Introduction

Donna Russo's 'Vincent's Women' is the untold story of Vincent's loves: how they shaped his life, his art, and his death. It writes against the 'myths, ' exploring the possibility that none of them are true. It is the only novel to bring into question his sexuality, how he lost his ear, who he lost it for, and how he might have died, all through the eyes of a woman. We learn of Her; we learn all of it through Her.

The story is guided by Johanna van Gogh Bonger, Vincent's sister-in-law, as she decides to reveal the truth about Vincent to her son. We are then taken on a journey through Vincent's life, each section bringing a pivotal moment of Vincent's life alive while showing us the part she played in bringing it about. Between each woman, our guide, Johanna, gives us the transitional periods, right up to his death, which is now in question.

Hundreds of the nearly thousand letters between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo, now considered one of the greatest documents of the human experience, were used to help construct this novel, its narrative, and dialogue, especially the dialogue of Vincent himself.

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most well-known artists of all time. The world knows of his madness, traumas, and suicide. But what if all that we know isn't true? What if this knowledge is based on rumors and nothing more? What if his true story is vastly different when based on factual material and forensic information? What if the truth of Vincent's life-his madness and his genius-is defined by his never-ending search for love?

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Discussion Questions

From the publisher:

1. By the opening of the book, it is clear that Johanna van Gogh will be the guide through the story. Why is she the best person to do so? Did anything in her first remarks illicit surprise?

2. Discuss the repercussions of Anna van Gogh naming her first living child, but her second birthed, Vincent. Did she have ulterior motives in doing so? If so, are they valid? Would you ever consider doing as Anna did?

3. What, if any, aspects of Vincent’s childhood caused consternation? How might they affect him as an adult? Discuss the nature versus nurture aspect of Vincent van Gogh in light of the information about Anna’s family history, Anna’s nature, and the atmosphere of Vincent’s formative years.

4. Jo informs us that Vincent compared how his parents left him at boarding school to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (letter #101). What does such a statement tell us of Vincent himself? Is there more than one aspect of his personality revealed in the comment?

5. What kind of woman was Eugenie Loyer? She is described as a beautiful girl. Though perhaps not as beautiful as she thought; what do these lines reveal about her? How did she treat Vincent? Can her behavior toward him be justified in any way? Why does she have to believe she did no harm?

6. Discuss the consequences in Vincent’s life after the disappointment from Eugenie Loyer? Was his response suitable to the event? Why or why not? Was his family’s response to his behavior appropriate or not?

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