Luncheon of the Boating Party Audiobook

" difficult to get interested in! half way into the story interest is sparked when author describes the various models and their lives. also the life in france in 1880. "

" If you like detail, art history and are a francophile, you will really enjoy the unfolding story of one of Renoir's best paintings. It starts slow and builds. "

" OMG was this ever a slow read. I didn't think I would ever finish it. "

" This was pretty dreary reading, going nowhere, with too many characters but few developed. The end of the book brings together the gentle tribute to Renoir and the many people in his famous painting. It does point out the story behind the painting and the people who actually existed. However, it was about 300 pages too long. "

" Not the best plot and not the best written book I've ever read, but fun and light. For those who love Renoir (he's one of my top artists), love the painting (Luncheon is my #1 and I loved reading an interpretation of how it came to be) or love Paris (the book is set there), then this book is for you. "

" There is much to love in this book; wonderful description from an artist's viewpoint. Development of a variety of characters. I wish I read more French as many terms are not translated which is a minor distraction. "

" I couldn't finish it! I wanted to like the book, but I just never could get into it. I am in a book club though and others enjoyed it. "

" This book was beautifully written, it was just a little slow. I couldn't get into it and it took me like 4 days to read, which never happens! Also, I don't have a real appreciation for the French :) "

" I saw this book after seeing this painting in The Phillips Collection in DC. The painting was so beautiful and huge! I thought the author was very creative, and I really enjoyed the story. "

" Interesting concept. I've always wondered what artists thought about while they were painting. The author seemed very in touch with Parisian/ French living. "

" Interesting re-telling of the story of Renoir and his friends as this magnificent painting was being created. Delightful story "

" I listened to this book on audio cd and loved it. It's a great story about how Auguste Renoir came to create the famous "boating party" painting. "

" The book was OK. I thought most of the characters were flat. The author was good at describing Paris in 1880's. "

" This was very interesting--to read about a male painter by a women author. Really enjoyed it. Loved Girl in Hyacinth Blue! "

" Great read! Sparkling characters and dialogue. Takes you into Bohemian Paris and it feels like you are there experiencing the painting being created. "

" This painting has always captivated me because of the way that it captures the interactions among the people being painted. It was enjoyable to read this fictionalized account of their lives and Renoir's artistic process. "

" Susan vreeland has a way of transporting you to another time and place where you meet exciting and creative characters of history. I loved the book and can't wait to see the painting in person. "

" I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It's a very interesting telling of the painting of this wonderful masterpiece. Make you think about it completely differently! "

" I enjoyed this book. Renoir might be my favorite painter. And I've seen The Luncheon of the Boating Party in the gallery in Washington, so it really came to life for me. To know intimate details of the subjects lives and the process and struggles of the time made me adore the painting even more. "

" I didn't really enjoy it til I did some internet research on Renoir's life. In the last 1/3 of the book I became hooked (though I had to buzz through the boat race junk - I didn't like any of that). Not sure I'd recommend it as a good read... "

" Good research, not uninterestingly told. "

" I enjoyed this audio book because of all the art related discussion in the book, which might prove boring to the non-artist reader. The epinonymous (sp?) painting is my favorite painting of all time. "

" I love everything Vreeland writes. For someone who is not an artist she captures a painting, the artist and the language of art beautifully. I kept reading and looking at the cover to see the characters brought to life and color. "

" so far it's poorly written, but I'll probably finish it. It's written like the author imagines writing it in French but then writes in English. I liked her other book.... "

" These are always fun. You learn about the artist and the painting. This one was interesting because all the people in the work were personal friends of Renoir and much was already known about their lives. It was up to the writer to make the painting come alive. "

" Wonderful description, based on historical research, of how Renoir might have approached painting his masterpiece. Taught me about art and post commune France. "

" Enjoyable trip through phase of Renoir's career and Paris art scene. "

" Took forever to get through this one! I wanted so badly to love it... "

" By far one of the most delightful and interesting books I've read in a long time. So glad I got out of my book comfort zone to read it! Thanks Jan Hartzog for sharing it with me :-) "

" So lacking in entertainment and insight, I feel. Freeland's other books allowed me to feel connected to the protagonists. This one, not so much. Kind of boring and lacking complication between the characters. "