The Secret Life Of Sunflowers
A gripping, inspiring novel based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh’s sister-in-law
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4.3 • 194 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
“This book draws all the emotions out of you. I went from tears to snorting with laughter. It was both lighthearted and heart breaking, yet it inspires me to live my best life!” Michele Cox
When Hollywood auctioneer Emsley Wilson finds her famous grandmother's diary while cleaning out her New York brownstone, the pages are full of surprises. The first surprise is, the diary isn't her grandmother's. It belongs to Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law.
Johanna inherited Vincent van Gogh's paintings. They were all she had, and they weren't worth anything. She was a 28 year old widow with a baby in the 1800s, without any means of supporting herself, living in Paris where she barely spoke the language. Yet she managed to introduce Vincent's legacy to the world.
The inspiration couldn't come at a better time for Emsley. With her business failing, an unexpected love turning up in her life, and family secrets unraveling, can she find answers in the past?
“This book was so much more than I had expected, and I had high expectations... one of the most beautiful stories I've read in years.” Kaela Stokes
Customer Reviews
Inspiring Story
Fantastic characters, kept me very engaged as I flew through the book. It’s the kind of book that now that’s it’s over, I’ll miss the characters!
Eh..
Interesting read, but leave much to be desired. I was more interested in Jo’s story than anyone else in the book. The ending felt rushed and the time jumps left more questions than answers. Prompted me to go do some more research myself.
The Secret Life of Sunflowers
The secret life of sunflowers was a good read. It reminded me of another favorite, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.
The three brave women, generations apart, shared a tenacity to keep pushing forward even when the path seemed blocked or hopeless. They moved on ahead. I may go back and read it a second time, and a third. I enjoyed the art references and foundation from beginning to end.
Thank you, Marta, for sharing your research about this amazing woman and “ the rest of the story” by conjuring up the two other women over three generations later. Keep on writing!
You did well.