'A literary masterpiece that would be worth reading even if his paintings were rubbish…. an engrossing encounter with the creativity of Vincent’s life of solitude. As you read, look at his paintings online and see suffering turned into beauty' - Jonathan Jones, Guardian
'Open any letter here and it compels — such is the force, honesty and lucidity of van Gogh’s literary expressiveness, echoing his qualities as a painter ... this is a perfect condensed version of the six-volume complete correspondence; among its miracles is optimism almost to the end' - Financial Times
'If you haven’t yet discovered the impassioned power of [Van Gogh's] interior monologues, this volume of his letters [...] will make a nicely presented and eminently manageable addition to your shelves' - Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times
'A judicious selection from the magnificent six-volume Complete Letters of 2009 … Impassioned, often heartbreaking, furious, funny and tender, these letters form a unique testament from a pivotal figure in 19th-century art' - John Banville, The Irish Independent