Overview

It was the end of WWI when Oscar, an American soldier in a French Army hospital, learned of his mother's death. With no reason to return home, Oscar decides to remain in France and sets out to find his father, an impressionist painter whose identity he never knew. Through a twist of fate, Oscar is offered a job working in Monet's world-famous garden at Giverny. Hopeful the most renowned Impressionist can help him find his father, Oscar searches for clues as Monet, tired and disheartened by his deteriorating eyesight, introduces him to his previous painting venues and Impressionist friends. Thus begins an enthralling and beautiful story filled with art, love, passion, self-discovery, and a reconciliation with the past. Set against the backdrop of Monet's famous garden, this book offers a new, historically accurate depiction of Monet told through the eyes of his fictional son.

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Reviews

"Byrd's knowledge of Monet's work, and the artistic milieu from which it came, is impressively rigorous. As a result, ... art lovers are likely to enjoy its peak into a great painter's mind... A thoughtful depiction of a monumental artist... - Kirkus Reviews Under Byrd's pen, the people, personalities, and possibilities of France's Impressionist art community come to life, as does Oscar's newfound goal to search for a father he never knew... Monet & Oscar is an evocative read that is emotionally compelling as Oscar learns new truths about his heritage and the balance between love, responsibility, and loyalty. Libraries strong in novels about a search for family roots and new opportunities, or fiction about artistic community or post-World War I culture, will find Monet & Oscar a compelling story. D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Monet and Oscar is a gripping read that captures attention-and boasts an abundance of historical figures for audiences to follow. Lovers of history, art, and the history of art will devour this entertaining and informative story... Author Joe Byrd immerses readers in the art of Monet and his garden in this debut novel, probing the grand themes of love, family, and ambition. - BlueInk Review ""...the most enjoyable novel that I have read this year."" - Goodreads Librarian ""He drops you without effort into that time, that place."" - Bookbub Review Monet and Oscar is a gripping read that captures attention-and boasts an abundance of historical figures for audiences to follow. Lovers of history, art, and the history of art will devour this entertaining and informative story. - BookLife Reviews ""The talents of Joe Byrd shines through in his debut, Monet & Oscar."" - AmyBooksy Blog ""Joe Byrd's historical fiction novel, Monet & Oscar: The Essence of Light, is a passionate look at the early twentieth-century, post-World War I era. The author has taken the life of a famous Impressionist artist and woven a tale of mystery and intrigue, and, yes, romance, too, into an epic tale much like Irving Stone's novels about Vincent Van Gogh and Michelangelo."" - Reader's Favorite ""A young man on a personal quest and an aged artist on a journey of reminiscence - this book is a homage to Monet's illustrious life."" - Reedsy Discover"

Author Information

Joe Byrd's BS in Journalism and MA in Communications degrees inspired him to become a pioneer in electronic publishing. As a McGraw-Hill editor, he developed one of the first computer publishing systems. In the rapidly developing PC software industry, he co-authored one of his two books using PC desktop publishing software, the first for a major publishing house. He developed the first technical support website in the software industry. He published magazines, wrote research reports, and produced conferences in the US and Europe for the digital photography industry in his fifty-year career. He launched one of the first digital photography dot-com companies. This is his first novel.

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