lizaktzxy's review
5.0
It's more like 4.5/5 but it does come pretty close to snatching a 5/5 from me.
The book follows the lives of 8 people through the centuries who are all connected by a single painting. I don't have much knowledge of art, nor am I a big fan of short stories, but this book touched my soul. The way it was written, the language used to portray the delicacy and rawness of human emotions was absolutely breathtaking. This is the first time I've been exposed to Susan Vreeland's writing, and I must say I'm impressed.
The book follows the lives of 8 people through the centuries who are all connected by a single painting. I don't have much knowledge of art, nor am I a big fan of short stories, but this book touched my soul. The way it was written, the language used to portray the delicacy and rawness of human emotions was absolutely breathtaking. This is the first time I've been exposed to Susan Vreeland's writing, and I must say I'm impressed.
bookzealots's review
2.0
Fascinating story regression, which confused me in the second part, but then realized what was happening and rolled with it. There were good people who owned the painting and not so good people who owned it. Their thoughts about the girl in the painting were interesting. The obsession was odd. There was one girl who was extremely superstitious. I didn't like the chapter of the adulteress wife.
This story is still with me and so I might give it three stars for that. It was thought provoking and I do want to know more of the history. However, there isn't much history which makes this book all the more intriguing. I'm glad I read it.
This story is still with me and so I might give it three stars for that. It was thought provoking and I do want to know more of the history. However, there isn't much history which makes this book all the more intriguing. I'm glad I read it.
spring_bean's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jjgrl55's review
3.0
The primary reason I rated this only 3 stars is because the book was too short to feel truly satisfying. The writing itself was thoroughly enjoyable and touching without being trite. The novel reads almost more like a book of short stories, all if which happen to be about one remarkable painting and the lives it has touched. The little vignettes into history were well done, some better than others. Still, do not expect to feel fully resolved at the end of the novel- many lose ends are purposely left unexplained.
evadis's review
4.0
Mooi boekje. Wat herhalingen in de thematiek/personages maar dat mocht de pret niet drukken.
booksandsnacks31's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
A very cool concept for a book and loved the stories through time.
graceflacke's review
5.0
Absolutely wonderful. I flew through this book in two days and enjoyed every single story line. Tracing a painting's history back through those who owned it really creates a delicious narrative to sink your teeth into.
kendra_bc's review
3.0
I liked seeing how the painting affected all of its owners differently, but the way the chapters were arranged was a bit confusing. I could not always figure out if it was going forward or back in time. Also, I would have like to know if the current owner ever found out if it was a Vermeer or not.