Book Review

Yes, I finally had time to read a book!! Not on the topic of parenting, marriage, nutrition, psychology...but fiction!! Wow -- it's been awhile. This title came very randomly as I was almost worshipping my hyacinths this spring. I searched Google for the word 'hyacinth' and noticed a book on the list named "Girl in Hyacinth Blue". As an aside, if you'd like to see and almost smell a few of these beauties, click here! Now, I've never really reviewed a book before (well, since those fated book reports in grade school), so I'm going to swallow my pride and give it a shot.

The book centers around a simple painting with exquisite detail, reminiscent of works by Jan van der Meer or more familiarly known as Vermeer. Each chapter tells the story of the painting's owners as it travels from one home to another, reaching deep into each heart. The book begins at the present day and follows the painting back in time until finally telling the story of the painter and the painted themselves.

My first reaction as I read was complacency -- so much detail and drama for one painting, I thought! What a waste of words. But as I read further into the past and became closer knit to the people described and their emotional connection to this painting, my interest grew. The anecdotes captured me, especially since so much of the plot was in relation to the painting! The author, Susan Vreeland, painted human emotions and scenes from everyday life with vibrancy, so you feel connected to it all.

There were a few subtleties which probably should be rated PG-13, all lending to the intrigue of the story of course. Humanity and truth are represented in this book -- all under the gazing eyes of the girl in the painting. When a family must sell this work of art to feed their hungry children, you feel the pain and ties that must be broken. How can art grip your soul like that? Isn't that being very impractical? When a man has wasted away his whole life for fear of being found out, you realize how torturesome guilt can be. Is it worth it? What have we sold ourselves to if we will trade our happiness for a lie?

Anyway -- it was a very interesting read and I really enjoyed it! Pretty good for just liking the title, eh?