I love impressionism and since I recently read a fictionalized book about Cezanne, this sounds very interesting.
My recent post The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

yep, the main character of Claude is based on an amalgamation of Manet and Cezanne.
My recent post Milton in May: A Paradise Lost Read-Along

I love my library!
My recent post Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki

I have heard this is such a great book!

I think you're right on in wondering about the necessity of harassing the family to get the story. IT does sound like it was harassment!
My recent post Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki

Although I wasn't crazy about Zola's realistic look at the world, I found the discussion of art in THE MASTERPIECE to be seriously interesting. Sounds like you'd love that one too since it's all about the art. I love the details you share here about The Gaze and Manet's painting based on Zola's novel. So cool!
My recent post Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki

For me, challenges are for challenging ourselves to read SOMETHING out of the ordinary. Going beyond. Reading blogs adds lots to my TBR and I think for me, I've gotten burnout from trying to force myself into a TBR list for a certain week. Blogging is taking more time the more bloggers we read.

I have hosted challenges. For me, it's about gathering lists, not going back and linking to a challenge page. For me, I couldn't care less about "giveaways". If I want to join a challenge, I will. But it's for me to read more widely, not to get something physical out of it.

Anyway, life is busy for me, that's why I'm trying to stay away from so many challenges!
My recent post The Masterpiece [L’Oeuvre] by Emile Zola

It's kind of sad when a novel you want to like has a character we don't like....boo hoo.
My recent post The Masterpiece [L’Oeuvre] by Emile Zola

These characters sound so well created in this one!
My recent post The Masterpiece [L’Oeuvre] by Emile Zola

So funny! My dad was my tooth fairy. He always included a note from Thaddeus T. Firefly thanking me for taking care of my teeth and saying he uses my teeth for other little children who have lost their teeth too early, etc. I don't remember ever thinking it was anyone other than my dad, but I certainly have good memories of Thaddeus T. Firefly! And it didn't matter that he only would leave a nickle because the note was the memorable part...

It seems everyone is reviewing Agnes Grey this week. It sounds so disappointing. I'll make sure to read Tenant of Wildfell Hall first!