My Life (Peter Owen Modern Classics) [Paperback]

Marc Chagall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0720611865 | ISBN-13: 978-0720611861

Completed by Marc Chagall (1887-1985) in 1922, this lyrical, evocative, and unique book is a key work to understanding the life and art of this creative genius who has come to be known as the Father of Surrealism."" His deep roots in Jewish tradition-religious and secular-are reflected in these recollections of his poverty-stricken youth in White Russia, to his involvement in the Paris art world prior to World War I, and back again to Russia until his decision in 1923 to finally return to Paris. ""Belongs unmistakably to the world of his paintings...it flickers with sharp responses and vivid phrases.""-New Statesman

Editorial Reviews

Review

50 of the artist's whimsical illustrations are included in a memoir which provides a lively account of the artist's early life and artistic development. Enjoy a fine account which is fun to read even for total newcomers to Chagall's work. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Peter Owen Ltd (September 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0720611865
• ISBN-13: 978-0720611861
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,675,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Surrealism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evocative Word-Pictures, December 18, 2002

By 

Carole L. Glickfeld "lover of literature" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Marc Chagall: My Life (Paperback)

MY LIFE is unlike any other autobiography I've read. Who would have thought of Chagall as a poet? As a master of word pictures? There is not a dry, boring sentence in the entire book. Instead, Chagall paints verbal pictures of his youth, his family, his struggles to become an artist. It's must reading for anyone who aspires to remain an artist (painter, writer, dancer . . .). Although the book reads very, very quickly, the poignant feelings it evokes cannot end so quickly. I am haunted by Chagall's painful youth-the poverty, the discouragement he received from many quarters. And yet the autobiography is inspirational, because as a writer, I know that one cannot let go of an unshakable faith in one's calling.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lyric story of the artist's youth, January 9, 2005

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Marc Chagall: My Life (Paperback)

This small autobiography is a poetic inspiring work. It tells of Chagall's childhood in Vitebsk and his first youthful efforts as an artist. And it also contains within it the great love story of Chagall's life with his first wife Bella. Chagall writes with intensity and strength much the way he paints. The difficulty of his early years is somehow transcended by his devotion to his artistic vocation. This is a recommended work for all those who care about the relation of the artist to his life, and of the creator of great beauty to his artistic task.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marc Chagall, the poetry of reality., May 12, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marc Chagall: My Life (Paperback)

This book is an autobiography by Marc Chagall himself. Its a wonderful exploration of Chagall's jewish-russian memories of his beloved village Vitebsk and of his first encounters with the avant-garde in the Paris of the early 20th century. Its a good example of Chagall's sensitivity and of his spirituality. It should be a highly readable book for it is full of poetry, phantasy and hope. At the same time, the reader will be able to meet one the 20th century leading colorists.