This novel is not just a portrait of a girl, but one of its times, a household in Delft in the mid-seventeenth century.

It is an interesting read, and has some similarities with Chevalier's 'Remarkable Creatures', the story of Mary Anning, in that they examine the place of disadvantaged women in particular social settings. I did enjoy the latter more, but that may just be because I have an interest in fossils, rather than art...

I am passing this book on to my good friend Colleen.

The book came back - I will release it in Lithgow today.

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