- Paperback: 316 pages
- Publisher: Saint Martin's Press; 1st St. Martin's Griffin Ed edition (May 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312131178
- ISBN-13: 978-0312131173
- Product Dimensions: 20.9 x 14 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 925,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although not a new one, the concept for this book is a good one: newly discovered and possibly fraudulent information regarding the life of a dead artist. Frans Hals was not a painter well known to me, but Kernan did a good job of bringing Hals' life in 17th-century Haarlem, Netherlands into vivid detail.
However, unfortunately, the character who is charged with translating the Diaries is neither compelling, nor does he make any important discoveries about said diaries. The whole concept would have been much different if the diaries shed some light on an unknown part of the artist's life. The diaries simply contain the comings and goings of an interesting character who happened to be a famous artist.
For an easy read, this certainly hits the spot - especially if your interest lies in the art of the Dutch Masters or in the history of the Netherlands. Otherwise I would recommend "Possession" by A.S. Byatt for a book in this genre that is both better written and much more satisfying.
Format:Paperback
This is a thoroughly enjoyable, wonderful story. I loved this book. I missed it when it first came out, maybe others did as well. It was a perfect August read but would be equally great on a rainy fall day. I didn't want to put it down, I became as engrossed in Hals life as van Overloop did. I want more from this author.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Completely engaging, original, pull-you-along fiction.
4 Sep 2000
Format:Paperback
I can't believe I let this book sit in my "to be read" pile for two years. I was sucked into the story right away. I don't know anything about painting or the Dutch, but this book is fantastic! Very funny and wonderfully detailed. I am SO intrigued by the author's mixing of fact and fiction. Time to do some sleuthing of my own on the internet...
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
YOU'LL LOVE GETTING LOST IN THESE DIARIES....
7 May 2006
Format:Paperback
I purchased this wonderful novel at a local library book sale. What a lucky day that was for me. From the first chapter, I fell under the spell of this marvelous storyteller, Michael Kernan.
He draws us into the story of an impoverished 20th century New York grad student hired to translate and document the validity of a set of diaries found in a barn that were purportedly written by Frans Hals, a contemporary of Vermeer. As he translates the documents the young student becomes captivated by the humor and insight with which Hals tells his story .... ..and honestly so did I.
Kernans writing is so alluring that upon finishing the story, I had an urge to book a flight to Amsterdam to view Hals paintings in person.
If you are an art history buff or just like a well written, engrossing tale......add this book to your list of "Books I Must Read".
He draws us into the story of an impoverished 20th century New York grad student hired to translate and document the validity of a set of diaries found in a barn that were purportedly written by Frans Hals, a contemporary of Vermeer. As he translates the documents the young student becomes captivated by the humor and insight with which Hals tells his story .... ..and honestly so did I.
Kernans writing is so alluring that upon finishing the story, I had an urge to book a flight to Amsterdam to view Hals paintings in person.
If you are an art history buff or just like a well written, engrossing tale......add this book to your list of "Books I Must Read".
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Interesting, seductive novel
14 Aug 1999
Format:Paperback
This book slowly seduces you into rooting for the diaries, the writer and the translator. Are the diaries by Frans Hals or not? You want them to be...but how could they be -- there is a separation of over 300 years! The author weaves an intricate pattern of present and past lives with the characters of Hals(?) and the translator. I read this in a week and just got SUCKED in. Buy and read if you like books with inserts from the past intermingled with the present.
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