This internationally acclaimed novel is the fictional monologue of Hendrickje Stoffels, Rembrandt's last mistress. It combines all the qualities of a naturalist tragedy, historical novel and exposition of seventeenth-century Dutch society. Matton has researched not only Rembrandt's life and works, but also contemporary Amsterdam and the Black Death to provide an intriguing, intimate and privileged view into the painter's life. Above all, this is Hendrickje's story. A sensitive innocent, she escapes the harsh realities of her garrison home-town to become a servant in Rembrandt's household. She soon becomes his lover and closest confidante, filling the void in his life resulting from the death of his wife and two of their children. 'Reborn at twenty' in Rembrandt's studio, enlightened by the positive values of beauty, truth, love and art, Hendrickje is fated to discover the hypocrisy and fickleness of Amsterdam society, which ostracises her and precipitates Rembrandt's final collapse. In a serene, sensuous style of writing, Matton paints a powerful fictional portrait of this impassioned relationship in the fascinating context of a turbulent era of Dutch history.
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* Matton's novel has been assiduously researched, and she memorably evokes the cruelties and hardships of everyday life 300 years ago. Mail on Sunday * Matton has created a work of incredible beauty, juxtaposing the darkness of a society riddled with Black Death with the passion shared by the painter and his muse. Bizarre * A precious alloy of human interest, detailed historical research and inspired sensitivity to Rembrandt's work ... the writing is as careful and subtle as the master's paintings. Magazine Litteraire, France
About the Author
Syvlie Matton is the author of a previous novel, L'Econduit (1997). With her husband, the artist and film-maker Charles Matton, she worked for two years on a feature-length film on the life of Rembrandt, premiered in Britain in 2001.
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I ordered this book in the hope that it would be in the same category as Tracy Chevalier's "Girl With a Pear Earing" or "Tulip Fever" by Deborah Moggach. It is the story of Hendrickje Stoffels, Rembrandt's model and lover, her treatment by the society of the time and the financial ruin of Rembrandt which follows.
I'm afraid I was disappointed by this book on two main counts. Try as I may, I didn't find the heroine terribly attractive and by the end of the book I really knew little more about her than at the beginning. Yes - I knew of her passion, almost the pain she feels for Rembrandt,and yes I knew of solidarity and closeness within their household against the hypocrisy and cruelty of Amsterdam society. But for all of that it is hard to know why Rembrandt fell for her in the way he did - presumably for her lack of artiface. However,I'm sorry to say that I found her unconvincing and her personal thoughts and fears laboured. Secondly, I didn't feel that I really got to know Rembrandt or his work through this book. Yes I know more biographical details and did get a feel for life in 17th centrury Amsterdam, but can't honestly say that I have been able to look at the artist's work with fresh eyes. Perhaps I was hoping for too much.
My final comment may seem a little contradictory. I found the historical details, no doubt authentic in themselves, somewhat artifical in their placement in the book. It was almost as if they had been added to give a scholarly gloss.
I found the book overlong and at times repetitive; tighter editing would have let the moments of beauty within the book shine from the darker passages. For all of my criticisms still worthy of a read.
I'm afraid I was disappointed by this book on two main counts. Try as I may, I didn't find the heroine terribly attractive and by the end of the book I really knew little more about her than at the beginning. Yes - I knew of her passion, almost the pain she feels for Rembrandt,and yes I knew of solidarity and closeness within their household against the hypocrisy and cruelty of Amsterdam society. But for all of that it is hard to know why Rembrandt fell for her in the way he did - presumably for her lack of artiface. However,I'm sorry to say that I found her unconvincing and her personal thoughts and fears laboured. Secondly, I didn't feel that I really got to know Rembrandt or his work through this book. Yes I know more biographical details and did get a feel for life in 17th centrury Amsterdam, but can't honestly say that I have been able to look at the artist's work with fresh eyes. Perhaps I was hoping for too much.
My final comment may seem a little contradictory. I found the historical details, no doubt authentic in themselves, somewhat artifical in their placement in the book. It was almost as if they had been added to give a scholarly gloss.
I found the book overlong and at times repetitive; tighter editing would have let the moments of beauty within the book shine from the darker passages. For all of my criticisms still worthy of a read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It has just taken me 3 weeks to get to the end of this 190 page book. What a struggle!
The overly poetic style, repetitions and jumble of references to the bible, Rembrandt's paintings and the current time, made every paragraph a labour.
It has, however, left me with an interesting view of the 14years Rembrandt spent with Hedrickje Stoffels, his common law wife from 1649, when she arrived at the house as an innocent young girl, his new maid, until 1663, when she died of the plague.
Because of the views of the time, Hendrickje was labelled a whore and the disapproval of Amsterdam society paid a large part in the decline in Rembrandt's fortunes.
Whilst I would not recommend this book, if you are fascinated by Rembrandt and enjoy this poetic style of writing, then it may be worth the effort.
The overly poetic style, repetitions and jumble of references to the bible, Rembrandt's paintings and the current time, made every paragraph a labour.
It has, however, left me with an interesting view of the 14years Rembrandt spent with Hedrickje Stoffels, his common law wife from 1649, when she arrived at the house as an innocent young girl, his new maid, until 1663, when she died of the plague.
Because of the views of the time, Hendrickje was labelled a whore and the disapproval of Amsterdam society paid a large part in the decline in Rembrandt's fortunes.
Whilst I would not recommend this book, if you are fascinated by Rembrandt and enjoy this poetic style of writing, then it may be worth the effort.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book, having read, The girl with the Pearl Earring, I was looking forward to it.
It is not written in a straight forward story book way but from the thoughts of the heroine herself.
A wonderful translation into english and highly recommended. Also it is quite short. Many questions are left unanswered, and this will trigger the need for further research by the reader.
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