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fixesofia's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Grief
sareidle's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
This was the first book I read after returning home from the Netherlands. The narrative was propulsive and takes the reader to different neighborhoods of Delft, which I enjoyed!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
helen's review against another edition
3.0
I was fascinated by 17th century painting processes, and I liked comparing the descriptions of Vermeer's in-progress paintings with the finished products, but the rest of the story left me cold.
The author says in her note that she wrote the book the way Vermeer paints - spare, focussed, stripped down to the essentials. I appreciated that it was relatively short, but the lack of any lingering on emotion or atmosphere meant that I wasn't as engaged and invested in Griet's story as I wanted to be.
On the plus side, I liked that Vermeer himself remained mysterious and was seen from Griet's limited point of view. I didn't want to be in the head of a 30-something man who is obsessed with his 17 year old employee.
Content notes: death of sibling from plague, religious prejudice, sexual harassment and assault, death of child (off page), pregnancy and childbirth, on page sex</spoiler
The author says in her note that she wrote the book the way Vermeer paints - spare, focussed, stripped down to the essentials. I appreciated that it was relatively short, but the lack of any lingering on emotion or atmosphere meant that I wasn't as engaged and invested in Griet's story as I wanted to be.
On the plus side, I liked that Vermeer himself remained mysterious and was seen from Griet's limited point of view. I didn't want to be in the head of a 30-something man who is obsessed with his 17 year old employee.
Content notes:
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Pregnancy
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