I really enjoyed the use of art history to tell a story in this universe. It worked well with what I was looking for and thought it used the elements perfectly to tell a new story. Jake Kendall has a great writing style and I’m glad I got to read this.

4.5
Book source ~ TWR Book Tour

The author takes a famous painting (or maybe not so famous) and creates a story about it. So this is a book with several short stories about artwork.

I’ll say this right off, I am no fan of art. What I know about art could probably fit into a shot glass and have room left over. It’s just not my thing. But I do love stories and this is an anthology filled with stories that happen to be about art. I was a little hesitant at first to accept this for review because of my non-existant interest in art, but the stories sounded fascinating (they are!), so I decided to give it a go. I’m so glad I did! The writing is top notch. Each story unfolds at a perfect pace and they are a wonder to behold. I even like the illustrations. Will wonders never cease? I highly recommend this collection of excellent art tales!

Have you ever looked at a painting 🎨 & imagined a vivid story behind it? These short stories are a wildly descriptive, immersive & intriguing journey that breathe life into art & its passionate creators. If you enjoy the extraordinary 👀 #thevanitas
@The_WriteReads @NeemTreePress


BOOK HAIKU

Stories woven with

artistic threads of passion

and mad obsession.


Abstract

Redemptive

Tempestuous


Vanitas

Art

Neugrabenstrasse

Imagination

Temptation

Artists

Surrealism


Full review on Good Night To Read. The Vanitas is an extraordinary experience transforming art into a living being with passions and obsessions.
https://goodnighttoread.wordpress.com/2024/02/27/history-of-art-blog-tour-the-vanitas-other-tales-of-art-obsession-by-jake-kendall/


Thanks @WriteReadsTours @JakeKendallAuth @NeemTreePress @NetGalley

The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession by Jake Kendell is a collection of 8 short stories centered around different art styles, with each story being preceded by a small black and white illustration that reflects the story that follows. Each story shows someone whose life is somehow revolving around art/paitings and how their greed/obsession/vanity surrounding it determines their fate - how art can enrich one's life but also be the trigger to someone's demise if they let negative feelings foster and lead them astray.

I'm not an art expert. I studied it superficially in middle school as a part of our history curriculum and enjoy looking at it whenever I find a new exihibition nearby or while traveling. So while I am familar with most known art styles and know a few of the most famous names, I wouldn't call myself a connoisseur in the true sense of the word. Still, as I find the subject interesting, I was immediately drawn to this book - and I can say I was not disappointed! As with any anthology, of course there will be highs and lows depending on how much each story ressonates with the reader, but this was a very strong collection. Each story had something that drew me in or that I enjoyed. I was particularly impressed by the prose - not only is it beautiful in its own right but it also seems to change and mold itself to fit the art style of the painting that precedes each story.

My favourite story of the bunch was "Thirty-Seven Neugrabenstrasse" - an absolute 5 stars for me! I loved the exploration of not only the familial relationships but also of Markus discovering his own sense of self and growing to free himself of the shackles of his family history. In addition, the historical setting in post WW2 Austria - a time I feel still doesn't get much exploration in mainstream fiction - was an added bonus.

All this said, and while I think that having some art knowledge will help increase your appreciation for this book, it is definitely not a necessity. I would absolutely recommend it both to art afficionados and laymen alike!

I would like to thank The Write Reads for organizing this review blog tour and Neem Tree Press for gifting me the eARC for this lovely book.

This review reflects only my honest opinion.

Thank you to the publisher Neem Tree Press and to Write Reads Tours for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

“The Vanitas and Other Tales of Art & Obsession” is a collection of short stories written around the theme of artists and obsession, spanning three hundred years from Renaissance Italy to the modern day and featuring some of the most well-known artists of all time. The author tells the stories of Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise” which went on to give the Impressionist movement its name, Van Gogh’s obsessive love for his cousin whose rejection led to him becoming an artist and the destructive love between a brilliant artist and an enormous fan turned muse. One thing I really loved about this collection is that it brings to life experiences from the art world that aren’t as well known- that of Marie Bracquemond, a female Impressionist, who had to quit painting due to her artist husband’s insecurity and the creation of Théodore Géricault’s most famous but controversial work “The Raft of the Medusa”- while also dealing with issues such as the Nazi ownership of looted art after World War II. The longest story in this collection is “The Vanitas”, which follows a painter named Sandro who wants to be the greatest artist in Rome despite being unable to sell a piece he’s spent months working on; however, he tries to sell it but finds that another artist, Caravaggio, has stolen Rome’s attention with his legendary altarpieces. This tale goes into detail about insecurity and obsession which leads Sandro to risk not only his career but also his life in an attempt to be famous.

This book is beautifully written and features a wide range of artistic themes, figures and subjects. I loved how the stories made me think about artists and their processes, especially ones I wasn’t already familiar with. My favourite story was definitely “The Vanitas” because I’m an enormous fan of the era and Caravaggio and I also loved the “Medusa” as it shows the impact that a fictionalised moment of a true event can have in art history. The shorter stories, like the ones about Van Gogh and Bosch’s “Earthly Delights”, all have equally bright moments in them. It definitely helps to have an interest in art or a knowledge around it to enjoy this collection but I imagine that anyone could read it and enjoy themselves.

This collection of short stories takes its inspiration from famous artworks throughout history. While the stories all have different settings, time periods, and sometimes genres, they are thematically linked.

I really enjoyed this approach to a short story collection. From many different angles the author examined the titular themes of art and obsession. It was an unusual approach but I thought it worked brilliantly! It leant into the strengths of the book’s structure, and made for a very cohesive collection.

There was a really good variety between the stories, both in genre and in length. I particularly liked the multi-part Vanitas, with its renaissance Italy setting. Composition #5 was also a favourite of mine, in the way it explored the darker side of the muse-artist relationship.

Overall this is an excellent collection of stories, unlike any other!

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I was drawn to this novel immediately because, as an artist myself, I love books that talk about art and especially about the obsession with and about art (and also because I really liked the cover). So that is how I ended up with a digital arc of "The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession" provided by NetGalley (tysm!!). The book consists of eight short stories all centring art, vanity, greed, pride, obsession, suffering, and the human condition, or so the description says.And, yeah, in a way it is correct.
At first, I was really enjoying this collection, especially because I was impressed with Jake Kendall's use of prose, and also because of the beautiful illustrations accompanying each story. Kendall is undoubtedly a great author, with excellent knowledge in how to use language and how to enamour the reader. But as I kept reading the initial aw receded and the actual core of each story became visible and, personally, I found them to be lacking. The subject of most of these stories proved to be mediocre at best, juvenile at worse with the author just circling around the point over and over and missing their target eaach time.
The story that actually lent its title to the collection was my least favorite of all to be honest. Again, the writing style was good, but it was devoid of any actual significance; in fact it seemed more like the author was trying to do several things at once but ultimately achieved nothing at all.
Another criticism that I have are the female character of the book. It doesn't bother me that almost all of the stories (except maybe one I think) feature male characters as protagonists. What does bother me, however, is that the female characters serve as mere plot tools to reaffirm or oppose the MCs, while having their own existence solely revolve around them. Even in "The Vanitas" where a female character, Fernanda, is given more of a voice than all other female characters combined in the other stories, it simply exists to advise and help Sandro's own charcter development.
The two stories that I did really like were "Composition #5" and "Thirty-Seven Neugrabenstrasse". I feel that these two shine brighter than the others.
I can't wait for this book to come out so I can see what others thought of it!

Art is my jam, everything from Caravaggio to Alessandro Bavari to Shin Kwang Ho, I am here for it. Contemporary, classic, anything not AI generated, I am all about it, so to find a book that combines art of masters and stories inspired by them, I am absolutely over the moon!

This book is stunning. So immersive, so beautiful, so very well written, I am just in awe. Jake Kendall has the ability to bring art alive, to see it beyond the usual miens and brings it alive

It is a great book for anybody that enjoys art and one of its really strong points is that it encourages the reader to also reflect on what they see

Absolutely stunning. Defo one for the collection

Thank you to Netgalley, Neem Tree Press and the authoer Jake Kendall for this incredible ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I would like tо thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy оf this book. Vanitas and Other Tales оf Art and Obsession іs a collection оf eight short stories that explore the lives and works оf famous artists, such as Monet, Van Gogh, Géricault, and Caravaggio. Each story іs inspired by a specific painting оr artistic movement, and reflects the style and technique оf the original artist. The stories are also illustrated with reproductions оf the paintings that inspired them.

The book's plot іs not linear, but rather episodic, as each story focuses оn a different artist and a different period оf art history. The stories are connected by the common theme оf artistic obsession, and how іt affects the artists' relationships, careers, and mental health. Some stories are based оn historical facts, while others are fictionalized оr speculative. The stories range from tragic tо humorous, from realistic tо fantastical, and from historical tо contemporary.

The character development іn the book іs well-done, as the author manages tо capture the personalities, motivations, and emotions оf the artists. The author also portrays the artists' struggles, challenges, and achievements, as well as their interactions with other people, such as patrons, rivals, lovers, and friends. The author does not idealize оr romanticize the artists, but rather shows them as complex and flawed human beings, who sometimes make questionable оr unethical choices for the sake оf their art.

The writing style оf the book іs impressive, as the author adapts his language and tone tо match the style and mood оf the paintings. The author uses various literary techniques, such as imagery, symbolism, metaphor, allusion, and irony, tо convey the themes and messages оf the stories. The author also experiments with different narrative structures, such as flashbacks, letters, diary entries, and interviews, tо create variety and interest. The author's prose іs rich, vivid, and expressive, and demonstrates his knowledge and appreciation оf art history and aesthetics.

The overall impact оf the book іs powerful and memorable, as the book offers a unique and creative perspective оn the lives and works оf some оf the most influential and celebrated artists іn history. The book also raises interesting and relevant questions about the nature, purpose, and value оf art, as well as the ethical and moral implications оf artistic creation. The book challenges the reader tо think critically and reflectively about the role оf art and artists іn society, and the relationship between art and reality.

The book's pacing, structure, and readability are good, as the book іs well-organized, coherent, and engaging. The book іs divided into eight chapters, each corresponding tо a story and a painting. The chapters are оf similar length and complexity, and each one has a clear beginning, middle, and end. The book іs easy tо read and follow, as the author uses clear and concise language, and provides sufficient background and context for each story. The book іs also enjoyable and entertaining, as the author uses humor, irony, and suspense tо keep the reader's attention and curiosity.

The book іs original, innovative, and insightful. The book showcases the author's talent, skill, and imagination, as well as his passion and enthusiasm for art and literature. The book іs also informative and educational, as the book provides a lot оf information and details about the artists, their paintings, and their historical and cultural contexts. The book іs also inspiring and motivating, as the book celebrates the artistic spirit and the human creativity.

I would recommend this book tо others, especially tо those who are interested іn art, history, and literature. I think this book іs suitable for readers оf different ages and backgrounds, as the book іs accessible, diverse, and universal. I think this book іs a great example оf how art and literature can enrich and enhance each other, and how they can both reflect and influence the human experience. I think this book іs a valuable and enjoyable addition tо the literary and artistic canon.

#TheVanitas #NetGalley

Art enthusiasts will find joy in this homage to the tormented artists we admire. Such a highly original concept, with a unique writing style and cleverly crafted short stories. I loved it. What a privilege to get inside the mind of a great Artist and reside for a time. I too like art ‘on a passing level’ as one of the stories brings us into the world of an art lover meeting a famous painter and how this meeting unfolds. Really interesting concept and I loved the variety of stories. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this it's a compelling read for both artists and aficionados of art. I’m so thankful to both NetGalley and Neem Tree Press for providing this Advance Reader Copy.

Fans of Art History will love this dedication to the tortured artists we know and love.

Art comes at a price, often steep, and this book captures the risks and obsessions that come with the craft. The writing is atmospheric, I felt like I was in the mind of these characters. It’s a bit too flowery at times, but that’s a personal preference rather than a critique. Overall, a worthwhile read for artists and art fans alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Neem Tree Press for this ARC.

This is a fascinating and at times a unsettling look into art enthusiasts. The narrative of each story helps highlight the important themes that are being explored. The impact the imagery has is significant. One particular story explores a muse who enjoys the attention however soon questions their artist companions intentions. Trying to describe without giving to much away however this story stood out as the complexities of such a relationship were beautifully told and the darkest parts were heartbreaking. With this kind of writing, each story in its own way was a delight to read.

Interesting vignettes with thoughtful prose and delightful stories centering on the importance of art and different perspectives and varying cultures. I think each story had its own specific voice which was really interesting, in my opinion that’s a hard thing to capture as an author.

The Vanitas were the real glue to this novel. One man’s obsession for perfection and a complex relationship with a boy that shares the same name as his child that had passed in infancy. Sandro our prideful painter misses the mark a few years shy from being a renowned painter while other painters flood the art scene of the Roman Catholic Church. Questioning his faith and ability to produce genuine artistry Sandro seeks guidance through Father Denato, who assures him he is rich with those around him and that’s more than his opponent could ever have, despite his originality.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jack Kendall, and Neem Tree Press for the access to read this in exchange for a review.

Thank you NetGalley, Jake Kendall and Neem Tree Press for this ARC and opportunity to review.

These short stories were beautifully captivating, as they put words to the emotions felt within these illustrations. Each story invoked emotion, inquiry and perspective into the mind of the perceiver of the art/reader.

Some of the quotes that stayed with me are,
"Absurd, isn't it?" the Stranger exclaimed, squeezing paint out onto a slate palette, "to think people choose to sleep through such colours!" (Impression, Sunrise)

"How can we tell the truth of our story if we prohibit parts of the narrative?" "...because the truth is less flattering in some moments than in others." (Medusa)

"Her canvases pulsated with such pure and tangible feeling that I came to view every stroke as an invitation to connect with her, an invitation sent from the brush of the artist directly into my soul, a welcome invasion of alien emotions that somehow synthesized with my own." (Composition #5)