The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Dana Marton is a surprising historical novel about an amazing women.  I learned a lot from this beautiful story of love and perserverance in 1800’s Paris and Amsterdam. Here is my book review The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Dana Marton.

Vincent Van Gogh

Much has been written of the life of Vincent van Gogh.  But little has been shared of his brother Theodore, and even less of Theodore’s wife Johanna van Gogh.  This is her story, her remarkable story.

Following the death of both Vincent and Theodore, Johanna is left alone with an infant child and no means to support herself.  She also is left with more than 700 paintings by Vincent, which no one wants or recognizes his talent.  Johanna will spend years diligently workihg to find someone, anyone, who will do a showing of the paintings.  She finds her hidden calling in serving as the agent for these still to be discovered masterpieces, in a world where women did not play such a role.  But her own survival depended on it.

The plot has a parallel story line – Los Angeles and New York present day.  We meet Elmsley Wilson, owner of an auction house.  When Elmsley’s famous grandmother passes away, Elmsley discovers a diary – the diary of Johanna Van Gogh.  Elmsley’s journey discovering how her grandmother came into possession of the diary will bring Elmsley’s life new meaning, new friends, new direction, a new love and financial independence.

The novel, though based on a real historical person, is fiction.  Marton however did extensive research and presents the facts carefully in the well written and engaging narrative of the story.  I enjoyed both story lines, but particularly loved the Johanna storyline and her determination and drive.  When she succeeds, you cheer for her out loud!

*****Five stars for The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Dana Marton.

Thank you for reading my book review The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Dana Marton.  See last week’s book review The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden.

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