I am Rembrandt’s Daughter by Lynn Cullen

I read a book called Mrs. Poe earlier in the year and reviewed it. I said at that point that I thought I had found an author who I adored. It turns out I was right. I just finished reading I am Rembrandt’s daughter by the same author, Lynn Cullen and once again she has made me stand back in awe. Here is my review:
I am Rembrandt’s Daughter by Lynn Cullen

This book is an example of why I am a hypocrite. Really, and here’s why. I write reviews and I constantly tell people how important they are, but then I read a book like this, disagree with many of the other reviews and shake my head at people. In other words, I disregard everything I read and come to my own conclusion. Now about the book:

I fell in love with this book just as assuredly as I fell in love with the last book I read by Lynn Cullen (Mrs. Poe.) I believe this book was marketed as a young adult read, but I felt it had much more depth than one usually finds in that category, so if the YA books tend to turn your head away, please give this one a second look anyway.

Cornelia is a beautiful, strong and capable character. She has the wit and intellect to handle such a strong role as being Rembrandt’s daughter. Lynn Cullen has a way of letting the reader inside the minds of her characters so that they can experience their emotions and see through their eyes. She makes you feel like you are part of the ongoing story rather than just a bystander. I felt that way with this story.

I love when you read something and you just know that it must have been important to the author at the time that they wrote it. This book has some absolutely beautiful passages that support a strong story that gets stronger as the book progresses. I enjoyed watching the characters mature and grow throughout the telling.

The struggle of Cornelia loving her father even through shame, humiliation and ridicule from others was incredibly well written. I felt sympathy toward her and her situation and by the end of the book, I only wanted what was best for her.

The secondary characters in this story are also well penned and help to shed light on Cornelia’s character and determination. I loved the setting and the historical research the author did was clearly more than adequate. This book is beautiful, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in the historical period.