Customer Reviews

The Last Decadent: A Novel Of Paris

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4 star:		(1)
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I really enjoyed being placed in turn of the century France. What except romance and frivolous personalities could come of blending this period with French Artists. Guilbert has the strong-will of a master who wants not to please the museums but himself. A selfish man with his possessions but also generous enough to give his last penny away. He teams up with Verchard, a troubled soul who doubts his own skill as a painter, but remains a steadfast confidant of Guilbert. There is love, betrayal, promiscuity and ignorant loyalty played out in this work. One will be longing to view the actual paintings and photographs of Guilbert, to stroll into the café and drink with he and his cronies. Hill is highly expressive, bringing together the sights, smells, and sounds of Paris. Mais oui, I will look for his future works.

What is the point of artistic genius, if no one other than the artist can see it? And what if the artist is not some publicity-seeker like Picasso, but instead a starving scavenger who on the one hand produces art that is revolutionary and brilliant, yet on the other would burn his work rather than sell it? The Last Decadent, by Jeffrey K. Hill, explores this and many other themes. The story of Andre Guilbert is seen through the eyes of others--a hopelessly insane painter, a cynical journalist, and the scandalous courtesan who devours men with her sexuality. Through these eyes, we see a man at once generous and narcissistic, brilliant and clumsy, a man who loves yet discards the women who are burned by the flame of his genius. Do not read this story expecting any Hollywood endings--the happiness the characters find is much like Guilbert himself: enigmatic, and tinged with sadness and tragedy. A monumental work.

I am pulled into the fascinating lives of Guilbert and Verchard. Their follies, exploits, and sexual adventures delighted me until the end. The characters are so real, I yearned with them, laughed with them , and my heart broke for them at times. Jeffrey K. Hills "The Last Decadent" is a book that befriended me and carried me on it's journey and I was begging for a sequel when I turned the last page.

Mr. Hill has penned a tremendous novel. Beautifully written. Heartbreaking at moments. Well worth the time. I'm looking forward to more.

This is a book that is hard to put down. It is a story that pulls you through to the end, making the reader feel as if you yourself are along for the ride. Truly worth the time, a very good read. I suggest you take this book with you while traveling, it's certain to help pass the time on an airplane or long car ride. A great escape. You'll love this author, too!