’s a brilliant debut novel about a real relationship in a very interesting time in history. Even if the reader knows little about art, the story is compelling. When adding the richness of Impressionism to the mix, the story presented becomes a masterpiece of its own.
Merged review:
Berthe Morisot was an important French painter of the Impressionism School, although it's far more likely that readers will be familiar with her counterparts' names (Degas, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro) than Morisot's. In that way, With Violets, a fictionalized account of the real life love affair between Morisot and painter Edouard Manet, may bring new fans to her work, and more attention to a woman painter whose life and work have remained out of the spotlight for too long.
The story opens when Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot meet while she is painting at the Louvre (copying the works of Old Masters, a common practice for studying the techniques of great painters). Each is smitten, but there is a problem. Monsieur Manet is already married. Nonetheless, the attraction between the two is sealed, and the book follows as both struggle against the passion they feel toward each other.
Along with way, readers are introduced to the life of Paris in the 1860s: social gatherings, artistic developments, and even political strife are all encapsulated within the love story between Manet and Morisot. Author Elizabeth Robards perfectly recreates the Parisian setting of this time period and helps her readers understand the birth of the Impressionism movement in painting, while never straying from the love story and the social constraints felt by Berthe Morisot, the daughter of a prominent family, whose interest in life (painting) makes her an outcast of sorts.
Even Morisot's closest relationship (with her sister Edma) will be tested by her choices in romance and art. Intertwined in the storytelling are descriptions of the settings and occasions for Morisot's most famous paintings, and readers will find themselves running to the bookshelf to seek out old art books with reproductions of Morisot's work. Here is her sister posing along a sea wall in a harbor town, there a field in the country. If nothing else, With Violets is the perfect excuse for readers to reacquaint themselves with the work of the Impressionists. Author Elizabeth Robards, for example, perfectly integrates into the love story a scene from perhaps the most famous art exhibition ever held (where Claude Monet so scandalously displayed his "Impression Sunrise" painting that gave name to their art movement), one in which Morisot's work was shown.
With Violets is a book to be enjoyed on many levels. It's a brilliant debut novel about a real relationship in a very interesting time in history. Even if the reader knows little about art, the story is compelling. When adding the richness of Impressionism to the mix, the story presented becomes a masterpiece of its own.
December 28, 2016
An interesting if somewhat contrived perspective of romance between two masters of Impressionism. It was difficult for me to stomach the "dizzy spells" when HE entered the room and all the heavy breathing when HE touched her hand. If you can get beyond that melodrama the background of the era was worth the read.
April 4, 2019
"With Violets" is a historical fiction set in the 1860s involving Berthe Morisot, one of the movers of Impressionism, and Edouard Manet.
My main gripe with this book: Morisot is a highly intelligent and accomplished artist and she was reduced into a one-dimensional simpering love-sick fool in “With Violets”. I think Robards did her a big injustice.
My main gripe with this book: Morisot is a highly intelligent and accomplished artist and she was reduced into a one-dimensional simpering love-sick fool in “With Violets”. I think Robards did her a big injustice.
April 14, 2019
I’ve been looking for this book over ten years and finally remembered the title!!! I’ll never lend paperbacks to a friend again! Lol
This book was elegant, charmed, artistic in so many ways and poignant. The passion is a slow simmer that you can feel profoundly at its boiling point.
I loved this story and only wish there were others stories by this author.
This book was elegant, charmed, artistic in so many ways and poignant. The passion is a slow simmer that you can feel profoundly at its boiling point.
I loved this story and only wish there were others stories by this author.
July 11, 2018
Good easy read. A love story set in Paris about the Impressionists is researched nicely in this historical fiction.
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