67 pages • 2 hours read
Girl In Hyacinth Blue
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
196
Novel • Fiction
Holland • 17th Century
Adult
16+ years
950L
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
42,239 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
42,239 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
196
Novel • Fiction
Holland • 17th Century
Adult
16+ years
950L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.