Annette S. (annette-s) reviewed on + 49 more book reviews
I Am Madame X by Gioia Diliberto revolves around the life of Virginie Gautreau, the woman who posed for John Singer Sargent's infamous painting, Madame X. To the current-day eye the portrait is of an elegant woman wearing a beautiful, sleek black dress. The waist is small and defined. The deep V-neckline, almost modest for today, revealed a lot of skin in the 1800s. But more shockingly was the fact that one strap was dangling off her shoulder in a come-hither attitude. Gasp. That "slutty" picture ended up causing a lot of strife. Later, a repentant Singer Sargent moved away from his scandal in Paris and the strap was repainted more respectably on her shoulder.
This novel, however, doesn't focus on that painting; it is centered on the life of the woman in the painting. Virginie Gautreau moved from a Louisiana plantation with her mother and sister to Paris in the 1800s. While the Civil War raged at home, Virginie took on the life of a Parisian socialite. She was a desperate housewife of her day with style and class demanded of a stricter set of social boundaries. She did not always adhere to those restrictions, though, and did not escape gossip anymore than a modern-day party girl. I really liked this book. I loved strolling with Virginie in Paris during the time of the Belle Epoque. I was lured by the elegance and grandness of the times. Mostly I was interested in the life Virginie carved out for herself. One day I hope to make a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the portrait. And when I do, I will smile, because I feel I know this woman. I know her secrets, her ambitions, and struggles. This isn't just another beautiful painting; it's Virginie.
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This novel, however, doesn't focus on that painting; it is centered on the life of the woman in the painting. Virginie Gautreau moved from a Louisiana plantation with her mother and sister to Paris in the 1800s. While the Civil War raged at home, Virginie took on the life of a Parisian socialite. She was a desperate housewife of her day with style and class demanded of a stricter set of social boundaries. She did not always adhere to those restrictions, though, and did not escape gossip anymore than a modern-day party girl. I really liked this book. I loved strolling with Virginie in Paris during the time of the Belle Epoque. I was lured by the elegance and grandness of the times. Mostly I was interested in the life Virginie carved out for herself. One day I hope to make a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the portrait. And when I do, I will smile, because I feel I know this woman. I know her secrets, her ambitions, and struggles. This isn't just another beautiful painting; it's Virginie.
Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
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