Wonderful, wonderful book - it stands on its own as an enjoyable read about a mesmerizing woman (the author Francoise Gilot) and provides great insight into the phenomenon and genius of Pablo Picasso. The "total recall" in this book is truly amazing -- I found myself wondering through the first half of the book how could anyone remember in such detail situations, phrases, words from more than 20 years ago. But luckily for all of us Gilot does remember and, in addition, she's got a clear talent for writing, interesting personality, deep understanding and love for Picasso, individuality, strength and grace. The insights into Picasso's life and work together with Gilot's personality are a superb material for a great biographical and art book. The result is amazing. I found the description of Paris in the background an added bonus. I wish there were more photos in the book. If you feel the same, go to the very personal Picasso museum in Paris, or/and watch the movie Life with Picasso (with Anthony Hopkins).

I'm a huge fan of biographies and art. Given this book as a present from a friend, I LOVED it. It makes one wonder - how do biographers DARE write about people they never knew?! This is such an intimate portrait of a man - by a woman with an insight into what made him tick and an appreciation of his talents both artistic and human. Although Picasso is portrayed as an egomaniac, abusive and unapproachable - which no doubt was a part of him - the general public tends to overlook the intricacy of his personality and the reasons behind his behavior. Francois Gilot gave such a beautiful portrait of their relationship - and although it may just be the romantic side of me - I believe their love was true and she understood him and related on a somewhat more equal plane than any of his other lovers. Read the book - it's not the average Picasso's a jerk book.

Gilot's representation of her time with Picasso is obviously the product of in depth journals. The potrayal of his monologues and mannerisms are detailed to a very fine degree. Overlooked, by the majority of reviewers of this work, is her painstaking detail into his artistic process. The level of detail she provides regarding the techniques Picasso used eclipses any other Picasso biography. Gilot documented his work with oils, sculpture, etching and many other mediums. Always the focus of reviews are Picasso as the great abuser, the great manipulator. Focus always seems to placed on the physcological aspects of his art, his life and their relationship. Seldom is the emphasis placed on the technical nature of this work. It is a large portion on this book. It is what really makes it worth the read...