The Secret Life Of Sunflowers: A gripping, inspiring novel based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh’s sister-in-law (Light & Life Series Book 1)
$14.99
Price: $14.99
(as of Nov 18, 2024 13:18:43 UTC – Details)
“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! ” Michelle 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
“It touched something in my soul.” Audrey McDonald
From the Publisher
ASIN : B0B5G1KKCZ
Publisher : Marta Molnar (July 19, 2022)
Publication date : July 19, 2022
Language : English
File size : 2991 KB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 356 pages
Customers say
Customers find the story fascinating, excellent, and well-written. They describe the book as inspiring, compelling, and full of subliminal encouragement. Readers praise the value for money as magnificent, well-done, and exquisite. They appreciate the strong female characters and humor.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
13 reviews for The Secret Life Of Sunflowers: A gripping, inspiring novel based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh’s sister-in-law (Light & Life Series Book 1)
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AJ –
Fun Read, Beautifully Written, Empowering Story!
The Secret Life of Sunflowers came into my life with a glowing recommendation from my aunt, and now I am happy to recommend the book to other people! I will say that I am not the most avid reader of historical fiction, but this book combines a historical fiction narrative about the life Johanna Van Gogh with a present-day fictional narrative about the life of Emsley Wilson, and I found both of these women’s lives and journeys to be interesting, often unexpected, and inspiring in their own ways.Both of these women find their own strength, resolve to persevere through losses and obstacles, stay true to their missions in life, push themselves out of their comfort zones, and find confidence and courage that they never imagined for themselves. I really enjoyed the themes of leaning on family and friends in difficult times, choosing to stay hopeful in the face of trials and despair, and doing your best with the circumstances in which you find yourself.Overall, The Secret Life of Sunflowers is easy to read, has excellent flow, strong characters, empowering messages, a sense of wit and humor, and vivid descriptions of settings, characters, and more intangible feelings like grief, joy, and transformation. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a relatively quick read about the importance of hope, perseverance, and inner resilience.
Aunt Peggy –
good but inconsistent – would give a 3.5 stars if I could
The subject matter of this novel was interesting to me, and I liked the parallel story-telling of the two determined women separated by more than a century. But I found the levels of reality inconsistent, making it seem as though I was reading two very different books.The story of Johanna, married to Theo van Gogh, was well researched and well told. While, of course, the day to day details of her life are partially the author’s fictionalization based on her thorough research, they did feel real and occasionally quite intense.In contrast, the story of Emsley, an auctioneer from a fairly well-to-do family, who has inherited an estate of some value from a moderately famous artist / relative, reads as quite fictional (which it is, I get it.) Characters in her part of the story feel less dimensional, and some of the events that take place in a relatively short period of time just seem unreal. Everyone Emsley deals with or encounters seem to lead smooth unencumbered lives, and the two “problems” in her story (her own precarious financial situation, and an annoying, irritating but fairly non-threatening ex) get resolved quickly and with little drama or real hardship.I read it all quickly, but mainly to read Johanna’s story.
Delores Christiansen –
Excellent read
I really enjoyed this book. Itâs about two women and itâs fascinating to see that even though thereâs 100 years between them, some things have not changed. I found it very inspiring.
DHD –
Enjoy the fiction, but we need a serious biography of Johanna Bonger.
Iâm not sure that the facts according to modern research quite line up with those presented in the book. For instance, Vincent Van Gogh may well have been accidentally shot by two boys playing with a gun instead of committing suicide. Theo may have died of syphilis which would have explained his behavior at the end of his life.Nevertheless, the importance of Jo Bonger in preserving and exhibiting the work of Vincent is a story that needs to be told. Her perseverance and commitment to the work is extraordinary.The author interweaves a story of a modern woman and her dead relative that also stresses the theme of not bringing afraid to live your life and not being deterred by the naysayers.I think that Joâs story could stand on its own , but the more contemporary narrative may appeal to readers who are not art nerds, or who enjoy romantic fantasy.
Dian –
Van Gogh back story
I loved the strength and tenacity of the women portrayed in this book. Some were more impactful than others.Although I knew about Johanna Bonger from attending Vincent Van Gogh exhibits, this novel really describes the struggles she went through to bring Van Goghâs art to the world. I think itâs worth the time. The complimentary modern story did not seem as impactful. But compliments and enables the Bonger story to shine.
MICHELE EADE –
Spectacular book
Iâm shocked that this book has garnered more buzz among critics. Excellent read that is beautifully descriptive. It transitions smoothly between time periods. I highly recommend this book.
jenny magee –
Enjoyable reading
I loved how this book flowed between the historical portion and the modern story. I enjoyed the obvious research which made the historical characters seem very real
Avid Kindle reader –
press on!
If you want to do it, you can and should and must. This is an excellent read, full of subliminal encouragement. I stayed with the stories after the lights went out and until the sun came up. Thank you Marta for your perseverance.Bliminal
Customer Lowe –
Absolutely loved all the characters and the telling of two tales. Beautifully written. Would recommend this book to any book lover
Sue P –
A very interesting read, 2 stories linking the Van Gogh family to the present day in New York. I learned a lot more about Vincent Van Gogh and his struggle for recognition, whilst being supported by his brother and sister in law.The only thing I wasnât keen on was the modern love interest between Bram and Emsley, which was too good to be true.
Sharon Ramel –
This is a treat, blending the historical with the new. I loved every moment of this book. Breathing life into a wonderful artist and strong women.
Leslie Prince –
I enjoyed the way the author married history with present time.
Maureen Grove –
This book is an inspiring tale of two women separated by several generations and continents, living through tough times.The links to the historical facts about Vincent and Theo van Gogh are fascinating and the way the author moves effortlessly into the present day story left me zipping through the chapters to get from one era to the next.