Camille Claudel: A Novel [Paperback]

Alma H. Bond Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2005

Camille Claudel, an old lady confined to the Asylum for the Insane in Montdevergues, France, reviews her life. She says, “I hope my memoir will illustrate the heights of passion Rodin and I reached, and unravel the mystery of why they were transformed into vinegar and ashes.” The tragedy is not only hers, she adds, but that of many female artists who found it impossible to achieve the success of men artists of lesser ability. The book illuminates her childhood and the rise of her career in the setting of her ecstatic life with Rodin. Their ten years of bliss are followed by the disintegration of her love for him, and its evolution into hatred and psychosis. The last third of the book describes the horrors of Claudel’s life in the asylum, ending with the highly original manner in which she comes to terms psychologically with Rodin and the other important figures in her life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (December 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1424116708
• ISBN-13: 978-1424116706
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,610,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My 19th book, Michelle Obama, a Biography, will be be published by Greenwood Press in February, 2012. Jackie O: On the Couch, was just published by Bancroft Press. Some PR about the book:
"In this fascinating psycho-biography, psychoanalyst Dr. Alma H. Bond takes us into the eloquent and complex mind of the unforgettable Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. A much-remembered fashion icon throughout the 1960s, and famously reticent first lady of the assassinated president, John F. Kennedy, her voice is finally available for readers. Exploring Onassis's lavish but demanding upbringing, two marriages, and one final relationship, Bond proves that this mysterious woman's voice is worth listening to. In addition, the book demonstrates how this glamorous but grieving widow deserves the appreciation and respect she did not always receive during her lifetime. Written in the first-person, Jackie O: On the Couch demonstrates convincingly what Onassis's voice would have been like if she had actually written an autobiography. The reader discovers how this woman distinguished herself as a dedicated wife and mother, and later, as a hard-working and devote d book editor. Onassis lived through some of the most important times of history and attempted to pick up the pieces of her life after frequent mourning, and sometimes frequent media criticism. Fleshed out beautifully through descriptions and sentiments, this alluring icon's identity is, ultimately, fully and finally unveiled to readers--it is a gem of a book that many readers the world over will find irresistible."

-Clara RobertsTowson, MD


I am now hard at work on Lady Macbeth: On the Couch. Freud said that nobody knows why she helped Macbeth to kill King Duncan. To find out why, read the book.
All my future biographies will be published under the brand, On the Couch, by Bancroft Press. Many of my earlier biographies will be republished under that brand name.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mayra Calvani -- TCM REVIEWS, December 2, 2006

By 

Mayra Calvani "Multi-genre author and reviewer." (Brussels, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Camille Claudel: A Novel (Paperback)

In this her latest novel, psychoanalyst-turned-author Alma H. Bond offers the reader a beautiful, yet highly disturbing portrait of Camille Claudel, the gifted French sculptress from the late 1800's who was mistress to famous sculptor Auguste Rodin.

The story is told in first person through the eyes of Camille herself as she writes her own story while confined to an asylum, where she tragically spent the last thirty years of her life.

In lovely detail Camille pens her life from her early childhood to her very last days, giving a grim glimpse of her love/hate relationship with her mother, her love, edging on incest, to her younger brother, her struggle with the male-dominated artistic establishments of the time, and her turbulent, obsessive, destructive affair with Rodin, who was a married man.

The tale is addictive and totally engrossing. Bond brings to life the dark workings of Camille's genius mind, from her deepest obsessions to her paranoia. Camille comes across as an arrogant, selfish, ambitious yet complex and tragically frail figure of her times, when women artists were nothing more than "anomalies." Most remarkable is the gradual change in Camille's mind as she becomes more and more unstable. Flawlessly crafted and beautifully written, Camille Claudel: A Novel comes highly recommended from this reviewer.

*This review originally appeared on TCM Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art History Comes Alive in Novel, October 2, 2006

By 

W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Camille Claudel: A Novel (Paperback)

It would take a psychoanalyst along with the help of a great writer to tell this strange story based on a real life artist. The book "Camille Claudel: A Novel" accomplishes this task by having all those professional qualities already in form of author Alma H. Bond. She has spent her adult working life helping people to cope with their emotional disorders; and she is a brilliant writer of obvious talent. Combining these talents with what appears to be extensive and deep research, she has fashioned a historical novel of some importance. She has filled in gaps of missing information with her creative and fertile imagination. She puts herself right into the shoes of Camille.

For most people, even those who have studied some art history, there may not be any name recognition for a French women sculptor named Camille Claudel. But most every one has some knowledge of her married lover Auguste Rodin, the famous sculptor. This story crosses over may lines--prejudice against women, adultery, mental illness, a dysfunctional family, tragedy, romance, betrayal, a possible incestuous relationship, art, and being forced to live your last 30 years of life in a "nut house". This story is epic and very sad as well. The author paints Camille as a victim with a borderline personality disorder of some kind; but she still comes across as a sympatric character in this story.

Bond allows the story to unfold through the diaries and letters of Camille as she writes her memories while still confined inside the insane asylum. This is in the early 1900's and there wasn't much enlightened treatment for those patients whose families had them committed to such places. The story goes back to her childhood and to desires to become a famous sculptor. Her family does nothing to encourage these talents. She goes off seeking art training and eventually is accepted as the only female student of Rodin. Long training hours and working together leads to an adulterous affair and their licit relationship began.

There are many side issues and emotional problems as this life story is rolled out in the novel. One cannot help but to think how close the author has captured the real story. Did Rodin actually take credit for some of her art work? Was there an incestuous relationship with her brother? Was she a victim in all her undoing or was she really insane? The book makes for some very fascinating reading. It will stir the heart and curiosity of all artists and art lovers. It may open some interesting college campus discussions and debates between art students and even historians.

The book is an adventure story and will take you emotionally all over the inner landscape of your heart and mind. If you accept the theory that she was truly a victim of many people in her life and society then this book may anger you to some degree over the injustices. However, if she really was the one who ruined her own life then you come away feeling great pain for her. In no sense will you walk away from this book unmoved. It will make you think and feel.

This is a FIVE STAR RATED BOOK!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating journey into Camille Claudle's heart & mind, February 19, 2006

By 

Sabah N. Al-Dhaher (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Camille Claudel: A Novel (Paperback)

"Couple of day ago I finished reading a wonderful book called" Camille Claudel's, A Novel" By Dr. Alma H. Bond

It's a fictional work. But based on lots of historical facts and events about the life and art of one of the greatest Sculptors I have ever read or known about, male or female.

Dr, Bond, "the Author, did an increasable job by diving so deep into Camille' inner heart and mind, and she took us with her in this incredible journey, beautiful and painful at the same time.

She was so successful in portraying Camille not just as a female artist who was treated so unjustly by the art world at the time and still,to this day.

But also portraying the art process that Camille went thru in creating her master pieces. I Thought that Dr. Bond got to be a sculptor herself. I mean the ability to go to that depth into the processes of creating sculpture was so real, and I feel it most of the time, when I create my work.

Although, I know that the creative process it mostly the same, in Art, Literature, Music, and any other creativity. But still I was an awe of her ability to write about it in so much depth.

I know about Camille's live and her work which I always admired and inspired by, but Dr Bond's book showed me the many other aspect and depth of her as a female and human being. Her brilliance as a psychologist showed so greatly in this book And the journey in to Camille's mind and heart was absolutely, fascinating.

It is a book that I'll most defiantly reread again, and again and recommend to fellow artists and creative people, especially the female ones, since I'm quite sure that they would find it to be as true and authentic as I found it, even though I'm a male. Bravo Dr Bond"