Girl In Hyacinth Blue
Registered by 
ILuvToRead2
of -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on 7/25/2003
ILuvToRead2 of -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on 7/25/200312 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by ILuvToRead2 from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Friday, July 25, 2003
ILuvToRead2 from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Friday, July 25, 2003
From the back:
A luminous tale about art and human experience that is as breathtaking as any Vermeer painting.
A professor invites a colleague from the art department to his home to see a painting that he has kept secret for decades. The professor swears it is a Vermeer - why has he hidden this important work for so long? The reasons unfold in a series of stories that trace ownership of the painting back to World War II and Amsterdam, and still further back to the moment of the work's inspiration. As the painting moves through each owner's hands, what was long hidden quietly surfaces, illuminating poignant moments in human lives. Vreeland's characters remind us, through their love of the mysterious painting, how beauty transforms and why we reach for it, what lasts, and what in our lives is singular and unforgettable.
A luminous tale about art and human experience that is as breathtaking as any Vermeer painting.
A professor invites a colleague from the art department to his home to see a painting that he has kept secret for decades. The professor swears it is a Vermeer - why has he hidden this important work for so long? The reasons unfold in a series of stories that trace ownership of the painting back to World War II and Amsterdam, and still further back to the moment of the work's inspiration. As the painting moves through each owner's hands, what was long hidden quietly surfaces, illuminating poignant moments in human lives. Vreeland's characters remind us, through their love of the mysterious painting, how beauty transforms and why we reach for it, what lasts, and what in our lives is singular and unforgettable.
Journal Entry 2 by ILuvToRead2 from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Tuesday, November 25, 2003
ILuvToRead2 from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Tuesday, November 25, 2003
This bookring is starting. Here are the participants:
1) GuinevereII (New Jersey)
2) Wildflower67 (New Jersey)
3) MarciNYC (New Jersey)
4) dragonfly4 (Canada)
5) Ilios (Florida)
6) WarEagle78 (Alabama)
7) jamieh2003 (West Virginia)
8) Kernow8 (UK)
9) ReetPetite (UK)
10) fflloorr (Portugal)
11) shroomi (Portugal)
12) PreciousArwen (Portugal)
13) katayoun (Iran)
14) hathyia (Malaysia) * on its way to
15) kucingkiut (Malaysia)
16) Scism (Australia)
17) EDDI (Australia)
18) boreal (New Zealand)
19) janetcarolina
20) ILuvToRead2 (back to me in Illinois)
1) GuinevereII (New Jersey)
2) Wildflower67 (New Jersey)
3) MarciNYC (New Jersey)
4) dragonfly4 (Canada)
5) Ilios (Florida)
6) WarEagle78 (Alabama)
7) jamieh2003 (West Virginia)
8) Kernow8 (UK)
9) ReetPetite (UK)
10) fflloorr (Portugal)
11) shroomi (Portugal)
12) PreciousArwen (Portugal)
13) katayoun (Iran)
14) hathyia (Malaysia) * on its way to
15) kucingkiut (Malaysia)
16) Scism (Australia)
17) EDDI (Australia)
18) boreal (New Zealand)
19) janetcarolina
20) ILuvToRead2 (back to me in Illinois)
This arrived in the mail today with not one, but three postcards tucked inside the pages. Woo hoo! My favorite one is the picture to the left, and the quote says, "It was a delightful visit---perfect, in being much too short." - Jane AustenI feel very cool being first on the bookring, and I'm really looking forward to this one. :)
I wouldn't call this book a story; it's many stories that happen to be bound together by a painting. The idea that an object can outlive a person scares me in a way, but thrills me at the same time. I love how the painting is passed along from one person to the next, yet there are still a few gaps in between chapters...to let the reader storm up their own piece of the tale. I think this book is perfect for a bookring. As the painting changes hands, so does this book!
My favorite chapters are "Magdelena Looking" and "Morningshine." The first one I mentioned is the last chapter, so I won't spoil the ending. But the latter has made me think about beauty and object, and how beauty should be cherished (but not worshipped). This chapter partfully poses the question: What is life without beauty? My favorite quote from the novel: "All you see in life is work. Just painting, hauling, shoveling, digging. That's all life is to you. But not to me, Stijn. Not to me. There's got to be some beauty, too." - p. 145
The interview with the author was fun! It really does deepen my understanding and realization of the power in this little book. Even the book itself, as an object, is beautiful. The color, texture, and trimming of the cover is delicate in a way, and I adore the painting on the cover. It isn't the focal painting of the story. To slap that on the cover would ruin it. Rather, it's the girl looking in the window instead of out, just as Digna described. It reveals enough, but not so much to wreck the reader's version of the painting in his/her mind. It's done just right. :)
My favorite chapters are "Magdelena Looking" and "Morningshine." The first one I mentioned is the last chapter, so I won't spoil the ending. But the latter has made me think about beauty and object, and how beauty should be cherished (but not worshipped). This chapter partfully poses the question: What is life without beauty? My favorite quote from the novel: "All you see in life is work. Just painting, hauling, shoveling, digging. That's all life is to you. But not to me, Stijn. Not to me. There's got to be some beauty, too." - p. 145
The interview with the author was fun! It really does deepen my understanding and realization of the power in this little book. Even the book itself, as an object, is beautiful. The color, texture, and trimming of the cover is delicate in a way, and I adore the painting on the cover. It isn't the focal painting of the story. To slap that on the cover would ruin it. Rather, it's the girl looking in the window instead of out, just as Digna described. It reveals enough, but not so much to wreck the reader's version of the painting in his/her mind. It's done just right. :)
Mailed to Wildflower67 today to continue the ring. Hope she enjoys!
Received this bookring in today's mail. I will begin reading it as soon as I'm finished the book I'm currently reading. :)
The Vermeer painting shown here is called The Concert. It was stolen and is still unrecovered.Girl in Hyacinth Blue is a series of stories based on a painting by Vermeer. It starts with the most recent owner of the painting and works in reverse chronological order to the creation of the painting.
Each chapter intimately introduces the reader to the lives that were touched by the painting. Each story is a beautiful tale of love and loss, and the healing qualities of the painting.
My favorite chapter was From the Personal Papers of Adriaan Kuypers. The love that Adriaan had for Aletta was a beautiful, heart-wrenching, forbidden secret affair. The romance in his feelings for her was precious, and this heartfelt love extended to his poor little newborn baby. This particular chapter was overwhelmed with loss, but the love was amazing. Aletta, possessed by the superstitions of her family and culture, bonded with the painting of the Girl in Hyacinth Blue. She would sit before it and cry for what the painting gave her that her life did not. It was fitting that the painting went with the baby at the end of the chapter. It was such a sweet tribute to Aletta that Adriaan followed through with her traditions of placing the cabbage leaf with the baby, knowing this is what she wanted. Adriaan’s love for his son was evident by his care for him and making sure that he would spend his life being loved and cared for.
All of the chapters were touching in this way. Each took place in a different time and had a different story. I can’t say enough for the way Susan Vreeland wove so many stories and touched so many of her characters lives with the beauty and connection of the painting.
Journal Entry 8 by Wildflower67 at Mail Delivery in Upper Township, New Jersey -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Released on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at Mail Delivery in Upper Township, New Jersey Controlled Releases.
Mailed to MarciNYC today.
Mailed to MarciNYC today.
What great timing - home from a mini-break and all my rings/rays were sent out before I left. This will go tot he top of the TBR pile and I should have out to the next person on the list by mid March. Thanks for including me in this bookring.
P.S. Love the postcard of the Chicago skyline! Brings back a lot of memories!
P.S. Love the postcard of the Chicago skyline! Brings back a lot of memories!
Having just finished Tracy Chevalier's "Girl With a Pearl Earring" I was delighted to receive this book so soon afterwards. I've become more interested in Vermeer as a result, which shocks and delights MrNYC as he's a big Vermeer fan. I won't compare the two stories, except to say I liked them both.
"Girl in Hyacinth Blue" was a delightful string of stories in reverse chronological order taking us from the present-day owner of an "alleged" Vermeer to the creation of the painting. Through four centuries the reader travels, getting glipmses into the lives of each owner of the painting. I found myself wiping away a few stray tears at the end - but not to spoil it, I'll say no more.
I'll be PMing the next on the list today - will hope to get this out the door this week.
"Girl in Hyacinth Blue" was a delightful string of stories in reverse chronological order taking us from the present-day owner of an "alleged" Vermeer to the creation of the painting. Through four centuries the reader travels, getting glipmses into the lives of each owner of the painting. I found myself wiping away a few stray tears at the end - but not to spoil it, I'll say no more.
I'll be PMing the next on the list today - will hope to get this out the door this week.
The book arrived yesterday. Perfect timing because I'm just about to finish my other book.
I loved how the author made the characters come alive with so few words. You really got a sense of who they were and were drawn into their worlds. A very enjoyable read. Thanks ILuvToRead2!
I mailed it off today to Ilios today.
I mailed it off today to Ilios today.
Just got it in the mail! Thanks to ILuvToRead2 and to dragonfly4. I will start reading it as soon as I am done with my other rings/rays.
5/18/04
I finished this book yesterday and I am so happy that I had a chance to read it. I really loved the stories and how the author tells the fate of a paintings throughout History through the stories of its owners. Magdalena Looking is very touching. I also enjoyed the description of life in the Netherlands across time.
5/18/04
I finished this book yesterday and I am so happy that I had a chance to read it. I really loved the stories and how the author tells the fate of a paintings throughout History through the stories of its owners. Magdalena Looking is very touching. I also enjoyed the description of life in the Netherlands across time.
Journal Entry 14 by Ilios at post office in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Released on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at post office in snail mailed to a fellow bookcrosser as part of a bookring, Bookring Controlled Releases.
Off to WarEAgle78!
Off to WarEAgle78!
Received in today's mail. It looks beautiful, as does the lovely postcard, thanks for sharing! I'll journal again when read.
This was a lovely and evocative story. The tale traces the life of a painting by Vermeer, from its present-day hide-a-way as a painful yet beloved reminder of a father's Nazi past, to the love of the daughter who posed for the painting. Although the story and, indeed, the painting itself, is fiction, the vignettes ring true with the cares of everyday life graced by an appreciation of the painting's beauty.
Thanks, ILuvToRead2, for sharing this graceful book. Will be in mail to West Virginia on Saturday.
Thanks, ILuvToRead2, for sharing this graceful book. Will be in mail to West Virginia on Saturday.
Mailed at lunchtime today to West Virginia. Hope you enjoy the book too, jamieh2003!
Yay! It came today. I'm really looking forward to reading this one. I promise to get it read and on its way within a few days. Thanks for including me on this ring.
What a wonderful collection of tales! Thanks for the opportunity to read this
ILuvToRead2. I loved the postcard as well.
Vreeland's writing is magical with the ability to take you out of the moment and into the history of this lovely painting. What a trip it was! I can't recommend this book highly enough. It really is one of the best I've read this year.
This will be off to Kernow8 as soon as I get her new UK address.
ILuvToRead2. I loved the postcard as well.
Vreeland's writing is magical with the ability to take you out of the moment and into the history of this lovely painting. What a trip it was! I can't recommend this book highly enough. It really is one of the best I've read this year.
This will be off to Kernow8 as soon as I get her new UK address.
Journal Entry 20 by jamieh2003 at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 1, 2004
Released on Thursday, July 01, 2004 at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring Controlled Releases.to Kernow8 via surface mail
This arrived in the mail a couple of days ago but we've been offline since then - this is the first chance I've had to journal it. That surface mail was quicker than my airmail mail forwarding service - amazing! Thanks jamieh2003 for sending it over, I'll read it as soon as I can and then pass it on to ReetPetite.
What a lovely book - I fell asleep dreaming about it and the connections between the stories the night I finished it! It was interesting too to read the interview with the author to see how the book was formed. One of the odder aspects of the book was that some chapters were clearly and obviously linked, and yet others seemed to be disconnected from the preceding and/or following chapters. Maybe a closer second reading would show the link, but I kind of liked having those "gaps" which allow the reader's imagination to flow.
I'd already read "Girl with a Pearl Earring", which was quite different but just as enjoyable. I'm now looking forward to reading "The Passion of Artemisia" when that reaches me. Books based on paintings & artists, fictional or real, seem to be becoming one of my favourite sub-genres - I also very much enjoyed reading "The Da Vinci Code" and "Landscape of Lies". What is interesting is that all these books span different main genres - mystery, thriller, historical fiction...
Thanks ILuvToRead2 and jamieh2003, and everyone in between. I'm now waiting for ReetPetite's address so that I can get this going again.
I'd already read "Girl with a Pearl Earring", which was quite different but just as enjoyable. I'm now looking forward to reading "The Passion of Artemisia" when that reaches me. Books based on paintings & artists, fictional or real, seem to be becoming one of my favourite sub-genres - I also very much enjoyed reading "The Da Vinci Code" and "Landscape of Lies". What is interesting is that all these books span different main genres - mystery, thriller, historical fiction...
Thanks ILuvToRead2 and jamieh2003, and everyone in between. I'm now waiting for ReetPetite's address so that I can get this going again.
Sent to ReetPetite today. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 24 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Received today. Thanks Kernow8.
Journal Entry 25 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, August 23, 2004
I really enjoyed this book and it didn't take long to read. There was a gap of 100 years between 2 of the stories so perhaps another one could have been put in. Some of the stories stood out more than others, I liked Morningshine. It was about an imaginary painting but it was very well described.
Thanks to ILuveToRead2 for sharing.
I had a nice postcard of Emily Dickinson's desk with it.
I will be sending it to fflloorr.
Thanks to ILuveToRead2 for sharing.
I had a nice postcard of Emily Dickinson's desk with it.
I will be sending it to fflloorr.
Journal Entry 26 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 24, 2004
fflloorr has already read it so I'll be sending it to shroomi.
The book arrived today! Thank's ReetPetite! Loved the postcard!
I'm looking forward to reading it but first I must finish the one I'm reading now...
I'm looking forward to reading it but first I must finish the one I'm reading now...
First of all I must apologise for taking so long to read the book!
The aspect I liked the most was the idea of a painting changing people's life. I'm only sorry that it acted almost like a curse to everyone who add it.
I must say that now Vermeer is one of my favourite painters!
Since PreciousArwen has already read the book, I'll contact katayoun and pass it on.
The aspect I liked the most was the idea of a painting changing people's life. I'm only sorry that it acted almost like a curse to everyone who add it.
I must say that now Vermeer is one of my favourite painters!
Since PreciousArwen has already read the book, I'll contact katayoun and pass it on.
here! came at a great time, no rings and i'm taking the day off. have read a couple of chapters and it's engrossing. thanks shroomi and ILuvToRead2.
on it's way to hathyia, hopefully (touch wood and postal gods willing.. why temp fate i say!) it should be there in not more than a month.
and about the book, a lovely book, just little thoughts on love and how traitorous it can be and how one beautiful picture touches it all or maybe is just a traveller is just touched by all these human emotions.
it's beautiful as how each person sees the same painting and yet seems so many other things in it, how it represents so many desires.... i suppose that's art to be there and be more than what you feel, more than what you want and then pass through. my glass raised to all the artits in world, creating lives, stories, emotions.
thanks ILuvToRead2 for a lovely book.
and about the book, a lovely book, just little thoughts on love and how traitorous it can be and how one beautiful picture touches it all or maybe is just a traveller is just touched by all these human emotions.
it's beautiful as how each person sees the same painting and yet seems so many other things in it, how it represents so many desires.... i suppose that's art to be there and be more than what you feel, more than what you want and then pass through. my glass raised to all the artits in world, creating lives, stories, emotions.
thanks ILuvToRead2 for a lovely book.
