Is Rembrandt a sympathetic character or a self-centred genius?

The novel is narrated from two perspectives; first person narration from the point of view of Hendrickje Stoffels who works in Rembrandt’s house as a maid and third person narration. Who might the third person narrator be? What effect do the two different styles of narration have on the telling of the story?

Would you have rather lived as Rembrandt or Hendrickje?

How far should a historical novel stray from the facts (if at all)?

Why did Rembrandt paint and draw himself at least seventy-seven times throughout his life?

Part IV of the novel used to be called ‘Epilogue’. Would it have made any difference?

What would you have done if the man/woman you love had done something you find morally abhorrent?

How explicit or veiled should love scenes be in literary fiction?

Which part of the novel did you find the most difficult to read and why?

Which part of the novel did you find the most moving to read and why?