René Bernard Novel - An Intro To the Historical Love Novel

From Kirkus - Book Review
Who could have guessed that Rene’ Bernard, the son of an oysterman, would
become one of the most legendary painters of the impressionist era? A
childhood illness provides the opportunity to escape the family and instead
attend art school in Lyon. From there, Rene’ goes to Paris, like all painters
of his generation, to make a name for himself amid the squalor and
brilliance of the city’s bohemian arts community. It is in Paris that he first
lays eyes on the Flower Girl, a woman of beauty and intrigue who
immediately steals his heart: “This young girl had hair of long beautiful
brown curls that fell from her head and surrounded her shoulders. Her skin
was as clear and unblemished as a newborn baby.” ………………Kirkus Mac
Dougall writes in a stylistic prose that brings Rene’s Paris to life with gritty
detail: “She had a bit of a purse but dressed in rags. Tongues had come to
Paris to blend in and make a life for herself, whatever that might mean. She
took a room in the least expensive district, living with an alcoholic woman,
and her lover, another alcoholic woman”. …………………..Kirkus In a time
when art can make a man famous or destroy his life, this budding painter
must determine what cost he is willing to pay for immortality.
…………..Kirkus Soldiers, ladies, and a trained lion round out the cast of
characters of Rene’s colorful milieu. ………Kirkus