|
|
|
|
|
These days, it seems like
historical fiction authors can’t get enough of Dutch history—or the 17th century Dutch
artists. Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl
Earring (which is now a movie with Scarlett
Johanssen and Colin Firth), Susan Vreeland’s Girl in Hyacinth Blue (made into the
made-for-TV film, Brush with
Fate), and Deborah Moggach’s Tulip Fever (also with a movie in the
works—starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law, and Jim Broadbent) all focus on the Dutch. And
as a Dutch-American (a very proud one at that) who absolutely adores her Motherland, I
couldn’t be happier.
Unlike the two Girls (both of which focus on
Johannes Vermeer of Delft), Tulip Fever takes place in Amsterdam in 1636, when
commissioned paintings were in high demand and tulip bulbs were making wealthy men out of
commoners. Cornelis Sandvoort, a wealthy old merchant, commissions painter Jan van Loos
to paint Cornelis and his young and beautiful wife, Sophia—to make them immortal. But
during the hours when Jan is painting the Sandvoorts, he and Sophia fall in love. As
their affair continues and their love deepens, Jan and Sophia carefully devise a plan to
leave Amsterdam—and Sophia’s boring old husband—behind forever. All they need are a few
tulip bulbs and the aid of Sophia’s maid, Maria.
Tulip Fever is
an enchanting novel. It’s elegant and sensual—with just the right amount of suspense to
keep you turning the pages until the very end. Before you know it, it’ll be over—it’s
such a quick read—and you’ll come out of the trance in which the story held you, ready to
book a flight to Amsterdam so you can walk through the streets and smell the tulips and
see the paintings...
|
|
|
|
