“You’ll be drawn into this story of obsession and passion.” —Cosmopolitan
“Masterfully crafted…. Webb captures the era and characters to perfection.” —RT Book Reviews, starred review
A mesmerizing tale of art and passion in Belle Époque France.
As a woman, aspiring sculptor Camille Claudel has plenty of critics, especially her ultra-traditional mother. But when Auguste Rodin makes Camille his apprentice—and his muse—their passion inspires groundbreaking works. Yet, Camille’s success is overshadowed by her lover’s rising star, and her obsessions cross the line into madness.
Rodin’s Lover brings to life the volatile love affair between one of the era’s greatest artists and a woman entwined in a tragic dilemma she cannot escape.
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*** NATIONAL PRAISE ***
“Masterfully crafted…in elegant prose, [Webb] relates the fascinating and tragic story of lesser-known artist Camille Claudel. In an era when female artists were overlooked, Camille fought to be recognized. As the story of her relationship with her mentor and lover, Auguste Rodin, unfolds, readers are treated to a larger-than-life love story full of passion and tragedy. Webb captures the era and characters to perfection.”-– RT Book Reviews, starred review
“Heather Webb’s emotionally charged novel and rich language mirror Camille Claudel’s talent as a sculptor.” –New York Journal of Books
“Webb’s novel gives a fascinating insight into the power of art and love set against the colorful backdrop of the Parisian art world.” –France Magazine
“Webb’s subject is fascinating… readers will find themselves hunting up encyclopedias and visiting museums to learn more about Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin…An entertaining guide that will take readers in and out of the salons and studios of 19th-century Paris and introduce them to one of history’s most tragic and unsung rebels.”–Kirkus Reviews
“Although several books, and one outstanding movie, about 19th century sculptress Camille Claudel have been created, none has focused sobrilliantly on her inner life and the desperate passion she felt for both her art and her teacher, Auguste Rodin, as Heather Webb…this well-researched book takes you on an emotionally gripping and passionate ride that hardly lets up for a minute.” —Dish Magazine
“Readers are sure to find Rodin’s Lover a riveting examination of all-consuming love and unfettered talent.”–San Francisco Book Review
“Webb’s tale of the passionate, tormented love between Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin is truly transportive. From the beginning, Webb’s evocative settings immerse the reader in the simultaneous beauty and filth of Belle-Époque Paris, and our hearts are set to hinge on each blunder and triumph of Camille’s quest to contribute something of beauty. Webb portrays the relationship between the torn, tender Auguste and the raving, beautiful Camille realistically and vividly. So much so that, by the end, the reader is shaken, feeling the echoes of the emotional earthquake caused by two people whose passion for art and each other is so brutally intense that they cannot be joined without scars or separated without fracture.” –Washington Independent Review of Books
“You can feel the heat and passion practically steaming off of the pages. Rodin’s Lover is a great historical fiction novel that blends art, romance, tragedy, and of course history. You may want to get into art after reading this!”–Pittsburg Examiner
“Webb hones in on the very depths of their [Claudel & Rodin’s] spirits. She then exposes them on the page with elegant prose that’s redolent, often frighteningly vivid and therefore ultimately fascinating…Webb has outdone herself here by bringing us a masterful piece of fiction based on a lesser-known historical figure whose genius should never have been ignored.”–Times of Israel
“Rodin’s Lover is a textured historical novel that captures the indomitable spirit of artist Camille Claudel, a woman whose mighty talent was nearly eclipsed by her potent love for fellow artist Auguste Rodin. Can two passionate, creative talents thrive together or will one flame inevitably consume the other? Webb gracefully explores this ignitable relationship while illuminating Claudel’s untold heartbreak and evocative artwork. A story of human emotion, once raw and malleable, now preserved to lasting stone.” ~ Sarah McCoy, New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of The Baker’s Daughter
“Rodin’s Lover is the story of Camille Claudel–one of history’s boldest and most brilliant artists. Forced to choose between a torturous love affair and the art that consumed her, Claudel is an audacious and authentic character who deserves to be remembered. RODIN’S LOVER is epic and unflinching–a book you won’t soon forget.” —Deanna Raybourn, NYT bestselling author and Rita Winner of City of Jasmine 
“Rodin’s Lover is an evocative portrait of the talented and explosive Camille Claudel who struggled between passion as the lover of Rodin and recognition as an innovative sculptor in her own right. From smoky cafés to clay-streaked ateliers, Heather Webb has created a vivid picture of Belle Époque Paris.” —Jessica Brockmole, author of Letters from Skye
“Dazzling!….. In Rodin’s Lover, author Heather Webb brings to life, with vivid detail, the story of brilliant and tormented sculptress Camille Claudel and the epic love affair with the legendary sculptor who worshiped her. Deeply moving and meticulously researched, this book will capture your heart, then hold it tightly long after the final page.” —Anne Girard, author of Madame Picasso
“A rich, sensuous novel…[was] written with great empathy for the very human Rodin and his lover, this novel of the visceral world of the 19th century Paris ateliers, of clay-stained dresses and fingernails, lithe models who vow to remain and then go, family love which stays through all difficulties and talent which endures, comes vividly to life.” –-Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet
“Rodin’s Lover is a taut and engrossing look at sexism in the arts through the eyes of a lesser known figure, Camille Claudel, inspiring the reader to examine what’s changed and what hasn’t.” —Julie Kibler, bestselling author of Calling Me Home