I Am Rembrant's Daughter by Lynn Cullen
Reviewed by Bronte
First, amazing title, so strong and poignant. It was a good story, a historical fiction coming of age and mystery story rather than an adventure story. Using actual people as characters, Cullen weaves a plot that could have happened. She takes her inspiration from Rembrandt's paintings and actual events, and makes a story about a young girl living in the shadow of her father's former glory.
Cornelia is a mousy sort of heroine who lives in the background of others' brilliance. We see flashbacks of her earlier life through separate chapters about certain paintings of her father's.
It was interesting to see Holland at that time and to find out how what they thought of Rembrandt. They preferred other artists, but now we know his name but not the ones they thought better than him. That made me think about how people will see our artists in later years and wonder how it will differ from our view of them.
Anyway, it was a little dull at some parts but still I wanted to know what finally happened to her. It was a worthwhile read, but I would not read it again. I would recommend it to young girls (12-13).
Posted by at January 13, 2010 02:35 PM