It was a bit hard to follow it, because the characters weren`t as interesting as i had hoped. But it was still enjoyable.

2.75 stars.

The premise of this book is very intriguing and it's a story I have never heard. Vincent Van Gogh did not keep track of his paintings and in the mid-1900's, many prints came to light that were either thought lost, or never even known. There were many experts that validated the paintings, then invalidated them. Millions of dollars were spent on paintings that were later found to be forgeries. This story delves into the world of the art dealers and artists and the impact they had during the turbulent ramping up to WWII.

It is split between 3 individuals, each getting about 1/3 of the book. It does follow chronologically, so at least we don't have to worry about what is happening and when.

The story just didn't resonate with me. The first story I was able to follow fairly well. I didn't necessarily connect with the characters, but I could keep up. The next two were much too random for me. It took awhile to catch up and then I didn't particularly love the characters. I'm not sorry I finished it, but I probably wouldn't recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In the Full Light of the Sun follows three Berliners as they find themselves wrapped up in the life and dealings of a Matthias Rachmann and the fate of famous van Gogh paintings. Their lives coincide at various parts, each playing an important role in the development of the others.

I felt slightly confused while reading parts of this book. The three storylines following Julius, Emmeline, and then the lawyer felt very disconnected at times. While I appreciated the approach, I think it was unfocused as to the point of the story and forced a subplot to be the main driving force.

That being said, Clare Clark did a great job of creating unique and interesting characters. Her three storytellers are very different from one another and they each bring their own perspective to their approach.

Thank you Netgalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Clare Clark for free e-Arc in return of my honest review.

I was super excited to get approved for In The Full Light of the Sun. My favourite genre - historical fiction, with some mystery and Van Gogh paintings are all amazing ingredients for a great book. It is the story of Mattias Rachmann, young art dealer, told from other people perspectives - Julius (art critic), Emmeline (young artist) and Frank (the lawyer). Through their eyes the reader sees how manipulative Mattias is.

SPOILERS

I liked the story line and how it was told from different angles. The narrative was smooth and easy to follow. I especially enjoyed Emmeline's chapters - her character came alive. She struggled to find her artistic self, she was no doubt talented but did not find her own style yet. I liked that during that turbulent time (the rise of Nazi in Germany and the implementation of antisemitic and homophobic laws) she did not struggles with her sexuality and femininity.

At the same time, I find the story lacks conclusions. It has all the facts presented to the reader but nothing to tie them with. There are a few scenes that were just thrown in there without further development. For instance, the story about Mattias's mother in the Retirement Residence. The whole character of Mattias is underdeveloped. Essentially, the story is about him and his forgeries but there is no reasoning and no background. There are only bits and pieces to shed light on the full scope on the story - Mattias's brother and his bitterness of bad reviews, their lack of money (supposedly).

Overall, it is a fine book, a bit unfinished to my personal taste but with great potential. I cannot wait to hear from Clare Clark in future.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. A full review will be posted on Amazon and Goodreads

This was an interesting and atmospheric concept for a novel. I liked the historical detail but did at times find myself not very engaged with the plot or the characters. I do think the cover is beautiful!
Many thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for a copy of this book. Very much an average read for me. Was really looking forward to reading this historical novel set around the Jewish persecution in the 1940s and the so called fakery of Van Gogh paintings. I found the book confusing flitting between the subjects of race, art and sexuality, too many characters to be able to form a relationship with. Almost two books in one, enjoyed the second half but had almost forgotten the first half, as it seemed like another book.

Very well written but on the slower side. I wish we’d gotten to spend more time with certain characters.

Germany caught between the Kaiser and the Nazis has had its share of fictional coverage. Clare Clark’s In The Full Light Of The Sun draws its inspiration from real life events that unfolded in the 1920s, when several German-brokered Van Gogh paintings changed hands for ridiculously high prices. But the paintings, initially authenticated as genuine, were determined to be fakes. The ensuing art scandal, with all its accusations and intrigue, rocked Berlin’s artistic establishment and changed the reputation and fates, for better or worse, of several prominent art critics, gallery owners, entrepreneurs and the like.

Ms. Clark uses the underpinnings of this well-researched drama to weave a cast of characters based upon their real life counterparts. Julien is her renowned and respected art critic, in love with Van Gogh’s paintings. Matthias is the would-be gallery owner; if he could obtain just a Van Gogh or two his fortune would be made. Other people, perhaps completely fictional, perhaps drawn from historical figures, interact with these two central characters, providing readers with insights into various aspects of life in Berlin between the wars.

The novel is apportioned into three parts, each with a different point-of-view protagonist. While the underlying plot, the Van Gogh subterfuges, remains constant throughout the book, the changing points of view do not allow readers the opportunity to bond with any one particular character. Just when a reader begins to like, or dislike, or simply understand the central character of a section, that portion of the book ends and the protagonist becomes regulated to the back burner while a new lead character inhabits the spotlight. Especially in the first two thirds of the novel, where duplicitous, scheming and vengeful conduct consistently emerges, more insight into the souls of the primary actors would help the reader to understand why they act as they do.

An abrupt shift in focus also occurs in the last third of the novel. Having spent two thirds of the book observing late 1920s German life styles, amid a precarious economy and chaotic political structure, the last portion of the book shifts to 1933. The chaos is over, the Nazis are in power and Jews, homosexuals, Communists and other non-Aryan undesirables are about to be annihilated. Ms. Clark conveys insight into why so many of the people on the precipice of ruin choose not to flee their country, and she creates an empathetic family for the reader to embrace. But, prior to this portion of the novel, these family members were not mentioned, and the coming nightmare that became Germany in the 1930s and 1940s was barely alluded to.

The point-of view character in the final third of the book is the attorney who had defended the gallery owner against charges of Van Gogh art fraud. At one point, the attorney indulges in a favorite lawyerly pastime: reviewing his performance after the trial is over; trying to determine where he went wrong. The lawyer theorizes, “The story I told the court was logical enough, but it forgot what every child with a picture book knows, that a good story need more than a villain or twelve. It needs a hero.” Had Ms. Clark taken her lawyer’s advice, and created a consistent, heroic character whose presence was felt from the first through the last page, it may have granted readers greater empathy and insights into the people, place and events of Germany on the brink of catastrophe.

My love affair with Van Gogh began in the summer before my freshman year of college. I was particularly obsessed with Josh Groban’s self-titled debut album. Once during my who-knows-how-many times listening of the CD, yep, the CD, I finally stopped to listen to the words of a song called Vincent. It was haunting and beautiful and incredibly sad. It was possibly the first time in my life that I felt that depth of hopelessness in a song (don’t judge, I was 18 and knew nothing). So, I replayed the song and booted up my laptop, which I thought was incredibly cool even though it weighed 20 pounds and still needed a wire to connect to the internet. Then I searched Starry Starry night by Vincent Van Gogh.

I have never in the 16 years since (don’t do the math, that’s rude) forgotten that moment. It was spell binding. Sitting on my mother’s couch, gazing at swirls of paint that felt like they were moving. I fell into that painting like countless other people have, losing sense of time and space, imagining what it would feel like to be sitting at that café table, under those stars, in that moment. I swear, it changed me. I finally understood the transformative power of art, and I would never go back.

My point in telling this story, is for you to understand where I am coming from when I started reading this book. I read the blurb seeing Van Gogh before anything else. I saw the stunning cover filled with his familiar brush strokes, and knew I needed to read this piece of historical fiction. I am so glad that I did.

The tri-character storytelling model was extremely unique because of the way it was executed. Each narrator exists in subsequent chapters told by other characters, but they are no longer the focus. Clare Clark filled in gaps of knowledge by learning other perspectives, but never took the story backwards. She constantly moved the narrative without sacrificing backstory or history. I can’t say enough how difficult this is to do.

The setting of the book, Germany directly following World War I, felt like watching a sunset. You are surrounded by light, beauty, and grace, but slowly the shadows begin to creep in. At first, it’s a comforting softness, dulling the glare of war, but before you realize what is happening, the shadows have deepened. They have lengthened and blackened until everything is consumed in its darkness. Even when you notice what is happening, the inevitability of time makes you powerless to stop it. Reading a story during this time period feels much the same.

What I found I enjoyed most about In the Full Light of the Sun was its unpredictability. Every time I thought I knew what this story was truly about or what was going to happen, time would jump forward or the plot would suddenly shift directions. This was even more palpable when the narrator would change.

On a side note, there were several references in this book to famous people of the times. Most notably, for me anyway, were the references to Josephine Baker. I had honestly never hear of Josephine Baker, until I was asked to review a book about her called, Josephine Baker’s Last Dance. Since then, I have noticed her name multiple times, and have to admit to finding her fascinating.

What’s Missing

If a book falls short of a 5 star rating, I try to figure out why instead of leaving it to the whim of my feelings. Sometimes, I am successful with this, sometimes I’m not. The only reason I didn’t give this a full 5 star rating is mostly a feeling. I didn’t have any to wholly root for, so possibly I wasn’t as nervous or didn’t feel as much stress when things happened to each character.

Conclusion

Tragic and wonderfully written, In the Full Light of the Sun’s pages are filled with an artists joy and a prisoner’s desperation.

*Special thanks to Clare Clark, HF Virtual Book Tours, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a copy of In the Full Light of the Sun in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this complicated, masterful novel loosely based on a true story involving Van Gogh forgeries in 1920s and 30s Berlin. Art critics, art collectors, artists and art forgers crowd the pages and fill the book with their foibles and passions. Front and center is Van Gogh, as his biographer, Julius, begins divorce proceedings against his wife. Van Gogh is Julius’s life and his soul mate. The painter’s torments and passions, often quoted from his letters to his brother Theo, follow him like a swirling mass of stars as Julius goes about his daily life. When Rachmann, the novice art collector, enters his life, his innocence and determination haunt Julius too, as he remembers what it felt like to be in the young man’s position.

Surrounding them is a terrible inflation, but Julius is sure he has enough money to get his household through, though his wife’s demands include her shocking theft of his own personal Van Gogh. Rachmann brings him found art and Julius pronounces upon it, but this is where the story begins to take a darker turn, just as the society around them does.

There is everything to love about this novel, it’s fulsome, literary, and utterly engrossing. There are special authors and books, even with as much as I read, which bring a more potent light into my life—I was reaching for this book even as I was waking up in the morning, lingering in my mind during the day until I could get home and pick it up again. I live for books like this one, and I can hardly describe the feeling, except to call it a deep satisfaction.

This book was received as an ARC from the publisher and Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own


Willem van Gogh
“What I do may be a kind of lie, but only because it tells the truth more plainly.”


Clare Clarke, In The Full Light of the Sun, set in 1920s Berlin, between the First & Second World Wars, in a time when Germany was facing climatic political turbulence.

The Authors ability to cleverly divide her narrative voice into three distinctive times, was easy to follow and immensely enjoyable. The books multi layered time frames are set in 1923, 1927 and 1933, with mixed POV’s. Told through the views of Julius, a middle-aged art critic; Emmeline, a young bisexual artist; and Frank, a Jewish lawyer. All three have one distinct thing in common Matthias, a young aspiring Art dealer, who a desire to open his gallery.

What really I really enjoyed was the use of historical events to masterly create a storyline that draws upon a real life scandal that shocked the Berlin Art World.
The riveting discovery of a number of previously unknown works by Van Gogh.
At first they are authenticated, but later they are declared to be forgery. Clark’s compelling literary novel is suspenseful, and gripping atmospheric portrait of Berlin during turbulence of Hitler’s rise to power. A must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Clare Clarke, delivers quite the impressive, clever, complex, tension-filled and well-written read here that was extremely well-plotted, multi-layered. Faced paced with well developed characters make for a dramatic read.
This highly recommend getting your hands on a copy!


Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of them in the last two years of his life.

According to British journalist and art historian Martin Bailey says the patch of floor in front of the Sunflowers in London’s National Gallery gets more scuffed than any other part of the museum, and the Sunflowers are the number one bestseller postcard at London’s National Gallery gift shop.

Are you a fan of Van Gogh?

I definitely am, I took at a special trip to see some of this amazing artists work in person at the Chicago Museum of Art.

The Art Exhibit : In Van Gogh’s Bedrooms

"I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream." I Vincent van Gogh

This is such a vivid book. It beautifully captures the chaos and decadence of 1920’s Berlin, followed by the terror of the rise to power of the National Socialist Party. Skilfully told through the eyes of three characters, each allowing us a different perspective, a different level of access into the unfolding of this tale of deceit and cunning. A tale in which we are never sure where the truth lies.
Based on a true story of art fraud, surrounding the ‘discovery’ and sale of Van Gogh paintings, we are caught up not in the mechanics and thrill of the crime itself, but instead in the human cost to the those involved. And those on the edges, those who are draw in and whose lives are touched and altered by the events.
There is a wide political agenda and backdrop, particularly in the rise of anti-semitism and the breakdown of Berlin’s civilised society .

This was a fascinating read if you enjoy art and European history. I learned a lot about Van Gogh and the art scene in Berlin after WWI. This book was told in 3 sections from 3 different character’s perspectives. I do agree with other reviews that the 3rd/last section felt a bit disconnected. The character was not someone who had appeared earlier in the book and sometimes it felt like it didn’t really fit in with the rest of the story. Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Netgalley for the ARC.

This book is based around the true story of fake Van Gogh paintings that were sold in Berlin pre-WWII. It is told in three parts- the first is based around an art authentication, Julian; the second a budding artist called Emmeline; the last a lawyer called Frank. Throughout the three parts is Matthias who at first seems like a pleasant, romantic young man but is steadily revealed to be a lot more. I found Emmeline’s section the least gripping. In the last part, Berlin is becoming a frightening place to live for Jews and this part was quite horrifying. I enjoyed this book and the writing was quite beautiful but it doesn’t ever feel urgent or dramatic enough for four stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to read "In the Full Light of the Sun" when I received it. Told in three parts, the first part deals with an art critic going through a messy divorce who has an unhealthy obsession with a Vincent van Gogh self-portrait, however I quickly found the pace to be slow and tough to get through. It wasn't badly written but it felt like walking through mud. In the second part the action changes to highlight another character but I found myself with no compulsion to continue.

I think I expected a different sort of book with more on Van Gogh’s story and biography instead of another World War II novel. Nevertheless the author was extremely descriptive and I enjoyed following the plot. It was a little slow in many spots but still a good read.

"Paintings are not potatoes. To write about art you must speak as art speaks, passionate and directly to the soul."

If you're an art buff and you like historical fiction, then this is a book to be devoured! In the span of 15 years we cover three main areas in German society, mostly set in Berlin, spun together by a massive heist in the art world.
All characters go from high to low and eventually find their way back. Meanwhile one Van Gogh painting goes missing and quite a few more seem to be forged.

In part one we get to know Julius, an art critic who has written a bestseller on Van Gogh and is well respected in the art world. The 1920's are a good place to be, with WW1 over and the country on the rise. Until the monetary crash sets in and his life changes dramatically.
We also follow Matthias, a young aspiring dealer with a dream of one day opening his own art gallery.
Among their circle of friends is Emmeline, who takes us into part two of the book, showing the reader her struggle to make it as an artist. We are moving on in time, 1927, and Matthias has opened his gallery. The financial crisis behind us, we now enter the rise of Nazism and the hatred for Jews.
There are many dealings in the art world and out of the blue some Van Gogh paintings turn up. Matthias is accused of selling forgeries.
Arriving at part three, the year 1933, where we meet Frank, the lawyer who lost Matthias' case, which got Matthias arrested and sent to prison without any concrete evidence.
Germany is slowly being trampled by nazis, Jews are fleeing the country and Frank, himself a Jew, is struggling to keep a job.
Throughout all these personal events, the most likely forged Van Gogh paintings are still investigated and the real one Julius once owed is still missing. Frank makes it his mission to solve the case, for lack of something better to do.

"In the Full Light of the Sun" is an intriguing read, moving at a pleasant pace, well written and beautifully crafted. The characters are true to life and set in vivid scenery.
I could have done with a bit more excitement in the ending, but all in all a book worthy of its title, right where it should be.

Thank you Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the ARC.

It’s hard to write about this book. On one side, the descriptions of Berlin absolutely glitter and shine through all the grim and sadness of an ever changing political climate. Some of the passages are like taking a waking tour of Berlin in the years after WW1; hope and struggle, hand-in-hand as they guide you through there world.

Unfortunately you are forced to walk with characters who come and go without proper introduction, and some who teeter on the edge of becoming real only to pull back and disappear into back alleyways.

I really wanted to love this book, I love the Weimar Period and the first part of the book was the ideal catalyst for so many variables, it was incredibly strong and would have been fascinating to see it built on, instead the author changes focus, new characters appear, while starting characters and their plot lines are given honorable mention and quickly explained and in the end, the reader is left feeling lost and disappointed.