Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to girl in hyacinth blue. Tracing the influence of one extraordinary picture on a succession of human lives, it touches gently yet thoughtfully on such weighty topics as the immortality of a great artwork and the ways in which art can be used for various ends. The painting has enormous value in the present, but as the novel proceeds back to the time when it was painted, its value rises and falls based on whether its owners know where it came from, and. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are. It is a historical fiction that takes place during 1861, during the american civil war plot. And herein lay both the challenge and stimulus for me as a professional. Oct 01, 2000 girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland this luminous story begins in the present day, when a professor invites a colleague to his home to see a painting that he has kept secret for decades. Girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland librarything.
Her passionately written and exquisitely crafted novel has indubitably contributed to a broader and deeper understanding of vermeers art. Hyacinth bulbs dont usually live for more than about three or four years. What does girl in hyacinth blue suggest about the value personal and monetary and functionpurpose of art how does art serve us. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland. He is lauded for his mastery of capturing light reflecting off his subjects faces. She explained in the book that the thing she wanted most was for the picture to have a name and a story and in the end the painting did not. Remove the small offsets forming around the edges of the bulbs, and replant everything, including the original bulbs.
No hyacinth flowers how to get a hyacinth bulb to bloom. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 242 pages and is available in paperback format. Be patient, because it will take a few years for the. Though described as a novel, vreelands book is more a collection of. Girl in hyacinth blue girl in hyacinth blue explore teaching activities to extend and enrich the student understanding of the girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland.
It is a symbol of art and creativity, because whether one is a peasant farm wife or a schoolteacher two hundred years later, art can evoke the same emotions in all. Vreelands wonderful second outing what love sees, 1996, not seen is a novel made of stories, each delving farther into the provenance of a vermeer painting. Girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland, paperback barnes. Reviewed by linda salisbury september october 1999. Buy the paperback book girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland at indigo. Claudine knew she could not stick around so what she did next damaged her. The painting has enormous value in the present, but as the novel proceeds back to the time when it was painted, its value rises and falls based on. In the end, each will come to realize that her salvation, if not survival, lies with the other. Extremely fragrant, hyacinth blue star features densely flowered spikes of soft blue flowers with slightly paler edges. This study guide consists of approximately 26 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of girl in hyacinth blue. She is known for writing historical fiction on artrelated themes, including girl in hyacinth blue, the passion of artemisia, luncheon of the boating party, and clara and mr. Hyacinth flowers facts, varieties,growing and plant. Susan vreeland is the new york times bestselling author of eight books, including clara and mr. In susan vreelands girl in hyacinth blue, the star in the story is a johannes vermeer painting.
Mar 20, 2012 despite their unsatisfied longings, their own and others flaws, the girl in hyacinth blue has the power to engender love in all its human variety. Blue jacket is one of the popular newer hybrids, and no wonder. Set at a moment of profound artistic, cultural, and societal change, the painted girls is a tale of two remarkable sisters rendered uniquely vulnerable to the darker impulses of civilized society. Girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland overdrive rakuten.
There are many little stories within girl in hyacinth blue to entertain the reader, and susan vreeland knows how to keep you engaged. We specialize in handmade books of smaller press runs. A little gem of a novel is susan vreelands girl in hyacinth blue, a series of short tales about a mysterious painting attributed to the great 17thcentury dutch artist. The first edition of the novel was published in 1999, and was written by susan vreeland. Despite their unsatisfied longings, their own and others flaws, the girl in hyacinth blue has the power to engender love in all its human variety. A most extraordinary painting in which a young girl wearing a short blue smock over a rustcolored skirt sat in profile at a table by an open window. With a little care, you can keep your indoor hyacinth after blooming to ensure many more fragrant blossoms in the future. The girl in hyacinth blue, by susan vreeland, was a wellwritten, thought provoking and inspiring book. Heavily scented, multiaward winning hyacinth blue jacket features dense spikes of deep blue flowers with a dark purple stripe on each petal. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Jul 25, 2014 what is girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland about. Hyacinth girl press is a micropress that publishes up to 6 poetry chapbooks each year. Her abusive father wants her to marry an abusive neighbor who has several children.
Susan vreeland is an internationally renowned bestselling author and fourtime winner of the theodor geisel award for fiction, the san diego book awards highest honor. The main character is a paintingsupposedly a rare original by vermeer. Girl in hyacinth blue is a lovely historical fiction with a twistthe tale is told backwards starting from the present and working its way back in time. It is an imagined work by vermeer, created in the mind and heart the author. Susan vreeland booklist susan vreeland message board. Girl in hyacinth blue, book by susan vreeland paperback. Girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland reading guide. Rising atop strapshaped green leaves, this striking hyacinth blooms for 23 weeks in mid spring.
In the novels anthem, life of pi, girl in hyacinth blue and the play julius caesar, along with the essay of self reliance, all similar, but different in the same way, the authors each explore the concept of ego. And, as this twisty debut demonstrates, whom to believe. The book, the toy, the food, the paintingeach has become my own. The book follows the owners of a painting by vermeer of the same name, from the present day back to the midseventeenth century when it. Vreelands wonderful second outing what love sees, 1996, not seen is a novel made of stories, each delving farther into the provenance of a vermeer painting, and each capturing a moment of life, much as the great painter did himself. The paintingthis girl so simple in her dress and demeanorimmediately claims a space in. Susan vreeland imagined just such a humble domestic scene, suggested it was created in 17thcentury holland, and attributed it to jan vermeer. Its rich blue hue combines remarkably well with most colors, specifically with yellow daffodils, which bloom at about the same time. Girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland content rating and. I learned about the book while taking critical reading and writing, and i really enjoyed the storyline. Luckily, you dont have to know art history to enjoy the book. Let me emphasize, straight away, that he isnt what i would call a friend, but i know him enough to say that he did purposely design himself.
It isnt worth much, though i do like the way it mimics a vermeer. Girl in hyacinth blue pdf about girl in hyacinth blue book pdf. Buy a cheap copy of girl in hyacinth blue book by susan vreeland. Hyacinth flowers facts, varieties,growing and plant caring tips. Keep reading to learn more about hyacinth care indoors after blooming. In girl in hyacinth blue, susan vreeland posits the existence of a 36th. Girl in hyacinth blue and millions of other books are available for instant access. The girl in hyacinth blue should appeal to readers who enjoy non traditional love stories. Susan joyce vreeland january 20, 1946 august 23, 2017 was an american author. Such is the case of the vermeer painting, girl in hyacinth blue, as described by author.
Girl in hyacinth blue book summary and study guide. Final thoughts on girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland. She is known for writing historical fiction on artrelated themes, including girl in hyacinth blue, the passion of artemisia, luncheon of the boating party. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Do you feel the author is focusing more on the role of art or the nature of life. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Thus, it is a painting with its own persona and not a copy. Review of girl in hyacinth blue 9781878448903 foreword. There are only 35 known vermeers extant in the world today.
Knowing nothing about art history, this means little to me. Characters from girl in hyacinth blue final flashcards. Rising up to 610 inches tall 1525 cm, this hyacinth will naturalize in the right spot. She went to a broker and sold the painting but she sold the painting without any papers. This luminous story begins in the present day, when a professor invites a colleague to his home to see a painting that he has kept secret for decades. Susan vreeland imagined just such a humble domestic scene, suggested it was crea. A professor invites a colleague from the art department to.
The face of the girl in the painting almost glowed, her blue eyes, cheeks, the corners of her mouth all bright and glossy, the light coming right at her across the space between them. An interview with susan vreeland essential vermeer. Susan vreelands girl in hyacinth blue traces the changing ownership of a fictional vermeer painting over several centuries, from its creation to modern day, and fleshes out the. The book follows the owners of a painting by vermeer of the same name, from the present day back to the midseventeenth century when it was painted. The passion of artemisia is a fictionalised investigation of some aspects of the life of artemisia gentileschi, while the girl in hyacinth blue centres round an imaginary painting by vermeer. Editions of girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. The professor swears it is a vermeer but why has he hidden this important work for so long.
About this book named a best book of the year by publishers weekly, the christian science monitor, and the san francisco chronicle nominated for the book sense book of the year this luminous story begins in the present day, when a professor invites a colleague to his home to see a painting that he has kept secret for decades. The essential vermeer has the great pleasure of publishing an exclusive interview with susan vreeland, author of the girl in hyacinth blue. Unfortunately, the nearest museum does not have any vermeers, but this book inspired me to take my kids and appreciate art. Floating atop erect, lanceshaped bright green leaves, this beauty blooms for 23 weeks in mid spring. The hilarious second book in a middlegrade fantasy trilogy about the magical rivers that run through the sewers of london and shape history in ways youd never learn in school. When a bully turns into a target, its hard to know whom to blame. Susan vreeland is an internationally renowned bestselling author and fourtime winner of the theodor geisel award for fiction, the san diego book award s highest honor. This girl in hyacinth blue book is telling about a professor invites a colleague from the art department to his home to view a painting he has kept secret for decades in susan vreelands powerful historical novel, girl in hyacinth blue. So here you have itall the heavenly fragrance of the hyacinth and true blue, too. The full heads on these classic hyacinths look good in the garden or when forced in pots. The girl in hyacinth blue proceeds backward in time, following the history of one vermeer painting, of a girl in a blue wrap, inside of an open window. When a shy, privateschool math teacher, cornelius engelbrecht, discovers a canvas thought to be a vermeer, girl in hyacinth blue, a touching and beautifullywritten book, begins a fascinating journey back through time to trace the history of the painting. Explore teaching activities to extend and enrich the student understanding of the girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland.
I enjoyed girl in hyacinth blue, despite the fact that it was not as beautifully written as girl with a pearl earring. Having no blooms on hyacinths is a frustrating problem. The painting has enormous value in the present, but as the novel proceeds back to the time when it was painted, its value rises and falls based on whether its owners know where it came from, and whether they see any value in art. After dean merrills funeral, a few colleagues from the mathematics department are talking, and at some point, the conversation moves to last words spoken. This is the story of its owners whose lives are influenced by its beauty and mystery. I highly recommend listening to, rather than reading, this intriguing book. Such is the case of the vermeer painting, girl in hyacinth blue, as described by author susan vreeland. Girl in hyacinth blue is a 2000 novel by susan vreeland consisting of eight interlinked short stories. In the flower world, purple is common but blue is very rare. Characters from girl in hyacinth blue final quizlet. Free download or read online girl in hyacinth blue pdf epub book.
Start with the current owner of a beloved painting and move back in time to learn about its previous owners and its ultimate creative origin, expressed through what the painting means to them and how it affects their lives. The line between memory and imagination was muddled by years of intense rumination, of horrified reading, one book after another devoured with carnivorous urgencyhistories, personal accounts, diaries, documents, war novelsand cornelius could not be sure now what parts hed read. The paintingthis girl so simple in her dress and demeanorimmediately claims a space in each of her owners hearts and lives, as an intimate relationship is formed between objet dart and her possessor. If youve got lots of stalks, but no hyacinth flowers, run down this checklist before you panic.
Girl in hyacinth blue study questions essay 859 words. This chapter is presented as a journal belonging to adriaan kuypers. Oct 01, 2000 buy the paperback book girl in hyacinth blue by susan vreeland at indigo. Sarah louisa wheelock lives on a farm near a small village in michigan in the 1860s. Delcart and miss mcbane are travelling on the same ship. Hyacinth flowers not blooming is a common garden problem with many easy solutions, depending on the cause of your bloom failure. Hyacinth care indoors after flowering what to do with. As every reader finishes the novel i hope they will take the time to read the first two 2 sections of a penguin readers guide to girl in hyacinth blue by the author a reading group guide discussion i wish this section had a different name as since im not a book club participant i almost skipped it. If youd like to propagate more hyacinth bulbs, wait until late summer and gently lift the bulbs.
Girl in hyacinth blue is the title given to a fictitious work of art by the reallife painter jan vermeer, a 17th century dutch master who painted exquisite scenes of domestic middleclass life. Start studying characters from girl in hyacinth blue final. Now that hyacinth hayward knows about the enchanted rivers under london. First of all, the lost vermeer painting in susan vreelands novel girl in hyacinth blue is not a copy of an extant painting by vermeer. This painting seems to have a different effect on each of the owners. We consider ourselves a feminist press and are particularly interested in manuscripts dealing with topics such as radical spiritual experiences, creationinterpretation of myth through a feminist lens, and science. Murder and suicide dont make for an auspicious entree into motherhood, but thats how rebecca becomes the caretaker of her late best friends daughter, callie, when the girl is only 4. Several of her books deal with the relationship between art and fiction. Pdf girl in hyacinth blue book by susan vreeland free. Sep 02, 2002 unfortunately, the nearest museum does not have any vermeers, but this book inspired me to take my kids and appreciate art.
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