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itsallgoodreads's review
3.0
This is one of the oldest books on my TBR list! I do love a book about a painting, even if this one wasn’t a real painting by Vermeer. Goldfinch, The Girl with a Pearl Earring, just to name a couple that I enjoyed. While I like the stories that intertwined in the book, I was left feeling this book was unfinished.
gracefulcat's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dawnmdavison's review
I just couldn't really get into it. It was too disjointed for me. I didn't like being dropped into a new storyline so suddenly every chapter or so.
gohnar23's review
4.0
It was such a majestic book that consists of multiple stories that are all connected by one thing: A painting
jbrooks79's review
4.0
This was a sweet book - an easy read. I liked the view through time (though I felt there were some anachronisms). It was a new way to view our relationship to art.
eileeen's review
2.0
I usually like this type of story that goes back and gives you glimpses of history and real people, but I didn't love this. The stories were too short, so by the time you figured out who the people were and what they were doing, it was almost over, so it was difficult to care about them.
juice916's review
2.0
This book is billed as a novel, but it is really a collection of short stories that all feature a particular work of art. The author sets them in reverse chronological order so that you follow the painting back in time. I eventually gave up on finishing this as I realized that I'm never going to find out what happens to any of the characters beyond their tiny short story snippet. Which is too bad, because I thought several of the characters were interesting.
piemaid's review
4.0
i rarely read bestsellers when they are bestsellers. i cannot abide all that hype. the hype ruined "the red tent" for me. it's been a few years for this one and i finally allowed myself to read it. i fell in love with Susan Vreeland's latest, "Clara and Mr. Tiffany", so it only made sense to go back to the beginning of her catalogue. i didn't realize this book was a series of linked short stories; though i loved "Welcome to the Goon Squad", it is not my favorite genre. at least, i need to be in the right mood to read that sort of structure. so i enjoyed this, mostly the second half. the stories set in Vermeer's time period were the most compelling to me, and i greatly appreciate how much research i know the author puts in to each book. the period details of the clothing and food are spot on. looking forward to the next book on artemesia gentileschi...
charleneignites's review
4.0
This is a book that requires focus and attention. It's not a "page turner" or an audiobook that can be played while doing other things. It's a reverse timeline of moments and characters that are best appreciated in the details. It took me a bit to figure this out, so I ended up having to go back and re-listen to pieces. About three quarters in, I had this pegged as a "nice" book; maybe three stars. However, my appreciation grew as I paid closer attention and soaked in the final chapters. This is one you must listen to through the end, then perhaps listen to the last two chapters again.
Other reviewers stated that art lovers will appreciate this book more than others. Personally, I like art, and love the idea of loving it. But really, I don't know anything. Still, I likes this quite a lot more than I thought I would. It piqued my interest.
Other reviewers stated that art lovers will appreciate this book more than others. Personally, I like art, and love the idea of loving it. But really, I don't know anything. Still, I likes this quite a lot more than I thought I would. It piqued my interest.