Reviews

Painter to the King by Amy Sackville

zoroco's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

chesesie's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

mytileneve's review against another edition

i was hoping for this book to be akin to tracy chevalier's girl with a pearl earring but from the artist's perspective, with a perhaps more interesting dynamic and a hint at a queer relationship but sadly the writing style felt so distant and alienating to me that i had to dnf this barely 50 pages in after a full week of trying to get into this story. this was the second time i picked up this book so i just don't think it's for me, sadly.

greenmind's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is low-key a total underrated, underknown masterpiece. It is such a challenging book to read - such lyrical, poetic language, almost art history but with added fiction and interpretation from a narrative perspective at times - but it truly takes you back in time, right inside the rooms where the Spanish court was known to a painter, now an incredibly famous painter…back in time to the everyday sensations of living as human. It’s exquisite and totally caught me by surprise. The writing is a “stream of consciousness” style and takes work - but it crackles through into your own subconscious and takes you so close into the experience of the players. 

jessgrace88's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

zsenzsen's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

mr_tell_me_a_fucking_secret's review against another edition

Just not for me writing style wise.

andthebeanstalk's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this, it ticked so many of my boxes - art, poetry, history, royalty...
I enjoyed the framing device with the contemporary narrator and the writing style worked for me, artistic dashes and all. The story did feel a bit oblique at times, losing some steam, more of the political machinations and wider context would have helped here. But the writing and imagery was all so gorgeously wrought, and the insights through the painter's eye were fascinating.

iyowe's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

This book is like a piece of art in itself. A fascinating account of Velazquez's time in the Spanish court, Velazquez the steady constant amongst the countless courtiers falling in and out of favour with King Philip IV. It's written in a stream of consciousness style with interjections from a modern day narrator which, on a couple of occasions, made it a bit difficult to follow. Definitely a challenging read but enjoyable too.

roseofoulesfame's review against another edition

4.0

This is an extraordinary book - partly a fangirl's tribute to Velasquez and his work (I did a LOT of Google image searches while reading this - a visit to the Prado is clearly long overdue), partly a step back through time into 17th century Spain, partly a melancholy reflection on mortality as we see Philip IV's legacy inevitably, inexorably, crumbling around him (this is basically the beginning of the end of the Spanish Habsburg line...Charles II of Spain anyone?). Also, the writing is mesmerising.

Not a book I would have picked out for myself ordinarily, so many thanks to the Wigtown Book Festival for including it in the box of books I received last year!