Review of Love And Murder
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Stephanie Runyon
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Review of Love And Murder
[Following is a volunteer review of "Love And Murder" by Dr. Irv Arenberg.]
Why would a person who is calm, creative, in love, and in the most productive phase of his life commit suicide? Dr. Irv Arenberg’s Love And Murder is about the last days of Vincent van Gogh. One hundred and thirty years after his death, Arenberg has devoted his work to proving that Vincent van Gogh did not commit suicide. He offers several pieces of information about the artist’s personality and an overview of his life prior to his move to Auvers. The focus of the book is on the seventy days leading up to the day Vincent van Gogh died on July 29th, 1890.
On May 20th, 1890, Vincent arrived in Auvers, where he was scheduled to meet with Dr. Gachet, who was tasked with closely monitoring his well-being. Dr. Gachet welcomed Vincent into his home, where he met Marguerite and Paul Junior. The attraction between Vincent and Marguerite was immediate; however, Paul Junior and the housekeeper, Madame Chevalier, noticed their behavior. Vincent and Marguerite engaged in an illicit affair that Dr. Gachet forbade. On July 27th, 1890, Vincent van Gogh entered the inn he was living in after dinner. He had an abdominal wound but could go up a set of seventeen stairs to his bed. On July 29th, 1890, Vincent van Gogh died in his brother’s arms.
Dr. Gachet stated that Vincent died of suicide. From describing the abdominal wound, it was the size of a pea and bore no markings of a bullet wound. Allegedly, the bullet lodged close to his spine. There was no evidence, no witnesses, and no crime scene. Dr. Gachet didn’t notify Theo until late July 28th. According to Adeline Ravoux, Dr. Gachet didn’t provide any medical care for Vincent. The narrative of a suicide was further spread by Emile Bernard. Marguerite spent the rest of her life alone, as a spinster, in her father’s home. Every day, she would take yellow flowers to Vincent’s grave.
Arenberg provides evidence that shows alternatives to the suicide theory. He gives details of the various people who could have been responsible for Vincent’s death. Conflicting evidence and stories are noted, especially when Paul Junior paints a scenery picture that he labels “The day Vincent van Gogh died.” Despite being the second book in a trilogy, Love And Murder is easily a standalone book. Arenberg includes pictures of Vincent van Gogh’s artwork, photographs of several key people in Vincent’s life, and photographs of the forensic investigation that defeats the narrative that Vincent’s death was a suicide.
History books are accounts of facts. However, Arenberg’s presentation of Vincent van Gogh’s life offered convincing details I could reflect on. I wouldn’t change anything about this intriguing investigation into what could be a cold-case homicide. I rate Love And Murder five out of five stars.
Love And Murder will appeal to fans of art history, conspiracies, and mystery novels. I came up with my own thoughts about Vincent van Gogh’s death based directly on the evidence provided. I believe Vincent’s death was a botched assassination attempt. Dr. Gachet's refusal to provide any medical treatment for the 30 hours following Vincent’s return to the inn implicates him even if suicide was suspected. I also find that Theo’s death six months later was suspicious, especially since Dr. Gachet was also his doctor. Was Vincent van Gogh murdered?
******
Love And Murder
View: on Bookshelves
Why would a person who is calm, creative, in love, and in the most productive phase of his life commit suicide? Dr. Irv Arenberg’s Love And Murder is about the last days of Vincent van Gogh. One hundred and thirty years after his death, Arenberg has devoted his work to proving that Vincent van Gogh did not commit suicide. He offers several pieces of information about the artist’s personality and an overview of his life prior to his move to Auvers. The focus of the book is on the seventy days leading up to the day Vincent van Gogh died on July 29th, 1890.
On May 20th, 1890, Vincent arrived in Auvers, where he was scheduled to meet with Dr. Gachet, who was tasked with closely monitoring his well-being. Dr. Gachet welcomed Vincent into his home, where he met Marguerite and Paul Junior. The attraction between Vincent and Marguerite was immediate; however, Paul Junior and the housekeeper, Madame Chevalier, noticed their behavior. Vincent and Marguerite engaged in an illicit affair that Dr. Gachet forbade. On July 27th, 1890, Vincent van Gogh entered the inn he was living in after dinner. He had an abdominal wound but could go up a set of seventeen stairs to his bed. On July 29th, 1890, Vincent van Gogh died in his brother’s arms.
Dr. Gachet stated that Vincent died of suicide. From describing the abdominal wound, it was the size of a pea and bore no markings of a bullet wound. Allegedly, the bullet lodged close to his spine. There was no evidence, no witnesses, and no crime scene. Dr. Gachet didn’t notify Theo until late July 28th. According to Adeline Ravoux, Dr. Gachet didn’t provide any medical care for Vincent. The narrative of a suicide was further spread by Emile Bernard. Marguerite spent the rest of her life alone, as a spinster, in her father’s home. Every day, she would take yellow flowers to Vincent’s grave.
Arenberg provides evidence that shows alternatives to the suicide theory. He gives details of the various people who could have been responsible for Vincent’s death. Conflicting evidence and stories are noted, especially when Paul Junior paints a scenery picture that he labels “The day Vincent van Gogh died.” Despite being the second book in a trilogy, Love And Murder is easily a standalone book. Arenberg includes pictures of Vincent van Gogh’s artwork, photographs of several key people in Vincent’s life, and photographs of the forensic investigation that defeats the narrative that Vincent’s death was a suicide.
History books are accounts of facts. However, Arenberg’s presentation of Vincent van Gogh’s life offered convincing details I could reflect on. I wouldn’t change anything about this intriguing investigation into what could be a cold-case homicide. I rate Love And Murder five out of five stars.
Love And Murder will appeal to fans of art history, conspiracies, and mystery novels. I came up with my own thoughts about Vincent van Gogh’s death based directly on the evidence provided. I believe Vincent’s death was a botched assassination attempt. Dr. Gachet's refusal to provide any medical treatment for the 30 hours following Vincent’s return to the inn implicates him even if suicide was suspected. I also find that Theo’s death six months later was suspicious, especially since Dr. Gachet was also his doctor. Was Vincent van Gogh murdered?
******
Love And Murder
View: on Bookshelves
"Facts don't care about feelings." Ben Shapiro
"If you aren't paranoid, then it's already too late." Marilyn Manson
"If you aren't paranoid, then it's already too late." Marilyn Manson
Latest Review: Do You Hear What I Hear? by Stephen W. Scott
