Bride to Rembrandt proces strongest when illuminating the romantic relationship between Robert and Saskia, which metamorphosizes each time Robert travels back in time. By the end of the book, readers will feel genuine regard for these two time travelers, as well as hope that they will end up happy together. Narrative momentum suffers, though, from Foley’s disparate interests, which don’t always fit seamlessly together: the love story, Robert’s interest in painting, the logic of time travelling, and his diabetic problems. Foley’s prose exhibits a light touch (on IKEA: “The flat-pack packaging was a genial invention that led to the love–hate relationship with the Allen key, and a lot of domestic arguments.”) though some dialogue edges toward the unnatural.
The story gathers welcome momentum towards the second half, propelling readers into Robert and Saskia’s precarious adventures through time. Foley spices it all with little-known social, historical, and architectural tidbits about Amsterdam, a piquant introduction to the city for the uninitiated. Rembrandt is not as central to the narrative as the title suggests, but he plays a significant role in the climax. Lovers of romance, art, and European history will find much to enjoy here.
Takeaway: This Amsterdam time-travel novel takes an ambitious dive into love, history, and art.
Great for fans of: Jack Finney’s Time and Again, Sylvie Matton’s Rembrandt’s Whore.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B
