Paris in Ruins

Love, War, and the Birth of Impressionism

By: Sebastian Smee

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

From the summer of 1870 to the spring of 1871, famously dubbed the "Terrible Year" by Victor Hugo, Paris and its people were besieged, starved, and forced into surrender by Germans-then imperiled again as radical republicans established a breakaway Commune, ultimately crushed by the French Army after bloody street battles and the burning of central Paris.

In stirring and exceptionally vivid prose, Sebastian Smee tells the story of those dramatic days through the eyes of great figures of Impressionism. Édouard Manet, Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas were trapped in Paris during the siege and deeply enmeshed in its politics. Others, including Pierre-August Renoir, joined regiments outside of the capital, while Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro fled the country just in time. In the aftermath, these artists developed a newfound sense of the fragility of life. That feeling for transience-reflected in Impressionism's emphasis on fugitive light, shifting seasons, glimpsed street scenes, and the impermanence of all things-became the movement's great contribution to the history of art.

Incisive and absorbing, Paris in Ruins captures the shifting passions and politics of the art world, revealing how the siege and the chaos of the Commune had a profound impact on modern art, and how artistic genius can emerge from darkness and catastrophe.

©2024 Sebastian Smee (P)2024 Tantor

The author’s crisp prose and the fluidity of the narrative

A flawless and captivating account of the cultural, artistic and political background which brought about impressionism

Instructs & delights

I’m a huge reader, but not especially either an art or history buff. Paris in Ruins inspires me to read more of both.

a fascinating historical, political, cultural, and artistic nexus in time

Smee puts you in the moment,.. in the hearts and minds of these artists, politicians, leaders and friends. What a wonderful way to to go back 150 years for a history lesson through the eyes of some of the world's greatest artists. Bravo!

The perspective of Berthe Morisot

I enjoyed learning about the allegiances of the impressionist painters with the Republicans and also learning more about that period of Parisian history.

Outstanding combination of History, impressionism, and romance

I really had no idea what I was getting into when the title and summary grabbed my attention… but the book certainly exceeded my expectations. I knew a little about the Franco Prussian war… Except that France lost… and even less about the social and artistic repercussions. Not anymore. Can't say it is a a scintillating page turner but exceedingly informative, very interesting and quite an education.

Great story, well told. Completely factual? Maybe.

I’m an artist and I listened to Paris in Ruins while I worked in the studio. Well written, well performed, perfect studio listening. And certainly an interesting and relevant period in French history - the roles artists took are central to the book. It does often veer into docu-drama, recreating conversations and interior thoughts based on correspondence and accounts from the period, placing the reader / listener in the room or battlefield. But of course the person reporting wasn’t necessarily in the room or at the battle. This was mildly distracting but not enough so to kill the considerable entertainment and informational value of the book.

Engaging but overwhelming…

This book is very thorough; perhaps too thorough. The author obviously loves his subject and just can’t stop himself. Art, artisits’ personalities, their social circles, politics, history, and military successes and failures all come together in detail. But in covering all of these areas, it overwhelms. There is a lot of great information here, but to maximize it will require more than 1 read or 1 listen.

Stunningly great narrator!

This is the story of the beginnings of French Impressionism set against the siege of Paris in 1870. It showcases the painters Manet and Morisot. I learned so much, and am very enriched by the author’s approach and research. I thoroughly enjoyed the excellent French pronounciations of the narrator- so, so good!

Amazing Background on the Impressionistsk

I was totally unaware of this turbulent period in French history or its effects on the young impressionists. What I found most interesting, was the painters themselves, their strong belief in themselves and their work despite being repeatedly rejected by the establishment. I was fascinated by their friendships (to the point of painting each other into their canvases) and how they copied each other - not as an apprentice would do in his master’s studio, but lifting subjects and motifs from each other’s works and putting their own spin on it. Julian Elfer is an animated reader, but it felt to me like he was racing through the text. There was so much going on that I think it would be easier to process and savor many parts of the book if read in print.