Girl in Hyacinth Blue

By: Susan Vreeland

Narrated by: Jennifer Baum, Gigi Bermingham, J. D. Cullum

A professor shows a colleague a painting that he has kept secret for decades. The professor swears it is a Vermeer - but 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.

©1999 Susan Vreeland (P)2001 Highbridge Company

Critic reviews

"Intelligent, searching, and unusual...filled with luminous moments...it has a way of lingering in the reader's mind." (The New York Times Book Review)
"One of the best books of the year." (Publishers Weekly)

wonderful

Thought that this was very well done and the readers were excellent. Great story very engaging

Introduction to Vermeer

I first read this novel in 2002 when I picked it off the paperback case at a local Borders book store. Remember
those days? I was not familiar with Vermeer, but I was aware of the many crimes of the Nazis. At first, it was
the painting itself, which I didn't realize was fictional. So that lead to an interest in the artist's life and works. The
novel remained a favorite for 20 yrs, and I enjoyed the journey a second time around. I have lost my vision, so the
audio versions can often give an old read a new feel.

You are there

Any additional comments?

This is a terrific book. I usually transfer 3-4 audiobooks to CD yearly for a listen down the road and this made the grade. It is quite simply, enthralling in its ability to communicate feeling, content and style as only a studied pro in the arms of a loving muse could do. I took time off from grad school to learn Dutch and travel through the Lowlands viewing Flemish art. This book is the closest thing I know to any device that can effectively give one the feeling I got during that wonderful period. It captures mood exquisitely. It transports one back in time as great lit should. The pacing, the words chosen, the phrasing -- all of it, subtle, yet powerfully effective. It doesn???t scream ???look how wonderfully I???ve done this,??? but it does. If this is new terrain for you, it may take awhile to ???get there.??? Given that ???there??? doesn???t exist anymore, it is worth the effort at 10x the price.

A tale well told

I enjoyed the detail of the narrative which mirrored the detail of Vermeer' s work with sensitivity. The story unfolded with mystery . I enjoyed the historical descriptions of the Dutch ethos which explains so much of the art as well as the set up of the world we have now. I enjoyed how the subtle strands relating to many facets of love were woven through the story with a light but deep touch. Since I know that very little is actually known about Vermeer' s life, the artistic liberty of historical fiction did not ruin my enjoyment. The insights into the quietude of Vermeer's work were more important and plausible.

Love love love

I used this audio book as I followed along in the purchased Apple book app! My favorite voice and story was the “Hyacinth Blues”! I fell in love with this story because I was drawn in by the narrator! Such character and sass! Great expression!