Mrs Van Gogh: The breathtaking historical novel inspired by the true story of the woman who made Van Gogh famous

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I did not come away from this book with a good feeling, or like I learned something, instead I felt like this book was more fiction than fact, and while I understand that historical fiction is not 100% fact, there should be a basis on the truth that I felt was missing here at times. With a little fictional license thrown in, we join Jo arriving in Paris, after an embarrassing love with a married co-worker became public, and is set to ruin her families reputation. Theo was determined that Vincent's art would be exhibited, and that he would become famous, but events overtook the couple and Theo was never to see this happen.

Theo's younger sister Wil stayed with Jo during her pregnancy and after the baby's birth, helping the new mother. After Vincent’s death and then Theo’s six months later she became the owner of most of Vincent’s artwork including paintings, sketches and his letters.

I’m a big fan of Impressionism and post Impressionism and Van Gogh’s works are some of my favourites. She is sent to Paris under the care of her brother Dries, whilst her parents consider which rich widower they could marry her off to to deflect the shame she has inflicted on their family. I wish my cover looked like the one on Goodreads at least it would make for a beautiful coffee table book. The legacy and renown of Vincent van Gogh the long-suffering artist began to spread in the years after his death, first in the Netherlands, and Germany and then throughout Europe. This drives the plot as she meets various artists, most of whom have famous names with imagined personalities.

She also stayed in touch with Émile Bernard, who helped her to promote Vincent van Gogh's paintings. A Maltese mother and a British father, Caroline now lives on the Wirral and is also known as bestselling author Caroline Smailes (THE DROWNING OF ARTHUR BRAXON). But twenty-eight year old Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger, Vincent's sister-in-law and the keeper of his immense collection of paintings, sketches and letters, has, until now, been written out of history.I highly recommend this novel to everyone who loves historical fiction with heart, depth and imagination. My only criticism is that the “women are not equal to men” narrative gets is a bit too overt at times. Jo visited her in the mental hospital and held Vincent's paintings owned by Wil in trust, selling some to pay for her hospitalization. The author paints a beautiful picture (no pun intended) of how events and relationships may have unfolded, and it is entirely believable.