Book Review: One Madder Woman by Dede Crane

One Madder Woman by author Dede Crane is a fictional account of the life of Berthe Morisot, the only female member of the French Impressionists. It is a sweeping tale of devotion, passion, and of living one’s best life. 

Berthe Morisot is a daughter of the French elite; her social class frowns on women becoming artists, but paint she must. So, Morisot fights against the social mores of her time, argues against her family’s outspoken hopes for her future, and follows her heart—despite her best efforts—which clamours after the “wrong” man.

The novel unfolds through first-person narration, from the point of view of the painter. Here, Crane embodies the protagonist so completely that Morisot’s dealings with her family, her friend Edgar Degas, and the enigmatic Edouard Manet often feel entirely autobiographical. Crane brings Morisot and the other members of her circle to life in a way that challenges the reader to learn more. This air of inquiry is perhaps instigated by the inclusion of an index at the beginning of the book. A list of artwork mentioned throughout the novel invites the reader to stop (sometimes in mid-sentence) and Google the painting in question. The reader thus becomes part of the scene; as each character considers and comments on a particular work of art, so too can the reader.  

Beyond the art, One Madder Woman is an astounding historical novel. Crane expertly recreates the world of 19th century France. Class issues between bourgeoisie and proletarian French society, the fall-out from the Franco-Prussian War, the politics of the Paris Salons, and the wonderfully bawdy scene of Montmartre come alive on the pages of this novel. 

Crane is a seasoned writer and it shows; she creates worlds and characters with ease. One Madder Woman is a joy to read! It is a romance, a historical novel, and an education in art all in one! Prepare to get swept away.

One Madder Woman By Dede Crane Freehand Books, 2021, pp. 360. ISBN: 9781988298689