Historical. Takes place in the Netherlands in the 1600's. It's about a family of artists and the struggles they face to survive.

This book delves you into Amsterdam and the surrounding area's so you can see the streets and the famous artists of the time. We just traveled to that area and it was great revisiting the sites. A quick and enjoyable read

Interesting historical fiction novel featuring famous Dutch painters with some romance and other soap opera elements thrown in. An interesting read, but not the best thing I've ever read.

1st reading
Enjoyed novel thoroughly having found it on the new books shelf in my local library when THE GOLDEN TULIP was newly published in 2007.

2nd reading
The GOLDEN TULIP is good solid historical romantic fiction. It contains all the elements that make a perfect read for me. Varied and interesting characters, well written and researched historical details, interesting, fast moving storyline and best of all—beautiful art and imagery.

The major seduction for me is the setting of the post golden era of Holland —-Rembrandt, Vemeer, tulip mania, artistic pursuit, women’s role in society and painting.

THE MINIATURIST is another superb novel for readers like myself who are interested in the Dutch Golden era.

I liked the book, found it riveting. I never got bored. The images are beautiful, as is appropriate for a book about painters. The storyline is intriguing. But then I saw The Girl with the Pearl Earring on TV and saw that this book and that movie were too similar. I don't know which came first, but one was a rip-off. Though I haven't read the book The Girl with the Pearl Earring, I was just disappointed to find out that the Golden Tulip, which I had enjoyed so much, was not unique.

I picked up The Golden Tulip by Rosalind Laker at an airport in Denver on December 1, 2007, not wanting to waste my time dozing off on a subsequent flight. The color and title of the book initially drew me to the book, and then when I learnt that the book was about a painter, I became more interested.

Karen Harper, author of The Last Boleyn, which I haven’t read, remarks that The Golden Tulip is richly reminiscent of Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with A Pearl Earring. The settings in The Golden Tulip and Girl with a Pearl Earring have common elements - yes. But I think The Golden Tulip is more reminiscent of Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. Ludolf immediately reveals himself as a solipsist, and it is amazing to see the lengths to which he would go to have what he wishes. But I don’t know what to make of Hendrick. He is a pompous idiot at the very least.

Of all the characters, perhaps the one who moves my heart the most is Aletta.

A book of historical fiction, similar to "girl in hyacinth blue" and "girl with a Pearl Earring," it chooses as its heroine, a young female artist taken as an apprentice to Jan Vermeer during a turbulent time in Dutch History.

Full of art, music, political intrigue, villians and great love this book set in 17th century Holland refers to the Political ambitions of Louie IV, and the masters of Florence Italy.

At some point (200 pages in) i lost track of time and found myself curious about the tulip fields in Holland and the historical streets of Amsterdam... I will surely have it in my mind when i see it for myself.

Most true in the book is a note on page 287: " Lovers are fortunate when they are friends as well...." and to not take for granted a single moment with those you love.




Author: Rosalind Laker
Three Rivers Press
2007
P.556

This is basically a 2 part book. The first part is filled with descriptions. I almost quit reading. The second part contains the actual meat of the book, which is good. My advice to future readers is to skim the first part and then settle in to the good part.

When I first read the description of this story I had the smarts not to read anyone else's review. I enjoyed what I read beforehand and I didn't want other people to tarnish my opinion. I think if I had read someone's less-than-five-star review, I would not have considered reading the book. And I am glad I did this because THE GOLDEN TULIP was such a rich and honored narrative with considerable depth.

So, if you have read the publisher's depiction and you think this is a story you might want to read, STOP HERE. Read the story!

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My Review:
I will start with the biggest drawback. The hardcover I read was 585 pages with small print. The actual size of the book was not overly large but you could have easily used it to press flowers.

The story was historical fiction mixed with real characters that lived during the 1600's in Holland, a former province of the Netherlands. Francesca Visser, a young woman, wanted to become an artist in the truest sense: a Master Painter. This was a serious profession if you had money and influence to seek an apprenticeship. It was also the story of the three men that affected her the most.

Her papa, the artist Hendrick Visser, was a fifty-something year old man with the attitude of a self-absorbent boy. His moodiness, excessive drinking and gambling habit affected his household all the time. He controlled the money but required his wife, and then Francesca, to pay the bills. This issue was a constant source of anxiety.

Then there was the sordid, degenerative Ludolf van Deventer, her father's patron and a man whom lusted after Francesca. He was determined that nothing would stop him from possessing her. NOTHING. The best way to describe him? Think of oily sandpaper running over your skin.

Lastly, there was the kindly Pieter van Doorne. From the first moment he saw Francesca, he knew in his heart she was someone special. He was a horticulturalist before the term came into being. He tended to his bulbs and landscaped to make ends meet. As strongly as Francesca wanted to become a Master Painter, Pieter had a deep passion for growing flowers. Because he understood her intentness, he respected Francesca. And with a fierceness he had never felt before, he loved her.

Francesca's sisters, Aletta and Sybella, tug and push the plot along. There were two wonderful secondary stories in the second half of the book when they reach adulthood. You will also 'meet' Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer with all their idiosyncrasies. I am not an expert on art but there was a time or two that I wondered if Ms. Laker took some liberties. On the flip side, the author took great care in bringing these people, along with all the others, to life.

THE GOLDEN TULIP was very much a character-driven story. It contained espionage, family drama and romance with some surprising men. Until now, the closest I have come to enjoying a book from this general era was THE TINNER'S BRIDE by Irene Northan. Like that story, TGT won me over with five stars.

This is about an innocent yet courageous young woman who came under the control of an obsessive, powerful and influential murderous spy due to her beloved father's gambling debts of which again the said sinister gentleman had a hand. Francesca Visser and her sisters were daughters of an indifferent and undisciplined painter who could be good but would never be great, though only Francesca and Aletta showed interest in painting; Sybylla, the youngest, only wanted to be rich. Francesca's raw talent was perceived by her father's agent as similar to that of Vermeer hence her apprenticeship with the artist in Deflt where Ludolf enforced his control on her lodgings and restrictions on her interactions with anyone outside of family including the young tulip grower, Pieter van Doorn. Pieter fell in love with Francesca in her model~guise as Flora, Goddess of Spring when he came to deliver some of his tulip bulbs to the Visser house in Amsterdam. Each of the 3 sisters found their own destinies after so much plethora of drama, intrigues and even a battle ~ for the valiant Dutch would never be cowed by any invaders, this time by the French. This is a glorious and thrilling novel and more than a love story for it is the epitome of reliving moments in history.

Two of Master Painter Visser's three daughters are apprenticing with him. Francesca, the eldest shows the most promise, focus and direction. Aletta, wants to paint to make her own money, while Sybylla is looking for wealth and status in marriage. Unfortunately, Visser is a gambler and his greed forces him to sign away his daughter Francesca's life to marry a despicably lecherous man who buys out his debts. Francesca has no idea as she is allowed to follow her pursuit to apprentice with Jan Vermeer in Delft. Used to freedom and carefree living, Francesca quickly learns that her stay in Delft is strictly monitored by her "house mother" landlord. Painting is Francesca's only freedom in Delft, and her work blossoms as does her friendship with Pieter (a tulip grower from her hometown). The story of Francesca is interwoven with the story of her two sisters. Aletta is estranged from her father, and Sybylla believes her world is just right as she prepares to marry, until she begins to question her true feelings. This book had so many different stories creating one novel, Laker has you never wanting you to put the book down. The character of Francesca is so strong, she is a favorite of mine. I honestly can't imagine a person with such resolve. [return]She will surely make you think about life and what is important to you.

That was quite a saga. Detailed, historical, coming of age, old Netherlands, artists galore. Yep, that was a saga.