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A review by bluefairybug
Rembrandt's Promise by Barbara Leahy
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This is such a beautiful book, which makes sense seeing as it's about Rembrandt. I did wonder if the cover art was a Rembrandt painting, but if it is I couldn't find it. Either way, I think it's stunning and the more I look at it the more I notice.
I have to admit that I don't know anything at all about Rembrandt, other than him being an artist. I couldn't have told you that he was Dutch, or that he lived in the 17th Century. But I love learning new things, so this book was wonderful as I feel I've learned a little bit about him. Rembrandt's Promise is historical fiction, but is based on true story, and real people.
I loved the writing style of this novel. There were enough historical, and Dutch words to keep it firmly rooted in 17th Century Amsterdam, but it also felt modern enough that I wasn't left wondering what anything meant. The short chapters were easy to read, meaning I could pick it up and read a chapter or two whenever I had a spare few minutes.
They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and I have to admit that this story seemed so incredibly modern in some ways, that I had to Google to see how much of it was true. And, in terms of the bare bones of story, it all seems to be. Geertje was a truly astounding woman. The strength of character, and sense of justice, that she showed in standing up for what she believed in, against a man who had wealth and standing, was just remarkable.
Historical fiction is my favourite genre to read, and whilst this isn't a period I read about often, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was (pleasantly) surprised to realise that this is Barbara's debut novel, and I certainly hope there will be more books to come.
I have to admit that I don't know anything at all about Rembrandt, other than him being an artist. I couldn't have told you that he was Dutch, or that he lived in the 17th Century. But I love learning new things, so this book was wonderful as I feel I've learned a little bit about him. Rembrandt's Promise is historical fiction, but is based on true story, and real people.
I loved the writing style of this novel. There were enough historical, and Dutch words to keep it firmly rooted in 17th Century Amsterdam, but it also felt modern enough that I wasn't left wondering what anything meant. The short chapters were easy to read, meaning I could pick it up and read a chapter or two whenever I had a spare few minutes.
They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and I have to admit that this story seemed so incredibly modern in some ways, that I had to Google to see how much of it was true. And, in terms of the bare bones of story, it all seems to be. Geertje was a truly astounding woman. The strength of character, and sense of justice, that she showed in standing up for what she believed in, against a man who had wealth and standing, was just remarkable.
Historical fiction is my favourite genre to read, and whilst this isn't a period I read about often, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was (pleasantly) surprised to realise that this is Barbara's debut novel, and I certainly hope there will be more books to come.