This is a fictional treatment of Virginie Amelie Avegno Gautreau, the “Madame X” of John Singer Sargent’s famous portrait. It was published in 2003, just one year too soon to benefit from Strapless, the first book length biography of Madame Gautreau. The story begins on the family's plantation in Louisiana. Gioia Diliberto created a thrilling escape scene (the Union Army threatens their estate) worthy of Hollywood movie. In reality, their flight was probably quite dull. In Paris they did not settle into flea-bag apartment; they went to a property they owned, but Diliberto’s imagination is much more fun.Where Diliberto may be spot on is in grafting a personality on to the portrait. Written in the first person, Gautreau shows herself to be adventuresome and daring particularly when it comes to making herself the center of attention. She is obsessed with her looks and who notices them. Her social climbing mother tries to get invites to parties with royalty (and former royalty – this is belle epoch Paris) and marry her daughter “up”. Diliberto shows how these were perfect conditions for someone to agree to this project, which was daring for its day (think: Janet Jackson, wardrobe malfunction).The author’s ideas in creating Gautreau’s life are excellent, but the text seems too detached to be the voice of her subject. For instance, descriptions of Gautreau’s mother’s reception and the brief text of the Salon unveiling are well thought out events as are how Gautreau’s marriage was sprung on her and how the “folk” expressed pride in their mistress’s picture. These are excellent vignettes for conveying what may have happened but the narrator does not sound like the person who lived it. Similarly the situations depicting her conflicts with the mother, how her teenage heart was broken, the realities of a “marriage blanc” an affair with a politician, the boredom of sitting for a portrait and the issues that arise when someone takes control of your image is are excellent creations. They are told like a reporter and not like a survivor. Purists will not like this book because it strays from the facts. I appreciated the creativity of the author and believe authors of historical fiction should have this sort of poetic license as long as they separate fact from fiction in the preface or the notes as Diliberto has done.
I Am Madame X by Gioia Diliberto revolves around the life of Virginie Gautreau, the woman who posed for John Singer Sargent’s infamous painting, Madame X. To the current-day eye the portrait is of an elegant woman wearing a beautiful, sleek black dress. The waist is small and defined. The deep V-neckline, almost modest for today, revealed a lot of skin in the 1800s. But more shockingly was the fact that one strap was dangling off her shoulder in a come-hither attitude. Gasp. That “slutty” picture ended up causing a lot of strife. Later, a repentant Singer Sargent moved away from his scandal in Paris and the strap was repainted more respectably on her shoulder.This novel, however, doesn’t focus on that painting; it is centered on the life of the woman in the painting. Virginie Gautreau moved from a Louisiana plantation with her mother and sister to Paris in the 1800s. While the Civil War raged at home, Virginie took on the life of a Parisian socialite. She was a desperate housewife of her day with style and class demanded of a stricter set of social boundaries. She did not always adhere to those restrictions, though, and did not escape gossip anymore than a modern-day party girl. I really liked this book. I loved strolling with Virginie in Paris during the time of the Belle Epoque. I was lured by the elegance and grandness of the times. Mostly I was interested in the life Virginie carved out for herself. One day I hope to make a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the portrait. And when I do, I will smile, because I feel I know this woman. I know her secrets, her ambitions, and struggles. This isn’t just another beautiful painting; it’s Virginie. Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
What do You think about I Am Madame X (2004)?
This book was a total two-face for me! I was in LOVE with it up until the actual painting was unveiled and the story hit a wall and sort of shattered.That said, I am really impressed the author was able to put this book together from so little historical documentation, and her style made the book immensely readable. I'll definitely pick up her other stuff.It was interesting to read about the hot and cold inclusion of Americans into Parisian society during Napoleon's time and after. For some reas
—Natasha
I continue to explore one of my favorite cities, Paris, through fiction. I broke one of my cardinal rules and selected a fictionalized biography. What a delight to dive into era with a main character, Virginie, who was larger than life with a reputation to match Virginie was a vain glorious woman who was born prior to the Civil War and grew up on a plantation in Louisiana. She moved to Paris as a teen and the city became the playground for her glamorous persona and sexual conquests. Virginie was a self absorbed woman who was known in Paris for her beauty, chestnut hair and serial lovers . Her aunt was a painter in Paris and I enjoyed the segues into the changing art morays in the late 1800s. Virginie increased her notoriety when William Singer Sargent portrait in a scandalous, revealing gown. What made the book work well for me were the vivid descriptions and comprehensive historical context. Virginie was all about appearances and the book was similar, focusing on the surface and not overly delving into Virginie's psyche. The era came alive and the story was engrossing The narrator was superb; she had the perfect voice, tone and pacing for the book. I strongly recommend listening to this book rather than reading it.
—Lorraine
Though I like the concept of this novel which is memoir supposedly written by Virginia Gautreau, the "Madame X" painted by the artist John Singer Sargent in Paris and shown at the salon in 1884. Sketching the various locations and styles of that era provides the backdrop of the characters and events. This is the first novel by a writer of non-fiction biographies. I find the language problematic. None of the characters come to life through their phrasing or dialects. The book ranges from Creoles in Louisiana, to New England Yankees and Belle Époque Parisians yet no effort was made to have the characters speak in anything but modern colloquial American expressions. Their conversations as written were anachronisms and felt jarring to the flow of the otherwise descriptive settings in which they were placed. I wanted to like this book but because of the stilted language of the characters I was glad to close the cover.
—Mary Ahern
