Camille Claudel

by Anne Delbée

Book Overview

"A fictionalized biography of current French feminist martyr Claudel (accomplished sculptor and lover of Rodin), whose ill-starred life has also been the subject of a 1989 movie, as well as a play by Delbee".--"Kirkus Reviews", August 5, 1992.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1562790269
• ISBN13: 9781562790264
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Mercury House
• Length: 373 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Remarkable Biography of a Remarkable Woman

Ann Delbee's nonfiction treasure introduces us to one of the most compelling personalities of recent history. Camille Claudel was, in trite terms that fail miserably to serve her, a contemporary, colleague, and lover of the famed sculptor Auguste Rodin. Not merely a biography, but an unabashed dissection of the life, loves, and works of a true Renaissance woman, this biographical masterpiece illuminates every nuance of an extremely complex persona. Detail and development are so extensive that it is difficult to remind oneself that this is not AUTOBIOGRAPHY. We are thrust into the midst of the stormy relationship between Claudel and Rodin and learn of her influence on the great artist's life and work. At the same time we reflect on Claudel's own place in the art world of her time. The artist paints a vivid portrait of Camille's home and family life, particularly the special bond she shared with her brother, the poet Paul Claudel. Delbee succeeds with splendor in developing an understanding of Camille's unique positon as a woman in her society. Ultimately, Camille Claudel rises from these pages both triumphant and tragic.

The most painful book I have ever read.

This is a book that I wish I had not read and yet it is one of the best books I have ever read. Camille Claudel's soul found it's path into mine and I felt all the hate towards August Rodin that she was incapable of because of her love for him and breathtaking passion for her own and his work. In a lot of ways this book resembles "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" in revealing how a human spirit will not bend....