When I started reading this book, I wasn't initially sure what to make of it. The structure is unusual to me. We start with a prologue from the artist Johannes Vermeer, as he discovers in 1663 the idea for his picture, 'The Woman in Blue Reading a Letter'.

<blockquote>"But he also knows that all middle-of-the-night ideas seem brilliant when considered in the dark between sleeping and waking - those same ideas in the cold light of day less so. "</blockquote>

And then the story starts to alternate from a man, whom one assumes is moving towards older age, who comes to the museum in Amsterdam each day to visit the Woman in Blue; and Angelieke the woman who is depicted in the painting.

It unsettled me slightly, I like art, but to lean into it with the fascination and obsessive compulsion of the man, and for the woman in the painting to be able to read his thoughts and to contemplate him, while also telling her story from 350+ years ago, was a little destabilising and I wondered at the start whether the whole premise would spiral into something bizarre and unintelligible. But it doesn't, instead it weaves two unique stories together, both pulling strongly on what it is to love and how we make sense of that love as it evolves.

All the way through the book I was wondering where the story would go to. It is not long, and so it was a fast book to read and even if I wanted to, I couldn't put it down as my intrigue for how it would all resolve itself bore out.

In the end I could pick the ending prior to my arrival on both sides, but this didn't diminish the story, but rather I found the way it eased forward to the conclusions beautiful and peaceful, reminiscent of how this piece of art is often described.

The passages are evocative and whether they step you into the artwork or into day to day life, they are rich and full of colour, smell and emotion.

<blockquote>"And it was on Katrijn's hands, so that the lady of the house where she worked, not knowing it was Katrijn who smelled now of rosewater, remarked on the scent of roses faintly adrift on the air. 'It is a summer smell, roses and new-cut grass and ewes with their lambs' she said, and she imagined it was something that had been carried on the wind from somewhere far off, a place where it was always summer and there were always swallows throwing outsize geometry against the blue sky. The though made the lady of the house smile, and she carried that smile through the rest of that day and into the next".</blockquote>

After I finished the book, I went searching for more of Veneer's work and I really quite like it. The overall tone is a bit dark and sombre when you first look at them, but they are mysterious and quite often feature glorious blues and striking golds that leap out of the darkness. The way he captures his subjects, their character and poise is stunning, like you have caught them in the middle of doing or thinking something that is secret or half formed, is really exquisite, like Girl with the Pearl Earring, the Milk Maid, Dame on Spinet or The Art of Painting and of course, The Woman in Blue Reading a Letter.

An intriguing novella on what it is to love.

Many thanks to Fairlight Books and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy.

I really loved this novella. What an interesting premise, well written, charming story with an unusal twist. Highly recommend.

Woman in Blue is a captivating novella that beautifully explores the connection between art, love, and the passage of time. Bruton masterfully weaves together present-day Amsterdam and Vermeer’s 1600s studio, creating a poetic interplay between a man’s introspective gaze and the enigmatic figure in a painting.

The story delves into the profound impact of art, portraying it as a bridge that links emotions and lives across centuries. Through the man’s quiet contemplation of the Woman in Blue, Bruton reflects on themes of memory, love, and the inspiration drawn from creative works. The writing is thoughtful and evocative, inviting readers to ponder the way art resonates with our innermost feelings.

One of the most striking aspects of the novella is its treatment of the act of gazing. Here, it is not possessive or dominating but gentle and transformative, showcasing the beauty of appreciating art without claiming ownership. This perspective adds depth to the narrative, encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences with creativity and inspiration.

Overall, Woman in Blue is a meditative and thought-provoking story that celebrates the timeless dialogue between artist and observer, past and present, and love and longing. It’s an exquisite read for anyone who values the profound influence of art and storytelling.

If you haven’t been brought to tears by a painting, I highly recommend looking at more art in person. Museums and galleries are particularly awkward spaces to experience strong emotions, but it’s worth it.

In this novel a modern-day man in Amsterdam visits the Rijksmuseum to see the same 17th Century painting every day, The Woman in Blue. Meanwhile, the subject of the painting watches him, watching her without breaking her pose or the fourth wall. She also tells the story of how the artist Vermeer watched her and made her his model for the now famous artwork. In this way, she serves as a bridge across time between two creative men who project their own meanings onto her.

I was curious how this novel would deal with the male gaze, and while there’s a twist in the end that subverts the centrality of men in women’s stories, the writing is still mainly a meditation on men’s thoughts and feelings about women as they grapple with marriage and fatherhood.

I received a digital advance reader copy from Fairlight Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this worked well overall with the historical genre, it was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this story. Douglas Bruton has a strong writing style and was glad everything worked overall.

Because this book is literary fiction, I thought that it will take me at least a week to finish this. I love slogging through long, reflective passages and poring over every word.

But this was a surprisingly quick read! Bruton paced this so well that I keep wanting to turn to the next page and read what the other POV has to say.

I also love that this little book has deftly presented how we all want to be seen and loved.

This is a story with a lot of layers. I loved the alternating chapters/POV between present-day and the past at the time of Vermeer. The story features a man in present day who visits the Rijksmuseum on a nearly daily basis to vie and reflect on Vermeer's Woman in Blue painting. He's a bit obsessed. Then we hear the perspective of the woman in the painting - how she met Vermeer, her experience being the subject of the painting, and even her observations (from the painting) of the man in present-day who observes her.
There was a bit of an odd twist at the end. The story is atmospheric, and if you've been to Amsterdam and visited the Rijksmuseum, you'll appreciate stepping back into that environment and thinking about the details in Vermeer's work.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

A surprising two sided conversation between a writer and a painting, in which Bruton attempts to convey the extreme love for a work of art and the incredible charm and nostalgia it might provoke.

On top of all that, he accompanies the unnamed writer’s musings on <a href=https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/stories/themes/vermeer/story/all-vermeer-paintings-woman-in-blue-reading-a-letter><i>Woman Reading A Letter</i></a> with a fictionalised recreation of Vermeer’s painting process — very reminiscent of Tracy Chevalier’s <a href=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6997364-girl-with-the-pearl-earring?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_19><i>Girl With The Pearl Earring</i></a>, at least in subject matter.

The stories and the way they intersect remain shrouded in doubt, both because the historical events cannot be pinpointed with precision, but also because the fantastical elements stray away from the otherwise realistic setting. I found some of these elements to be a little too convenient at times, and put there simply as a way to facilitate the transition between the povs — said transitions also seemed too formulaic at times, but that was clearly done on purpose and it’s simply a matter of personal taste, I won’t begrudge the author for that.

All in all it was a placid novella about the grief of missed connections and what-could-have-beens, and the walls that separate even the closest of people. I don’t know if I truly got the precise feeling the author wanted to portray, but I had a nice time at least.

3.5

Access to the ARC acquired thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Woman in Blue by Douglas Bruton is a delicate and beautiful short story. The novel explores the connection between artist and muse, painting and audience and the legacy of creation. The story begins with a man who visits the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to view a painting by Vermeer called Woman in Blue Reading a Letter. It is a secret obsession as he finds himself irresistibly drawn to the woman in blue and recalls his past loves and losses. However, in this novel the Woman in the painting is looking back at her audience and recounting her own story beyond her frozen impression in the painting. The interwoven chapter and perspectives felt original and compelling and reflected audiences emotions as we look on artwork from the past and try to understand the truth and fiction, the intention and impression that lies behind each brushstroke. The writing is poetic and balanced and the story fast paced with short chapters that are connected. This work of contemporary and historical fiction is both imaginative and informative and I love how it explored expansive themes through the portal of a singular and extraordinary artwork 4 Stars ✨.

I’m a huge fan of Douglas Bruton’s writing and snapped up Woman in Blue as soon as it popped up on NetGalley. As some will have spotted from the cover, the titular woman is the subject of an exquisite Vermeer painting which hangs in the Rijksmuseum’s Gallery of Honour. Inspired by a visit to the 2023 Vermeer exhibition, Bruton’s brief novella imagines a man who pays daily visits to the museum to gaze at her and her response to that gaze.
The Man in Amsterdam, whose name we never know, is transfixed by the enigmatic woman in blue who reminds him a little of his first love. His visits are so regular, he’s beginning to arouse suspicion amongst the attendants. He and his wife have become a little distant although she knows not to ask him about his writing before its finished for fear his ideas will melt away.
The Woman in Blue is used to being admired, even loved. She’d formed a plan to become Vermeer’s model and perhaps something more. Every day she posed for him, dabbing a little rosewater on the neck which he’d requested to be exposed, worrying her mother about her reputation. Now she waits for the Man in Amsterdam knowing there will be a stream of others to love her when his visits cease.
Bruton alternates his narrative between these two. The Man in Amsterdam is engaged in a rich contemplation of this apparently simple painting which holds many secrets, complemented by the imagined story of the Woman in Blue and her relationship with her painter. There’s an intimacy between them: she waits for his visit, catching his thoughts, while he falls a little in love with her, removing his wedding ring before approaching the painting. A risky device but Bruton pulls it off beautifully. I’m already hoping he’s at work on his next book.

Woman in Blue by Douglas Bruton

The story of Vermeer's 'Woman Reading a Letter' painting told in alternating chapters by a man who goes to look at the painting every day in the Rijksmuseum and the woman in the painting, Lieke.

This novella is perfection! I read it in one go and loved every minute of it. It's a perfect demonstration of how a brilliant writer can do so much with so few words - short but very powerful. And the ending.... wow! I haven't come across this author before and am now really looking forward to reading his other books. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Quiet, gentle, kind, daring are just a few words that come to mind describing this delightful novella.
A Man Studies A Vermeer Painting In Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum vs. The Painting In Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum Observes The Man Studying Her.
What a fantastic concept! And while this exchange takes place in present day, the reader learns what really happened in Vermeer's studio in the late 1600's and how this painting came to be.
I couldn't put it down and the smile never left my face. The twist in the ending is phenominal, what a beauty!

Thank you Netgalley and Fairlight Books for the ARC.

2.5

Woman in Blue is a story about art and love, and how love is shown through art. Story follows Vermeer, his Woman in Blue and a man, centuries later, obsessing over picture of one woman dressed in a blue bed jacket reading a letter.

The premise is intriguing and I loved observations and commentary on the picture itself. Last chapter was phenomenal and brimming with emotions.

BUT the story lacked: woman’s POV chapters were plain and a bit irritating, some parts were not very believable, the prose is trying too hard to be poetic (though sometimes it succeeds).

All in all, interesting idea - not the best execution. Nevertheless, I would read more from the author and I encourage writing more of these original stories! I do recommend it if you are an art lover, but even if not the book is quite short (in the form of novella) and maybe it could give you a nudge towards this painter and his work.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Fairlight Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

" The Woman in Blue looks a little different each time I see her. Like something known and yet still like something new"

Douglas Bruton has created a beautiful mediation upon what it is to love and be loved; different types of love; to be spellbound in love and how love is this wonderful ephemeral feeling that weaves itself around our lives

The Woman in Blue Reading a Letter by Vermeer is s the focus of this slim but powerful novel- certainly a one-sit read for most impact.

Moving between the observations and emotions that bewitch a writer as he visits the painting each day in the Rijksmuseum and also the story of the young woman in the painting- as we witness the story behind the painting and her feelings as Vermeer endeavours to create his masterpiece but also the magical realism from the subject of the painting being very much aware of her modern day viewer and internally responding to his thoughts.

Comparisons could be made to the Girl with the Pearl Earring but that would be to miss the point of the novel- the transformative power of art ; as a passive viewer and for the 'sitter/subject' of a work.

How much time do we really devote to artworks in galleries? How much do we really immerse ourselves in the 'still ' beauty of a piece of art? How do we respond to the emotions that beauty can provoke within?

This is a sublime novel - sensitive, searching and hypnotic. Highly recommended to lovers of historical fiction; lovers of art ; lovers of the exploration of intimacy in the smallest moments