Praise
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 October 2021
Immobilised in hospital for over a month I was desperate for something unreal to distract me, and was sent this novel. The author’s name intrigued me as they are family names, so I made a start. Most time travel novels that I have read have been too far fetched, but this one resonated with my life. I travel virtually with an online company, and was hugely supported in hospital by the guide from Amsterdam. He too ran several businesses and was married. Then the novel really took over. Nelson took me to many of the places I had just visited online, so it was easy to imagine myself there. Crossing that bridge….oh yes…that was the catalyst in my life and in Robert’s so the time travelling was feasible in my pain addled mind.
This novel has been well researched and problems attacked head on, such as the lack of money, medicines or appropriate clothing. Most time travelling novels ignore these, to concentrate on the romantic side, so it was refreshing to read a novel that understood these problems and took place during known historical events. Even better, it was well written, so I didn’t discard it in frustration because of bad spelling and grammar. It took me several days to read as I was so ill, but the storyline was gripping enough to make me want to reach the end. Then I was disappointed. I wanted more, or a sequel. Nelson, you can’t leave us here, wanting more!
Reading this book was the happy result of doing an alphabet reading challenge: I needed an "F" author. The book uses time travel and art history to explore the city of Amsterdam. Nicely done! This was a very enjoyable read. Recommended with 4 🌟 stars.
Nelson K. Foley’s “The Bridge to Rembrandt” is a masterful blend of historical fiction, time travel, and romance that immerses the reader in the rich tapestry of Amsterdam’s past. The novel follows Robert, a modern-day man grappling with diabetes, whose accidental time-travel adventures plunge him into some of the most turbulent periods in Dutch history.
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From the moment Robert finds himself whisked away from his contemporary life, the reader is drawn into a vividly detailed Amsterdam, teeming with life and shadowed by the specters of wartime, riots, famine, and the plague. Foley’s meticulous research and evocative descriptions bring each era to life, making the historical settings as much a character in the story as the people themselves.
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The heart of the novel lies in Robert’s recurring encounters with a mysterious woman and his entanglement with the legacy of Rembrandt van Rijn. Each time he travels back in time, Robert’s interactions with this enigmatic figure deepen, raising questions about fate, identity, and the nature of love. Is this woman the same person across different timelines, or is she a different incarnation of an eternal bond? Foley skillfully weaves these threads into a narrative that keeps the reader guessing and invested in Robert’s journey.
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Robert’s struggle with diabetes adds a layer of tension and urgency to the story. The precarious nature of his condition, especially in an era devoid of modern medical conveniences, highlights the stark differences between past and present. Foley does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of historical life. “The Bridge to Rembrandt” is a captivating tale that not only entertains but also provokes thought about the nature of time, love, and human resilience.