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mario4's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
adyjimdavmx's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
jager123's review against another edition
3.0
Wish it was half the length. I resorted to reading it backwards to make it interesting
annebrooke's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts very well indeed, but sadly loses momentum from about one third of the way through. Helena's life as a maid and her encounters with Descartes at the beginning are excellent, but once she gets pregnant, the pace really slows down and the plot loses traction. In the last two thirds of the novel, there is therefore a lot of repetition and the story gets very dull, no matter how well written.
I would have preferred less focus on the end of the affair and more focus on the interesting issues, such as Helena's eventual marriage and the compromises she has to make, which is very much glossed over here. Descartes also comes over as very dull and manipulative, so I have no idea what she saw in him!
So, all in all, a lot of initial promise which remains unfulfilled.
I would have preferred less focus on the end of the affair and more focus on the interesting issues, such as Helena's eventual marriage and the compromises she has to make, which is very much glossed over here. Descartes also comes over as very dull and manipulative, so I have no idea what she saw in him!
So, all in all, a lot of initial promise which remains unfulfilled.
avigail's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Visit the Netherlands as you have never seen it before! Meet Descartes and the woman who changed his life Come to Amsterdam with Guinevere Glasfurd
This novel is by far one of the most beautifully written, evocative and stunning I’ve ever read. Oh to see such a world through the eyes of Helena was a magical and fascinating journey. I felt as if the writer picked me up and put me in the costumes, the rooms of the day and I too left my slippers in the room when Helena did as she had to leave quickly.
The attention to detail is quite amazing – Helena falls asleep with her head in the flour on the table, the colour of the tea is like that of an old shoe, and words seem to be made of prickles. This is to read, touch, feel and imagine the world of 1600s Amsterdam and I was captivated as like a film, each scene filtered past my eyes. The way with words is to weave mystery, surprise, wonder and awe into each and every page.
Descartes might put some off reading this novel – I knew very little about him apart from what I covered in French at university but I’d never really thought about him as a man – rather just a figure and historical character – I feel as if I’ve met him now and got to really see inside his mind. Helena being a real person was fascinating and to see the world through her eyes was a treat. I felt as immersed in a character’s mind, thoughts and inner feeling than ever before.
This is a novel to savour – there are so many sentences, images, thoughts which need to be said aloud and savoured. The references to lines I particularly loved – lines which were not to be crossed, lines as boundaries, or the curve of a pregnant stomach. Oh and the quills – the exquisite way of how they’re prepared, cared for, the art of writing and how Helena banished from this world resorts to using beetroot on her skin…
I loved every layer, every page of this novel. It’s like a warm bath filled with the most delicious of aromas and relaxing oils. Lie back and allow it to wash over you. This is not a read to be rushed. Hypnotic and like the sun dancing across a stained glass window, the true beauty of the many colours lingers long after you’ve read the last page.
This novel is by far one of the most beautifully written, evocative and stunning I’ve ever read. Oh to see such a world through the eyes of Helena was a magical and fascinating journey. I felt as if the writer picked me up and put me in the costumes, the rooms of the day and I too left my slippers in the room when Helena did as she had to leave quickly.
The attention to detail is quite amazing – Helena falls asleep with her head in the flour on the table, the colour of the tea is like that of an old shoe, and words seem to be made of prickles. This is to read, touch, feel and imagine the world of 1600s Amsterdam and I was captivated as like a film, each scene filtered past my eyes. The way with words is to weave mystery, surprise, wonder and awe into each and every page.
Descartes might put some off reading this novel – I knew very little about him apart from what I covered in French at university but I’d never really thought about him as a man – rather just a figure and historical character – I feel as if I’ve met him now and got to really see inside his mind. Helena being a real person was fascinating and to see the world through her eyes was a treat. I felt as immersed in a character’s mind, thoughts and inner feeling than ever before.
This is a novel to savour – there are so many sentences, images, thoughts which need to be said aloud and savoured. The references to lines I particularly loved – lines which were not to be crossed, lines as boundaries, or the curve of a pregnant stomach. Oh and the quills – the exquisite way of how they’re prepared, cared for, the art of writing and how Helena banished from this world resorts to using beetroot on her skin…
I loved every layer, every page of this novel. It’s like a warm bath filled with the most delicious of aromas and relaxing oils. Lie back and allow it to wash over you. This is not a read to be rushed. Hypnotic and like the sun dancing across a stained glass window, the true beauty of the many colours lingers long after you’ve read the last page.
francesmthompson's review against another edition
3.0
A gently told tale that is based on a helluva lotta research but this didn't totally overwhelm the book. I found it lacking in pace sometimes and perhaps it was a bit too gently told, and the main character felt a bit flat at times, but I kept going and I certainly found the ending very moving. Great to read if you live in Amsterdam or the Netherlands too!
liagatha's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Child death, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
marjma2014's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars. I enjoyed reading this novel but somehow it didn't reach my favourites list which surprised and disappointed me a bit. The premise sounded so interesting and it was, but yet I felt a little removed from the characters in the story rather than immersed in it. But, on the positive side there is much to recommend this novel. It is interesting how the author focuses on Descartes's lover, a maid, and her child,) rather than Descartes himself. One that philosophy students and historians will no doubt find interesting. It brings to the forefront many questions about the character of Descarte, his lover and their love child. So, in this respect it thoroughly deserves its nomination as a Costa First Novel Award. I loved the first half of the book. It really worked for me, perhaps because the maid in question loves to write, and I do too!
annrawson's review against another edition
5.0
Helena de Jans was a maid for an English bookseller in Amsterdam, where René Descartes lodged in 1634. A year later, she gave birth to his daughter, Francine.
From the sparse historical details available, Guin has imagined how this relationship might have developed. How did Helena learn to read and write? What would her life have been like?
This is a very moving novel, and I think it's an important one too. There are so many women in our history who are invisible, whose everyday lives we know so little about. Guin's imagination has brought one of them to life.
Full disclosure : I've known Guin for some time and have no hesitation in recommending this book. It's one of those novels which will stay with me, and I know I will read it again.
From the sparse historical details available, Guin has imagined how this relationship might have developed. How did Helena learn to read and write? What would her life have been like?
This is a very moving novel, and I think it's an important one too. There are so many women in our history who are invisible, whose everyday lives we know so little about. Guin's imagination has brought one of them to life.
Full disclosure : I've known Guin for some time and have no hesitation in recommending this book. It's one of those novels which will stay with me, and I know I will read it again.