Dear Theo

The Autobiography of Vincent van Gogh

By: Irving Stone, Jean Stone

Narrated by: Clive Chafer

Length: 21 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Each night, when the hours of painting and drawing were over, Vincent van Gogh put pen to paper and poured out his heart through letters to his beloved brother, Theo, his confidant and companion. No thought was too small, no element of his craft too insignificant, no happening too trivial. It was all scrupulously recorded and shared.

In these letters, Van Gogh reveals himself as artist and man. Even more than if he had purposely intended to tell his life story, Van Gogh’s letters lay bare his deepest feelings, as well as his everyday concerns and his views of the world of art. Irving Stone has edited the letters of Vincent in such a way as to retain every line of beauty, significance, and importance. “It is my humble opinion that Vincent was as great a writer and philosopher,” Stone says, “as he was a painter.”

©1937 Irving Stone (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“An extraordinary book… and a great one.” ( New York Times)

“A great book, the greatness of a man in his own words.” ( The Nation)

If you love Van Gogh

The reading of his letters to his brother is insightful, but not terribly entertaining and is one-sided without Theo's letters.

The letters of Van Gogh in a manageable way.

Reading through personal correspondence isn't always easy but any lover of painting wants to read the extensive letters Vincent Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo. Irving and Jean Stone make it enjoyable by editing and joining letters to make it more of a narrative. perhaps too much. I would have liked a bit more division and Labels as clearly different latter's sometimes run together. The reader is good though sometimes monotone. I am very glad to have listened to this.

Vincent Van Gogh could have been a great writer.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in art and artists. It completely contradicts the popular Hollywood version of Van Gogh.

What did you like best about this story?

His amazing skills as a writer. When he describes a scene it's a vivid as his art.

What does Clive Chafer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As these are letters written by Van Gogh the performance isn't really important.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not applicable.

his own words

enjoyed looking up the artists and literature he talks about.
also this inspires me to go out and draw from life and nature.

Haircolorguy_

I thought is was a great read and I look forward to many more ,on this subject .

Awesome!!

An amazing insight into Vincent Van Gogh's mind! I didn't like the narrator's voice but the rendition was excellent. I highly recommend this audio book.

Fabulous Book, Breathlessly Read

Van Gogh's letters to Theo, his brother, his confidante, and his only financial support, offer a intimate glimpse into his struggle to be an artist at the dawn of modernity. One of a number of late 19th century artists rebelling against the norms of classical and realistic art, Van Gogh fought personal poverty, public hostility, professional scorn as well as his own demons to hammer out his life's work. The letters chronicle his challenges. Deeply thoughtful and eloquent, they give voice to his difficulties in learning how to how to draw and paint, express his financial worries and schemes, and offer his personal take on artists he loved and loathed. This Audible edition is fun to listen to, but the reader reads too quickly (perhaps they gave him a time limit?) Without pausing sufficiently, one thought or idea piles up behind another, and the listener sometimes can't absorb the material, enjoy a lovely sentence, or just ponder Van Gogh's often penetrating insight. Still, it's definitely worth a listen, especially if you have a hard copy to accompany the audio version or just remember to turn it off every once in a while to let the thoughts of Van Gogh's volcanic personality sink in.

The best book I've ever read

Who would have known that Vincent van Gogh could write as beautifully as he painted? this book is uplifting, inspiring and heart wrenching. The letters he writes to his brother are exceptionally descriptive and not only give insight into the world of fine arts that is enough to inspire even the least artistic person to at least view art through a different lens, but they also give so much insight into mental illness and the difference between pain and suffering. Hands down, one of the most interesting and entertaining books I've ever read. I'll be buying a hard copy just so I can see all the sketches that are mentioned.

Not bad but I would look elsewhere

The narrator a bit monotone.

Biggest complaint many French quotes and phrases direct from Vincent but the narrator doesn’t translate so it sounds beautiful but of no use to non French speakers. Many of these are important to the story.

If you know Vincent's life story already this is a perfect audio book for you.

I wanted to try this because I was a fan of Lust For Life the movie and the audio book. Since Irving Stone was the author of Lust For Life I felt his editing of Vincent's letters could be trusted. I always wanted to read his letters so when I found this audio book I was excited.

This audio book is over 21 hours long. It is straight from his letters and is the words of Vincent. It gives you very detailed times during his life. If you know his story already and want his feelings and take on his life this is a perfect book. I believe you will enjoy it as much as I do.