Being a student of the Impressionists I looked forward to this read. I sometimes felt I was reading about Van Gogh for some reason although he and Manet had different problems. Gibbon's gave us some great ideas to dwell on which I sometimes needed to reread and think about, like one can love many things such as even carrots. Although my father said how can you love carrots. And then the idea of always comparing everything. Just take it for what it is and look at the good things about them or it.

I really like Manet's paintings, wishing he could have lived longer. Interesting the way Gibbon has the novel in diary form and it is a quick read, if one doesn't stop too often to think about some of the profound statements.

Very appealing book cover. Book covers do mean a lot when shopping for my next read.