Really interesting biography of the famed painter beginning with mention of his failed efforts as an assistant at Goupil's, a teacher, an evangelist, and a bookseller until his brother Theo suggested he become the artist that we know of today. Unique in that it incorporates excepts from some 800 letters he wrote into the book which adds immeasurably to the presentation in ways I've rarely come across with biographies in the past. Title was perfect as you definitely come to understand his inner struggles in becoming accepted into the art community of the time. Very good book!

The author gives us an excellent tribute to Van Gogh. Through this well written story, I learned so much more about his personal life and his battle with mental illness. His brother who was with him when he died said his last words were..."Sadness will last forever".

Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)was a troubled soul, one that sought to identify himself through hisart. Part of the allure, the attraction, the mystery and the myths thatdraw people to Van Gogh's paintings is the mystique that surrounds him.Was he mad? Was his childhood troubled? Or did he suffer someunexplained affliction, something not understood during his lifetime?Did he cut off his own ear? Or was it an accident, part of somerough-housing with his artist friend, Paul Gauguin? Did Van Gogh killhimself? Was that the ultimate tragedy that defined him for generationsof artists who followed? Or was the artist hiding some facts, thatperhaps some children had accidentally shot him, causing his earlydeath? So many unanswered questions about a powerfully creative, but sadlydisturbed mind. Art historian Liesbeth Heenk opens the door to a deeperunderstanding of this very troubled artist. Her book, Van Gogh's InnerStruggle: Life, Work and Mental Illness, uses academic studies by otherhistorians as well as a wealth of correspondence, particularly betweenthe artist and his younger brother, Theo. This book outlines not justthe artist's life, but more significantly, the illness that plagued himand drove him to create and paint as he did. The author/art historianhas allowed the artist to speak primarily for himself through all thepapers she sourced. With years of study and research behind her,including her PhD thesis on the topic of Van Gogh's drawings, the author has altered her initial opinion on this artist, allowing, through theartist's own words, to draw yet another conclusion into the innerworkings of this creative mind. This is a very valuable and insightfulwork, written to instruct both the academic and the art enthusiast.Fascinating.