Kate asked this question about Girl in Hyacinth Blue:
Hi there! Did anyone find any literary devices in Girl in Hyacinth Blue? Please let me know! I am struggling with it.
Claude Forthomme I think you still haven't got the answer to your question: what is the literary device used in this book? Well, basically, this is a collection of sho…moreI think you still haven't got the answer to your question: what is the literary device used in this book? Well, basically, this is a collection of short stories all inspired by one (hypothetical) painting. So the device is this: set up a painting (by a famous painter in this case, but it really could have been any painting or any object for that matter), and string together a set of stories concerning it.

In this case, Vreeland picked a famous artist (Vermeer) but she invented the painting; and she arranged her stories in inverted chronological order (i.e. starting with present day in the US) with respect to the (hypothetical) date and circumstances in which the painting was made (the 1600s in Holland).

Hope it helps!(less)
Image for Girl in Hyacinth Blue
Rate this book
Clear rating

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more