Rodin's Lover by Heather Webb Blog Tour and Review!

Please join Heather Webb as she tours the blogosphere with HF Virtual Book Tours for Rodin's Lover, from January 19-February 13. 

Publication Date: January 27, 2015
Plume Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 320 Genre: Historical Fiction

      

 A mesmerizing tale of art and passion in Belle Époque France. As a woman, aspiring sculptor Camille Claudel has plenty of critics, especially her ultra-traditional mother. But when Auguste Rodin makes Camille his apprentice—and his muse—their passion inspires groundbreaking works. Yet, Camille’s success is overshadowed by her lover’s rising star, and her obsessions cross the line into madness. Rodin’s Lover brings to life the volatile love affair between one of the era’s greatest artists and a woman entwined in a tragic dilemma she cannot escape.

Advanced Praise for Rodin's Lover

“Rodin’s Lover is a textured historical novel that captures the indomitable spirit of artist Camille Claudel, a woman whose mighty talent was nearly eclipsed by her potent love for fellow artist Auguste Rodin. Can two passionate, creative talents thrive together or will one flame inevitably consume the other? Webb gracefully explores this ignitable relationship while illuminating Claudel’s untold heartbreak and evocative artwork. A story of human emotion, once raw and malleable, now preserved to lasting stone.” ~ Sarah McCoy, New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of The Baker’s Daughter “Rodin’s Lover is the story of Camille Claudel–one of history’s boldest and most brilliant artists. Forced to choose between a torturous love affair and the art that consumed her, Claudel is an audacious and authentic character who deserves to be remembered. RODIN’S LOVER is epic and unflinching–a book you won’t soon forget.” –Deanna Raybourn, NYT bestselling author and Rita Winner of City of Jasmine waltz “Rodin’s Lover is an evocative portrait of the talented and explosive Camille Claudel who struggled between passion as the lover of Rodin and recognition as an innovative sculptor in her own right. From smoky cafés to clay-streaked ateliers, Heather Webb has created a vivid picture of Belle Époque Paris.” –Jessica Brockmole, author of Letters from Skye “Dazzling!….. In Rodin’s Lover, author Heather Webb brings to life, with vivid detail, the story of brilliant and tormented sculptress Camille Claudel and the epic love affair with the legendary sculptor who worshiped her. Deeply moving and meticulously researched, this book will capture your heart, then hold it tightly long after the final page.” –Anne Girard, author of Madame Picasso “A rich, sensuous novel…[was] written with great empathy for the very human Rodin and his lover, this novel of the visceral world of the 19th century Paris ateliers, of clay-stained dresses and fingernails, lithe models who vow to remain and then go, family love which stays through all difficulties and talent which endures, comes vividly to life.” --Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet “Rodin’s Lover is a taut and engrossing look at sexism in the arts through the eyes of a lesser known figure, Camille Claudel, inspiring the reader to examine what’s changed and what hasn’t.” –Julie Kibler, bestselling author of Calling Me Home

Buy the Book

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About the Author

Heather Webb grew up a military brat and naturally became obsessed with travel, culture, and languages. She put her degrees to good use teaching high school French for nearly a decade before turning to full time novel writing and freelance editing. Her debut, BECOMING JOSEPHINE, released January 2014 from Plume/Penguin. Her forthcoming novel, RODIN'S LOVER, will release in winter of 2015. When not writing, Heather flexes her foodie skills or looks for excuses to head to the other side of the world. For more information, please visit Heather's website. She loves to chitchat on Twitter with new reader friends or writers (@msheatherwebb), on Facebook, or via her blog. Stop on by!

My Thoughts

Rodin's Lover is the story of Camille Claudel, French sculptor and artist in the late 1800's. She was the oldest sister of Paul Claudel who was a poet and diplomat.  As a young woman she studied with sculptor Alfred Boucher who became her mentor. She studied with him for three years then Boucher asked Auguste Rodin to take over the lessons.  Rodin is best noted for his The Gates of Hell, which depicted scenes from Dante's Inferno and The Thinker, the nude male posed with his chin in his hand. There was an attraction immediately and they became lovers. Camille also modeled for Rodin and she started working in his studio.

Even though they were intimate for a long time, Rodin was reluctant to leave his long time partner Rose Beuret. Camille was a moody young lady who became angry with Rodin frequently over Rose and his unwillingness to leave her for Camille even though he loved her desperately. After an abortion she ended the relationship with Rodin.She started showing her work and gained recognition but she was still unhappy. Her mental health got to be so bad she became slovenly and uncommunicative to the point that her brother Paul had her committed to to an asylum where she stayed the rest of her life.

This was such a bittersweet story, two volatile artists unable to commit to each other, I think that if this had been a different era things may have worked out between the two of them. I liked most of the characters in the book, except Camille's mother. What a horrible person she was, no wonder why Camille had mental issues. I vaguely remember learning about Rodin is school and I was familiar with The Thinker but I knew nothing about Camille Claudel. I believe the author did extensive research into the main characters in the story and I found I learned a lot about them and sculpting. I really enjoyed this fast reading historical novel. Heather Webb's first novel was Becoming Josephine, which I also read, reviewed and loved. If you love historical fiction then I highly recommend both books.

I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review.

Rodin's Lover Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, January 19
Review & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Review & Interview at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Tuesday, January 20
Review at Broken Teepee
Spotlight at Boom Baby Reviews
Wednesday, January 21 Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Thursday, January 22
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Friday, January 23
Review at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More
Monday, January 26
Review at Poof Books
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Tuesday, January 27
Review at Library Educated
Spotlight at The Lit Bitch
Wednesday, January 28
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Thursday, January 29
Review at Book Babe
Review at The Book Binder's Daughter
Friday, January 30
Review at Book Drunkard
Monday, February 2
Review at Unabridged Chick
Tuesday, February 3
Review at Caroline Wilson Writes
Interview at Unabridged Chick
Wednesday, February 4
Review at Brooke Blogs
Thursday, February 5
Review at A Book Geek
Friday, February 6
Review at The True Book Addict
Monday, February 9
Review at A Literary Vacation
Review at CelticLady's Reviews
Tuesday, February 10
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection
Wednesday, February 11
Review at 100 Pages a Day - Stephanie's Book Reviews
Thursday, February 12
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight at Historical Readings & Reviews
Friday, February 13 Review at The Maiden's Court