I Am Rembrandt's Daughter [Paperback]

Soon-to-be 14-year-old Cornelia van Rijn is having a rough time. Her beloved mother died of the plague a few years ago, and one of the only other meager suppliers of smiles in her life --- her lighthearted brother --- announces that he's getting married. This will leave Cornelia home alone with her grumpy, demanding father. Some might find her lucky to have such a famous and talented parent, the artist Rembrandt, despite the fact that he never married her mom, which caused a bit of a shocking conflict in late-1600s Amsterdam.

Cornelia, however, doesn't feel fortunate at all. Over the past few years, Rembrandt's paintings have lost their popularity; as he refuses to change his techniques, he has few buyers of his work. Rumors even float around that he is losing his sanity. Almost penniless and forced to move, only one of his students continues to study under him --- the serious and quiet Neel. Everyday he comes to learn from Rembrandt, and his small payment allows the family to scrape enough together to barely survive. But Cornelia thinks he's boring and tries to ignore him.

With so few people to talk to, Cornelia finds herself very lonely. When she was younger, she looked forward to seeing the stranger with the golden mustache walk by their home. He had a pleasant smile, and they shared a special gesture to say hello. But he also has disappeared from her life. At least she still has her loyal cat to keep her company.

Cornelia also regrets the huge distance Rembrandt has placed between them. She longs for the easy and close relationship he and her brother share. Rembrandt has often painted her brother, but not once has he painted her. She also finds herself yearning to pick up a brush and attempt painting herself, not just study his work over his shoulder. However, Rembrandt never once offers to teach her. She can never seem to find the courage to talk to him about these topics, so she suffers silently. Then Neel surprises her, suggesting and supporting her dream to paint. Maybe he isn't so boring and annoying as she once thought.

To add to the misery, more and more cases of sickness are popping up around the city. Many fear that the horrid plague has returned. But then Cornelia finds a new source of smiles --- the handsome and rich Carel. She first notices him at her brother's wedding, and since then, he makes special efforts to come visit her. She lives for their strolls together along the canals, sharing thoughts on art and issues.

Cornelia tries to ignore the nagging doubt in her gut when she finds out that Carel's family supplies ships to slave traders. His lack of concern for the slaves' welfare puts doubt in her mind and heart, yet she pushes it aside. Cornelia dreams that one day they might get married. But when her father discovers how serious she has become, he mysteriously forbids her to see him again, without any explanation as to why. Cornelia refuses to give up the one bright spot in her life and sneaks away to continue seeing Carel.

Then tragedy strikes close to the heart, and Cornelia's brother falls deathly ill. Could it be the plague? Cornelia desperately reaches out for love and support as she nurses her brother. Who will answer her call?

I AM REMBRANDT'S DAUGHTER is fiction but is closely based on real-life events; almost all of the characters depicted once lived and breathed. Lynn Cullen has woven carefully researched facts together with imaginative page-turning scenes to create a beautiful story. She alternates chapters with flashbacks to Cornelia's childhood, slowly filling in the confusing gaps that the adults in her life have created for her. Cullen's eloquent descriptions paint perfect scenes of 17th-century Amsterdam for readers to imagine. A wonderful book

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

Fourteen-year-old Cornelia van Rijn finds herself without a friend after her mother's death of the plague and her beloved older brother recent marriage. She is left with her difficult father-the once famous Rembrandt, who is teetering on madness. She must take care of him though he barely acknowledges her existence. But she finds mysteries which involve her mother. Her only hapiness comes in a growing relationship with Carel, the son of a wealthy shipping magnante, whoes passion for art stirs her. Then there is the Neel, her father's last pupil, whose steadfast devotion to Rembrandt both touches and baffles her.

I AM REMBRANDT'S DAUGHTER is a historical tale that takes the reader to 17th century Amsterdam. This story is based on real characters and is fill with rich details of the life of a teen during this time. Lynn Cullen does a great job conveying the struggles a young girl has with her passion for art and the desire for her father to recognize her. I'd highly recommend this book to fans of Jane Austen.

I thought this novel was wonderfully done. It has a combination of facts and fiction which is woven most delicatly into the books fabric- though I do think Lynn Cullen could have done a little better with how to arrange the drama of the book to make more of an impact it was still great. Almost perfect in fact. I strongly recommend reading this book, it isnt the type to strain ones emotions but does provoke you enough to feel some and keep reading. There is even a few times in this book that I got goose bumps. In the end the book was brilliant.
Also a nice side note, I have done research on Rembrandt an many of the things in the book are true, he did have a bastard daughter named Cornelia with his maidservant and a son named Titus etc. etc.

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