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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, very enjoyable but it suffered from the over hyped syndrome. I expected to be amazed, so ultimately it was disappointing. It was a very good historical fiction, but I expected more. It made me realize how little I know about Dutch history though, (and my ancestors are VERY Dutch, I mean, my grandparents still spoke Dutch occasionally, so I’m a little ashamed) so it has made me want to learn more!
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Didn't finish, lost interest in the characters and the plot was weirdly paced.
I was hoping for high stakes scandal in modern day as well as lush historical about the painter’s life. But instead all I read was an unemotive art historian (bland as bland can be), a depressed painter, and a creepy-ass piss-poor excuse of a man seeking “revenge.”
Perhaps this was just too literary for me to appreciate it properly. But either way, Marty de Groot is the perfect example of the kind of human being I loathe to read or encounter. *shudders*
Perhaps this was just too literary for me to appreciate it properly. But either way, Marty de Groot is the perfect example of the kind of human being I loathe to read or encounter. *shudders*
Cannot finish this. Tried and tried and tried but it is like watching paint dry.
I really disliked how the author portrayed women in this novel. His wife is somehow oblivious to him having an affair. Ellie was somehow in love with a man who lied to her about everything, then forgives him in the end. Waitresses too tempting that men have to hold back from them despite being married. I disliked Marty/Jake a lot in this story, and it made it hard to enjoy any of the other points of view. I can't imagine a world where women act like Rachel and Ellie. The whole thing felt really unrealistic.
Whenever I receive an ARC to review, I always try to go more slowly with it and pace myself out in a way I don't seem to know how to do with other books. I want to chew on it slowly and decide all the different flavor combinations to see exactly what it is that I like or dislike about this concoction.
And I'm very glad that I approached this novel in that manner. This book is like taking a slow, introspective walk at sunset. Or watching the rain fall. Or drinking something warm slowly and letting it radiate throughout you. This is a novel to make you pause. To ponder in quiet reflection.
Immediately this book reminded me of Tracy Chevalier. I read most of her books as a teen, and was enchanted by the way she could seamlessly weave historical fiction with gripping artistic description. Same can be said for this novel. Unlike Chevalier though, Smith created his own artists and paintings from his own imagination. His description of both felt SO REAL that I found myself google searching for both, even though he had noted at the beginning of the book that this was a created artist. That is truly a remarkable talent.
And I'm very glad that I approached this novel in that manner. This book is like taking a slow, introspective walk at sunset. Or watching the rain fall. Or drinking something warm slowly and letting it radiate throughout you. This is a novel to make you pause. To ponder in quiet reflection.
Immediately this book reminded me of Tracy Chevalier. I read most of her books as a teen, and was enchanted by the way she could seamlessly weave historical fiction with gripping artistic description. Same can be said for this novel. Unlike Chevalier though, Smith created his own artists and paintings from his own imagination. His description of both felt SO REAL that I found myself google searching for both, even though he had noted at the beginning of the book that this was a created artist. That is truly a remarkable talent.
3.5 stars! Enjoyed this historical fiction that fills in the gaps of a little known female artist. There are three narrators and time lines that weave together with what felt like a very satisfying ending. A slow burn and beautifully written.
Do not get the audio book version of this. It is a good story, but the reading is truly awful. It was almost more than I could take. It is a testament to the story that I kept on with it.