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67 pages 2 hours read

Girl In Hyacinth Blue

Fiction | Novel | Adult

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Book Brief

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Susan Vreeland

Girl In Hyacinth Blue

Fiction | Novel | Adult
Book Details
Pages

196

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Holland • 17th Century

Theme
Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Lexile Level

950L

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Super Short Summary

Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland explores the journey of an imagined Vermeer painting through the centuries, depicting the lives of its various owners from the present to the mid-17th century. This reverse-chronological narrative delves into how the painting influences each owner and reveals the timeless power of art. The novel addresses sensitive themes including the Holocaust, infanticide, and marital strife.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Emotional

Serene

Reviews & Readership

3.9

42,239 ratings

62%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Susan Vreeland's Girl in Hyacinth Blue intertwines eight poignant stories reflecting the journey of a Vermeer painting through time. Critics commend its lyrical prose and rich historical detail, though some feel the narrative structure disrupts flow. Each character's intimate connection with the painting adds depth, but the disjointed timeline can be challenging.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Girl In Hyacinth Blue?

Readers who would enjoy Girl In Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland typically have an appreciation for art history, historical fiction, and interconnected narratives. Fans of Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring or Geraldine Brooks’ The Girl in the Green Sweater will likely find this novel captivating for its rich detail and exploration of a painting’s legacy through time.

3.9

42,239 ratings

62%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Cornelius Engelbrecht

A modern and complex character who grapples with moral dilemmas surrounding a painting tainted by contamination, reflecting his internal struggle with family secrets and heritage.

A sensitive young girl on the brink of womanhood, deeply affected by the changing world around her and the unfolding historical events she witnesses, symbolizing innocence and hope.

A man who evolves from a self-involved perspective on love to a mature understanding of enduring companionship with his wife, reflecting on past mistakes and personal growth.

A charismatic and unconventional high-society matron, characterized by her bold pursuit of authentic love and self-realization, ultimately choosing spontaneity over societal expectations.

A devoted wife and mother, whose story is rich with religious symbolism and personal transformation through temptation and redemption, intertwined with her attachment to a painting.

An intellectual and scholarly character with a scientific mindset, who struggles with the contrast between rationality and the superstitious beliefs of someone he cares for deeply.

A talented but impoverished artist who sacrifices his passion for painting to support his family, embodying the conflict between artistic devotion and familial responsibilities.

A tragic figure who admires her father and longs for a creative life of her own, yet faces limitations imposed by her gender and circumstances, living with unfulfilled creative aspirations.

Book Details
Pages

196

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Holland • 17th Century

Theme
Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Lexile Level

950L

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