The Golden Tulip, Rosalind Laker (3.5)
I wish I had read this book before my recent trip to Amsterdam. It is set there and parts of the rural Netherlands in the 1600’s after the Tulipmania and just prior to the invasion attempt by Louis XIV of France and describes the city and culture of that time. It follows a family of artists who know Rembrandt and Vermeer. Parts of the delight of the book are the details given of the painting process along with the progress of the painters, though the history and art of the book are the backdrop to a love story of the Master artist’s daughter (an artist in training herself) and a young tulip grower. The pace of the book is accelerated with obstacles placed between the two by some thoughtless and truly evil characters. Part way through I was concerned this would turn into a typical (and annoying) star-crossed lovers story, but I’m happy to report that, while not having a truly unique plot, it did redeem itself with enough variants from the ‘they must be doomed as everything goes against them’ theme. I realize this type of book is enjoyable to read, but the good characters are too nice and too good looking while the evil characters tend to be 100% bad. I think that is one of the big differentiators between lasting classics and just enjoyable reads.

Awful. Just...awful. Flat characters filling basic stereotypes -- tortured undependable artist, strong heroine with a soft heart, blah blah. The first half was just plain boring. The pace picked up after that, when the story conformed with all the usual period romance resolution tropes. I kept reading to the end because...book club. Spoiler alert -- there's nothing to spoil. All the exciting stuff happens in the last 15 pages or so, but after hours and hours hoping for something interesting it was not enough. I finished this 550 page tome and said, "Really? That's it?" Which I guess says most everything there is to say.

I do give the author credit for her research on the period especially re painters of note.

This is an exceptional book about artists in the 1600’s in Holland. There is something in it for everyone. For the historical novel readers, this is one of the best I have read. For those that love to learn about historical art, there are many artists included in this book. For those who like drama there is plenty to be found. And for those who like a little romance thrown in, there is just enough to make you want to turn the next page.

This is the story of the Visser family set in 17th century Holland. The father Hendrick is a wonderful painter but a drunk and a gambler. In one fateful act, he loses the family's fortune and is forced to promise his eldest daughter, Francesca to marry his loathsome patron Ludolf in order to keep their livelihood. Francesca is a painter herself and is in fact apprenticed to Johannes Vermeer. She has already fallen in love with a tulip grower Pieter van Doorne and the story follows of the Visser family's various struggles.

This was a beautifully written story...the way that RL mixed in the elements of painting with the ups and downs of the Visser family. Furthermore, each character had such sharply defined personalities.. my favorite was Aletta..mostly for her quiet intensity and her stubbornness. I gave this novel 4 stars mainly because the poliical sections seemed to be so randomly thrown in. It didn't mix well with the subtle beauty of the original story and I was thrown off at the end. Still, a lovely read and I plan on picking up her others soon.

Enjoyed the twists and turns in the story that delivered mid 1600's in Holland. Intrigue, painting history, French spies to take over... Fun read.

The book had a slow start and for a bit, I wasn’t sure where it was going but I ended up really enjoying it. Even though it’s kind of long, I’m glad I stuck with it. It’s really well written and very detailed.

Without spoiling it, I loved the way the three sisters persevered. They were also smart and funny and stubborn in different ways. There were several times where I thought there was no way they would get out of a certain predicament, and I was always surprised both when they actually did work it out, and when it just got worse.

I thought the ending was perfect. It tied everything together and provided enough closure that I was both satisfied and sad to be done with these characters.

There is a hint of politics and revolt but though it’s prominent in the story, it’s not overwhelming and doesn’t detract from the main storyline. I would definitely recommend this book if you like historical fiction and/or historical romance.

While I enjoy reading about artists & have affinity for Dutch/Flemish art, this book became tedious. I got half-way thru the 550 pg book. Needed some editing.

3.5

Traveling for 19 hours gives one plenty of time to read a 556 page book. Fortunately, it had enough surprises to keep me going. I enjoyed Francesca & Aletta's stories, but I didn't like Sybylla's marriage story. The book also made me interested in Holland's history & I'll probably do some more reading on it. (And everyone talks "huskily" after they make out - it always made me laugh.)

Beautiful story in a beautiful place. My only nitpicking gripe is thy occasionally I pictured the villain of the story twirling a handlebar mustache threatening to tie the heroine to a railroad track. Silly where my mind wanders!

This book started out v-e-r-y slow for me, but then got pretty good. Entertaining, the characters were eventually compelling, and interesting story.

Pročitala prvih 20tak stranica i nije me dovoljno zaintrigirala da pročitam i ostatak knjige, iako me je sazetak knjige privukao. Vraćam je u biblioteku nepročitanu :( Postoji mogućnost da joj se nekom drugom prilikom i u nekom drugom raspoloženju, ponovo vratim.