A riveting book of historical fiction, which tells about art, love, family, and history in 17th century Amsterdam and Holland. I thought it would be too reminiscent of Girl with Pearl Earring and Girl in Hyacinth Blue, but it wasn't.

I have purchased this book but have not gotten around to opening it yet. The story looks promising... forbidden love, beautiful people, flowers. Yeah, the stuff chicks like. :)

Francesca is the eldest of three daughters of a painter in Amsterdam during the 1660's. Rembrandt is a close friend of the family and in time Francesca becomes tutored by Johanne Vermeer Delft. A wonderful insight to the Golden Age of The Netherlands.

Good summer read

I loved this book - it was an easy read, but with a more complicated plot. I love that it incorporated so many different styles of painting and brough them to life with words.

I had read Laker's "To Dance with Kings" years ago and remembered loving it. This one takes place during the Dutch Masters' painting era in the Netherlands. Excellent historical romance.

Set in Holland shortly before Louis XIV invaded, The Golden Tulip has history, intrigue, strong female protagonist, and of slew of great characters both admirable and flawed. This is not a light read at 668 pages.

I recommend this to fans of historical fiction with an epic feel.

This book starts off really slow, and the author could have cut quite a few words without sacrificing the story, but it ended up being a very good and interesting read. A lot in the beginning was fairly unnecessary, but it really picks up when Francesca goes to Delft, so don't give up before you get there. I would have preferred a few less exclamation marks, because the author really goes overboard with them, but it didn't detract from the book too much.

Part of the way into The Golden Tulip I nearly set it aside as not worth reading, because the characters were such very cliched. But then I decided it would be an OK beach book, so since it's summer . . . I kept going. Might not have read every word, but it was pleasant and entertaining enough - definitely a "lite" read. Sometimes a person needs a bit of lite. Not sorry I finished it.

I quite enjoyed the remarkably strong protagonist, Francesca. She is willful and talented, and I always enjoy historical fiction novels about artists. The events surrounding the plot are well-developed and believable.

I loved reading this book about Holland, Amsterdam, and tulips. I especially loved learning about how artists view the world and how they take reality and put it onto canvas. I would recommend this book!

A look at tulipomania in the Netherlands in the 17th century, set around the lives of three sisters. Rembrandt and Vermeer make appearances. I really enjoyed this one, as I had the sense of 'being there' throughout the novel.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_41425...